Press Release: Doubts About Titanic Expedition (28 Jul 2010, Seawise & Titanic)
[The following press release was received via email. Since it was not from a copyrighted news
source, the full release is appended. As with all press releases, all information contained is from the source and does not the reflect the views of the distributor or news agency that reports them.]

Press release 28th July 2010

          RMS Titanic Inc’s press release yesterday about conducting a survey next month on the famous wreck has guaranteed a lot of public interest and not all favourable. The company’s finances have been in question, like those of her parent company, Premier Exhibitions Inc. making people wonder how they have managed to attract enough investors to pay for this trip. As there are well known attempts by RMS Titanic Inc. to try and claim ownership of artefacts they have recovered in the past and mentions of using money from expected salvage awards, it would be fair to assume this is how they intend to fund themselves. However, there is a big problem that appears to have been overlooked. They have never been granted these rights through the courts and who would lose out most if the survey does not go ahead or fails? Would they go bankrupt?

           On 26th October 2009 RMS Titanic Inc. addressed a court in Norfolk, Virginia to establish their claims and are still waiting for the judge’s announcement. For whatever reason, they mentioned the name of our group, Seawise & Titanic (Douglas J. Faulkner-Woolley), as contesting their claims to ownership of the wreck and for salvage rights of the Titanic but we also the Queen Elizabeth (Seawise University), which is now based in Hong Kong harbour. We were completely unaware of this until a reporter from an international Irish newspaper telephoned us to ask some questions and filled us in with what had happened. As a result, we sent a file of legal documents to the court stating our claims dating back to 1972 and affidavits signed through legal courts dated 1984, seven years after the Titanic was located and photographed by HMS Hecate, a Royal Navy ship under the title of ‘The SOLLIS Project’, and a year before Dr. Robert Ballard’s expedition to Titanic in 1985. For more details go to the website www.swsalvors.co.uk. Our claims have yet to be dismissed, either since 1972 or through this present time.

              Seawise & Titanic has it’s own expedition to Titanic planned in the near future to do a full 3D survey, with the latest technology developed in Britain, a well-known television company based in London and an internationally famous television network to show our pioneering work to the world’s audience.

Yours faithfully,

Timothy L. Coyle

Press Officer

Seawise & Titanic


Statue Of Captain Smith Of The Titanic Is Restored (28 Jul 2010, BBC News)
A famous bronze statue of Captain Smith, master of the ill-fated Titanic ship, has a new look. The statue, which was erected in Beacon Park in Lichfield in 1914, has been restored, as part of a project to improve the cathedral area of the city. It was created by a famous sculptor of the time, Lady Kathleen Scott. Lady Scott knew herself of the grief of losing a man to his duty; she was the widow of Robert Falcon Scott, the doomed Captain Scott of the Antarctic.

25 Years After Titanic's Discovery, New Expedition Seeks To Virtually Raise The Wreck
(27 Jul 2010, GlobeNewsWire-Press Release)
In what is arguably the most technologically advanced scientific expedition to Titanic ever organized, RMS Titanic, Inc. has brought together a team of leading archaeologists, oceanographers and scientists including The Institute of Nautical Archaeology, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuaries Program, and The National Park Service's Submerged Resources Center to execute this historic "mission of firsts." Launching from St. John's, Newfoundland on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, this 20-plus day expedition will employ revolutionary acoustic imaging, sonar technologies and high resolution optical, video and 3-D imaging to provide the first comprehensive view of the entire wreck site with unprecedented accuracy and clarity.

Cash Boost For Bid To Revamp Titanic Memorial (23 Jul 2010, Get Surrey)
Plans to improve the memorial to Titanic hero Jack Phillips have moved forward after the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund announced initial support of £25,600. Waverley said the money would help with start-up costs, including employing a member of staff for six to eight months as the council preparesafull bid for major improvements to the Grade II-listed park.

