© National Museums Liverpool
Exhibition Preview: Titanic, Lusitania and the Forgotten Empress is running at The Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool.
The Merseyside Maritime Museum is playing host to a selection of fascinating objects salvaged from the wreck of the Titanic.
The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 and now lies 2.5 miles down on the ocean floor.
The new exhibits include a wristwatch, spectacles, a White Star Line cup, lead ventilation grill, a gold wristwatch, five tiepins and a five-dollar bank note.
Dr Alan Scarth, curator of the Titanic exhibition says: “These objects are very evocative of the most famous shipwreck of all time. The personal items are particularly moving because they represent the terrible human cost of the disaster.”
© National Museums Liverpool
A total of 1,500 lives were lost when the titanic sank. The bow and stern sections of the ship broke apart and now lie 1,970 ft apart on the ocean floor, surrounded by debris.
Dr Bob Ballard first discovered the wreck in 1985 after an extensive search and since then, numerous expeditions have been down to explore the Titanic.
The exhibition items had been presented to the Liverpool and London Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association, which has loaned them to the museum.
The Association – based in Water Street, Liverpool settled compensation claims from crew and passengers in the aftermath of the liner's sinking.
Legendary White Star Line Chief, Thomas Ismay, founded the association in 1881 with other steam ship owners from Liverpool and London.
For more information on the exhibition or the Merseyside Maritime Museum go to www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or call 0151 478 4499.
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