| LATEST NEWS 26th June 2008 SS NOMADIC TO RETURN TO ‘BIRTHPLACE’ Belfast Port & Titanic Quarter to Refurbish Dry Dock
The Society is fully behind the Nomadic Trust in its efforts to restore this unique piece of Titanic & Belfast's maritime history. Let today been seen as the start of next phase on a very important voyage ... that of Nomadic to her former glory. SS Nomadic, the Titanic’s tender ship, is set to return to the dry dock which played a part in her construction in 1911. The 141 year old Hamilton Graving Dock, which is now part of Titanic Quarter, is being brought back to life thanks to a £350,000 refurbishment project led by the Port of Belfast and Titanic Quarter Ltd. Hamilton Graving Dock, located at Abercorn Basin behind the Odyssey, hasn’t been used commercially in over 15 years. The work will focus on providing a temporary new dock gate which will hold back up to 12ft of sea water. It’s expected that the Nomadic will return ’home’ before the end of the year.
Roy Adair, CEO of the Port of Belfast, said: “The 450 ft long Hamilton Graving Dock was originally constructed by the Port in 1867 – the first dry dock to be built on the County Down side of the Port and a major stimulus for the shipbuilding boom which was to define Belfast. “It’s very fitting therefore that the Port is helping to refurbish the dock to celebrate both the Nomadic’s and Belfast’s Titanic heritage as part of our co-promotion of Titanic Quarter.” Mike Smith, Titanic Quarter’s CEO added: “Located within sight of the first residential development at Titanic Quarter, the arrival of SS Nomadic will mark an important landmark in the Port’s and our ambition to ensure that Titanic Quarter reflects the maritime character of Queen’s Island. “Work is also planned to restore the Titanic’s Drawing Office, create a new public space centred on the Titanic’s slipway and, of course, the Titanic Signature Project. Together with the Nomadic, these developments will help make Belfast the No.1 Titanic attraction in the world.” Denis Rooney, Chairman of the SS Nomadic Charitable Trust, which is responsible for restoring the vessel, believes that Nomadic’s permanent, new berth at Hamilton Dock will provide clarity and focus to the project: “The Trust is delighted to reach the next milestone in Nomadic’s restoration and bring to a close the long debate and speculation about her future home. “The Hamilton Dock will provide a permanent base for Nomadic, both for restoration work to be carried out and further down the line, as a location for visitors to board her. Securing the dock is great news that will allow the Trust to proceed with major funding applications. On behalf of the Trust, I’d like to sincerely thank the Port of Belfast and Titanic Quarter for their generous support.” At present the Nomadic is currently berthed at Barnett Dock within an operational area of the Port. While it will not be possible to open her to the public this year, it is believed that the move to Hamilton Graving Dock will significantly boost the programme of work on the ship and facilitate her re-opening at some stage next year. The Department for Social Development, which retains ownership of the vessel, is pleased that the Trust is making sufficient progress to remain on target to meet its 2011 completion objective. Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie explains: “Significant progress has been made since Nomadic moved to Barnett Dock last winter – fundraising and project management teams have been appointed, marine engineer assessments have been conducted, funding applications have been submitted and the Trust is currently procuring consultants to conduct a conservation management plan. The consideration of suitable berths has also been a priority and I’m delighted that this has resulted in a permanent home at Hamilton Dock.” The Hamilton Graving Dock was built in 1867 along with 12-acres of sheltered water at Abercorn Basin. As well as the Nomadic, which was used for the Titanic’s 1st & 2nd Class passengers, another Titanic tender, the less luxurious SS Traffic, used by 3rd Class passengers, is also believed to have been completed in the dock. The Hamilton Dock was still operational in the early 1990s when it was used for ship repair.
11th June 2008
Kabosh presents: Henry & Harriet "A delicious entertainment – part thriller, part guided tour, part history lesson" Culture Northern Ireland Theatrical walking tour set in Belfast 1912 produced by award-winning Kabosh Duration 75 minutes Performances 12noon, 12.40, 1.20, 3.20, 4.00 and 4.40 A thrilling, tragic love story, Henry and Harriet tells of an ordinary man whose life changes for ever in the course of one short hour. Performed within four shops, each still open and located within the Cathedral Quarter, Kabosh takes the audience on an adventure into the world of Home Rule, emigration and that doomed floating cathedral, SS Titanic. Performances of Henry & Harriet are on the following Sundays in July and August Sunday 20th & 27th July and 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st August Ticket Cost: £10.00 Tickets can be booked through Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 90246609
18th April 2008 Titanic Memorial at Belfast City Hall.