US Company Sues For $1.38M Over 'Titanic' Exhibit (20 Jul 2010, Irish Times)
 RMS Titanic Inc is suing Citywest Productions Ltd, Citywest Park, Saggart, Co Dublin, and HSS, trading as the Mansfield group, in proceedings transferred to the Commercial Court yesterday. RMS Titanic Inc, based in Atlanta, Georgia, claims it has the exclusive worldwide rights to present exhibitions of artefacts recovered from the wreck. It claims it had in November 2009 agreed to grant a licence to Citywest Productions to present a touring exhibition of artefacts at Citywest Hotel for six months beginning on December 19th, 2009.

Negotiations Stalled To Obtain Ship Wreckage For Museum Exhibit (19 Jul 2010, Montreal Gazette)
Motivated by plans to mount an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the huge ship's 1914 sinking in the St. Lawrence River — and the deaths of more than 1,000 passengers and crew — the Canadian Museum of Civilization had begun talks with diver Philippe Beaudry about the possible purchase of more than 200 objects that he has recovered from the wreck, which was finally declared a national historic site last year. But Chantal Schryer, the museum's vice-president of public affairs, told Postmedia News on Monday that, for now, a disagreement over the value of the relics — including the ship's bell, which Beaudry once claimed is worth $1 million by itself — has sunk any proposed deal.

Titanic Anchor Procession To Be Replayed (16 Jul 2010, expressandstar.com)
The replica anchor will be placed on a temporary plinth in Northfield Road for filming before relocating to the Black Country Living Museum for 12 months, while a permanent base is created and installed in Netherton. Dudley Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “This is wonderful news for Netherton and the borough. We have so much to be proud of.” The anchor cost about £40,000 to produce in Sheffield for the show. The procession takes place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15.

'Jack Phillips' - The Man Who Tried To Save The Titanic (15 Jul 2010, BBC News)
On 20 May 1912 The Times newspaper announced that a memorial fountain was to be built in memory of 'Jack' Phillips. Godalming's Mayor, Alderman E Bridger had received numerous enquiries from around the globe asking if people could help finance it. The memorial cloister and grounds were designed by local eminent architect Hugh Thackeray Turner and famous gardener Gertrude Jekyll who was also a Godalming resident. The public gave generously, even 'Jack's' colleague Harold Bride donated the sum of £1 5 d towards the building. On the 15 April 1914, two years to the day after the ship sunk, the memorial opened.

Bid To Revamp Godalming Titanic Memorial Moves Forward (13 Jul 2010, BBC News)
A bid to revamp a memorial in Surrey to Jack Phillips, chief telegraphist on the Titanic, has moved forward. Waverley council said it had received initial support in a bid for funds to restore the Grade II-listed Phillips Memorial Cloister and improve the park. The Godalming memorial, built in 1914, is said to be the largest of any built to remember a single Titanic victim. The council wants to restore the memorial in time for the 2012 centenary of the sinking of the ship.

Harland & Wolff Charting A New Course With Ocean Energy Technology (13 Jul 2010, Irish Times)
A century ago Harland & Wolff was one of the most successful shipbuilders in the world with a workforce of 15,000 people. Today, the giant cranes remain one of Belfast’s most enduring landmarks but not a single ship has been built in the city in the last seven years. But Harland is fast becoming a “go to” specialist in the renewable energy sector. It has been involved in a range of projects from massive wind turbines to ocean energy generators.

Premier Exhibitions Narrows Loss In Fiscal 1Q (9 Jul 2010, BusinessWeek)
Premier Exhibitions Inc. late Thursday reported that it narrowed its loss in the fiscal first quarter as it cut costs and boosted revenue. Premier posted a loss of $1.5 million, or 3 cents per share, for the quarter ended May 31. That compares with a loss of $5.8 million, or 20 cents per share, in the same quarter of the prior year. Revenue, however, grew to $11.1 million from $10.9 million. The company said it had fewer exhibitions and attendance at those events were down. However it reduced its operating expenses by more than 50 percent.

Belfast's Titanic Quarter: Back To The Slipway (8 Jul 2010, The Economist)
Politicians and businessmen are adamant that an ambitious plan for large-scale redevelopment of Belfast’s former shipyards will not be thrown off course by a feeble economy and the coming fiscal squeeze. The aim of what is one of Europe’s biggest waterfront developments is to transform 185 acres of mostly derelict, post-industrial landscape into a whole new face for the city.

Titanic Exhibition Set For Indiana State Museum (6 Jul 2010, Chicago Tribune)
Artifacts from the Titanic are coming to the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis this fall. The museum said Tuesday the exhibition opens Sept. 25. It's called "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition."The 7,000-square-foot show includes 24 artifacts from the wreckage of the ship that sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic 98 years ago, killing 1,522 people. Museum Vice President Rex Garniewicz tells the Indianapolis Star the items include "china, personal objects carried by passengers, up to actual parts of the ship that have been recovered from the sea floor."

Exhibition runs from 25 Sept 2010-January 2011.
For more information: www.indianamuseum.org

Pistol Used To Steal Coal For RMS Titanic Appears For Sale (July 2010, Paul Fraser Collectibles)
Britain was then in the grip of a national coal strike, and the Titanic's owners White Star Liner feared that there wouldn't be enough fuel to power the mammoth ship. To deal with the situation, George Frederick Bull, a bursar for the company, travelled with his colleague, R McPherson, to Wallasey in Merseyside. There, they stole coal from the striking miners at gun-point. Today, almost a century later, the 104-year-old pistol which played such a crucial role in the launching the Titanic has appeared for sale on the collectors' markets. The gun is being sold by Antiques Storehouse of Portsmouth, UK, priced £200,000.

(Editors note: I am attempting to verify whether such an incident actually happened. White Star did need coal for Titanic and canceled the sailings of its other vessels to use their coal. It seems unlikely they would have to resort to stealing coal by gun point.)

Update (5 Jul 2010)
Thus far, I am unable to confirm such an incident took place. In fact this is probably one of those myths connected to Titanic that has cropped up over the years. Consider the ramifications. If a White Star employee stole coal from miners at gun point, it would become public knowledge. The miners would speak out about it. The police would be informed and the press would have a field day announcing how White Star stole coal from striking miners so that rich could cross the Atlantic. Then there is the problem of transporting coal. This is not charcoal neatly packed into bags. One has to load it into a coal bin for transport back to Southampton presumably by train. White Star already had coal on hand from its other ships to meet its needs. And they would buy more coal in New York where no strike was going on.

Unless there is actual proof (news accounts, witness statements, police etc) we must be skeptical and label this as unproven. And the auction house is advised to reconsider its claim about the gun being used to steal coal for Titanic.

Ice Patrol Chief Had 'Terrific Three Years' (30 June 2010, TheDay.com)
The day after this year's 98th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, a cargo ship en route from Germany to Canada struck an iceberg. The Federal Kushiro ignored published warnings about icebergs and sea ice and took a shortcut through the Strait of Belle Isle, north of Newfoundland, on April 16, said Cmdr. Scott Rogerson. No one was injured, but the iceberg took a large chunk out of the ship's bow. Rogerson told that story Tuesday at Fort Trumbull to highlight the importance of the U.S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol's mission of monitoring iceberg danger near the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and warning mariners of the risk of iceberg collision. Rogerson then turned over command of the unit to Cmdr. Lisa Mack and retired from the service. "It was a terrific three years," he said. "We accomplished a lot. Most importantly, we maintained our record of protecting mariners from icebergs."

Ballard Brings Expeditions To A Computer Near You In Real Time (28 June 2010, TheDay.com)
Visitors to the aquarium will be able to attend four daily presentations in which they will not only learn about Ballard's latest expedition but will be able to watch it live on a huge high-definition screen as well. They will also be able to talk to the scientists and engineers aboard the Okeanos Explorer and Nautilus, the two ships Ballard will be using in the Black and Aegean seas and the Pacific Ocean this summer to explore, among other things, ancient wrecks that could contain the mummified remains of 2,000-year-old sailors and a massive underwater volcano where marine life lives in boiling water. At some point, aquarium visitors will also be able to help pilot remotely operated underwater vehicles the ships use to explore - even though they will be thousands of miles away.