29th February 2008 Avalon Guitars A Tribute to Belfast
But let's talk about this special guitar. Well, we were contacted by Colin Magee from the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival to build a one-off guitar that had some feature or design that would represent an aspect of Belfast, I put this idea to our craftsmen and one of our luthier's, and Belfast man, Mark Lyttle quickly drew the headstock inlay showing the Titanic and one of the H&W cranes, we all agreed that what better testament to Belfast history than ship building, after all we were the best at it! And that was it ... decision made. Next was choosing the materials and get the job done. We choose various types of Mother of Pearl, Bone, Ivoroid and Ebony for the inlay and gave the task to one of our best craftsmen Balazs Prohaszka, a Hungarian guitar builder who has been with us for 5 years, artwork and design flow through his veins so he was the natural choice for the job. All in all, the inlay took over a week to inlay starting at the bottom with the waves, gradually adding piece by piece until the task finished. Each piece was hand cut from raw material to fit. 2008 is a big anniversary year for us, 20 years of making some of the worlds finest hand made guitars and only a couple of months ago we were awarded "guitar of the year" for our new Americana model and then to start 2008 with a great commissioned piece such as the "Belfast" guitar well ... we're very happy as you can guess. Best regards, Jim Black, General Manager Avalon Guitars, www.avalonguitars.com 5th February 2008 Obituary Ralph White Ralph White, great explorer of the deep, cameraman and member of the worldwide Titanic family, passed away last night in Los Angeles surrounded by friends and family after a series of heart failures over the last 48 hours. I have met Ralph when he visited Belfast a number of years ago. I was informed of his death by his friend, Irish Diver Rory Golden who, knowing Ralph better, sent this tribute: “Ralph was a man who lived life to the full, and was currently working with James Cameron on a sci-fi movie. He was on duty the night Titanic was found in 1985, and made over 35 dives to the wreck between then and 2005. My friend and mentor since 1988 when we brought him to speak at Underwater Ireland, he loved visiting this country. He had an equal passion for Titanic, and his home reflected this, covered in mementoes of his expeditions. Thanks to him, I was very lucky to have the experience of being to Titanic twice. I will miss him so much and will honour his name when I speak with Mike McKimm at the dive show in Belfast on Feb 24th.next.” Our thoughts are with Ralph’s family and friends at this very difficult time. Una Reilly, Chairman
No iceberg in sight for Belfast’s Titanic Signature Project. On 18th October, news was received that Belfast’s bid, for £25 million from the Big Lottery Fund for a Titanic Signature Project, had missed out on the final shortlist. The £90 million project had already been promised the rest of the funding from local Government, Titanic Quarter Ltd and Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Brian Ambrose, Chairman of the Titanic Foundation, was disappointed but remained optimistic for the future “The project is at an advanced stage of development and has secured huge commitment from Government, the private sector and the community – there are simply new challenges to face”. He went on to say that public support for the project, over recent months, had given him the determination to deliver. “We will simply regroup and redouble our efforts and find a way to deliver this exciting project in time for the 2012 centenary” Tourism Minister Nigel Dodds expressed his faith in the project and “would now consider the implications of the Lottery decision ….which will include exploring the scope for bringing other funding sources into play.” Mike Smith, chief executive of Titanic Quarter Ltd said he was disappointed but that this “...is not the end of the road. Titanic Quarter and its co-promoter Belfast Harbour Commissioners will be talking to Government about how we can progress matters in the absence of funds from the Big Lottery. Belfast has a fantastic maritime heritage – it’s a story which we believe has international appeal and which is worth telling” A great deal of hard work went into preparing the bid and this should be recognised and acted upon. It is a project which will not only attract visitors from around the world but will inform, educate and entertain nearer home. It is uplifting to hear the main bodies involved being so optimistic for the future. I think we should applaud those involved for all their efforts and encourage and support them in their endeavours to secure the shortfall in funding. There should be news in the next few months. There is still a deadline to meet. Iconic Building Design. There has been some debate about the design of the proposed Iconic building to be built at the head of the old Slipways from which Olympic, Titanic & Britannic , along with many other ships, were launched. What has this apparently space age construction got to do with Belfast’s proud shipbuilding history that gave rise to, amongst others, Oceanic, Teutonic and Nomadic? Perhaps the following images will set all in context.
Wooden Gantries … in Belfast at end of 19th century The proposed Iconic Building … in Belfast at the beginning of the 21st century. Creating the future from the past. This surely is a classical example of literally building on the glories of the past to reflect a future in which we all take pride. This Titanic Project Signature is not just about Titanic but the incredible maritime history of Belfast, a city with no raw materials, initially no skilled labour force and at one of the most westerly points of the then British Empire … a shipbuilding success story reflecting the grit and determination of the fledgling city of Belfast and its citizens… a titanic achievement indeed. The Death of Barbara Dainton, Titanic Survivor
The family never spoke publicly of the tragedy that changed their lives but remained very private people. At her own request, the news of Mrs Dainton’s death, on October 16th, was not made known until after her funeral in Truro, Cornwall where she had lived. The service on November 5th was held in Truro Cathedral where there is a memorial to her father. Our thoughts are with the family. The last remaining survivor of the Titanic tragedy is 95 year old Miss Millvina Dean who lives in Southampton.
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We are delighted that Nomadic
has now got a permanent home, thanks to TQL & BHC. It is only fitting that
she be restored in the area where she was built ... ... the old H&W
shipyard... what other city could offer that?
On the 15th April, the
Society held its annual commemoration service at the Titanic Memorial in the
grounds of Belfast City Hall. Present were John Andrews, President & great
nephew of Thomas Andrews, Susie Millar, great grand daughter of Tommy
Millar, of the "Two Pennies" story and Belfast Lord Mayor, Jim Rogers. It
was a quiet, simple family occasion when relatives, on behalf of the
Society, laid a wreath in memory of those who died in the sinking. The Lord
Mayor laid one on behalf of the citizens of Titanic city, Belfast. A period
of silence followed the laying of the wreaths, to allow private
contemplation of the events 96 years ago. It was a very dignified event.
The sad news was received
that one of the two remaining Titanic survivors had died in England. Mrs
Barbara Dainton nee West had travelled on Titanic as a 2nd Class
passenger, when a baby of just under a year. She was born on 24th
May 1911 in Bournemouth and was going to America with her parents, Edwy and
Ada and older sister Constance. Her mother was pregnant at the time and
returned home after the disaster which had taken her husband from her. The
young widow later gave birth to a third daughter.