Colne Exhibition Tribute To Titanic Bandmaster (28 June 2010, ‎Burnley Citizen)
Tributes were paid in Pendle to the Colne bandmaster who died while conducting a band on the Titantic. A Wallace Hartley exhibition was displayed at the Colne Muni over the weekend which saw residents commemorate the life of the conductor.

The Museum Lands Major Titanic Exhibit (24 June 2010, Waterloo Record)
More than 150 artifacts from the world’s most famous shipwreck are coming to town for a four-month show. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit will run at The Museum, 10 King St. W., from Sept. 23 to Jan. 23. “When I looked inside the cases at some of the artifacts it truly is — it really makes you stop,” David Marskell, the museum’s executive director, said in an interview Wednesday. “It is an amazing story that has endured for a hundred years.” This will be the largest exhibit yet staged at The Museum and it expects to set a new attendance record.

Further info at: http://www.thechildrensmuseum.ca

Indian Orchard's Titanic Museum Keeps the Memories Alive (21 June 2010, Business West)
Kamuda began correspondence with many of those survivors, and when Walter Belford, chief night baker aboard the Titanic, passed away in 1963, he found out that his New York City landlord threw out most of the man’s possessions. “When I heard this, I was very upset,” Kamuda said, “and at that moment I decided, ‘I’m going to form a museum to preserve all of those precious memories.’ That’s how all this came about.”

Premier Exhibitions' Largest Shareholder To Sell Stake (21 June 2010, Reuters)
Premier Exhibitions Inc (PRXI.O) said it is assessing strategic alternatives and its largest shareholder Sellers Capital Master Fund Ltd has begun seeking a buyer for its 46 percent stake in the exhibition operator. The fund, facing redemption requests, plans to return all capital to its investors over the next 12 to 18 months, Premier said in a statement.The company, struggling with low attendance levels at its exhibitions, has restructured its business, raised capital and amended or severed ties with trading partners in an effort to turn its fortunes around.

Titanic Gift To Belfast Takes A Bow (21 June 2010, Belfast Telegraph)
A replica 30 foot section of the bow of the famous 'unsinkable' ship has been unveiled beside the berthing dock where the Titanic was built in Belfast almost a century ago. The bow has been recreated for a forthcoming Channel 4 and National Geographic TV series called “We Built Titanic” due to air this autumn. But last night it was presented as a “gift to Belfast” as a permanent sculpture which will attract tourists and Titanic enthusiasts alike.

Priest Draws Ties Between Titanic, Oil Spill (19 June 2010, Traverse City Record Eagle)
A 30-year ordained priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, Bechard currently is pastor of Saints Simon and Jude Parish in Westland. But he's never far from his hobby. His books on the Titanic fill two shelves topped by a light-up, remote-controlled model of the ship he spent years building. His fascination with the ship culminated in a 1996 cruise to the wreck site to watch an attempt to bring up a portion of the hull that had broken off. Passengers also attended daily lectures by world-class Titanic experts and took part in an experiment to determine if the distress signals placed by the Titanic could have been seen by the Californian, a nearby vessel that failed to come to the Titanic's rescue the night it sank.

The Titanic To Take A Bow (17 June 2010, Belfast Telegraph)
Almost 100 years after the Titanic was built, a 30ft replica section of the ship's bow has been constructed to bring the ship back to life and celebrate the skills and innovation of Belfast ship workers. The public is invited to the unveiling of the mammoth project which is situated alongside the Titanic Dock and Pumphouse in the Northern Ireland Science Park, Queen's Island, Belfast, on Sunday June 20, at 5.30pm.

Dogs Greet Visitors To Titanic Museum (16 June 2010, Alton Telegraph)
Be prepared to go overboard this summer for a museum attraction in the Ozark hills. It’s not often one finds a ship in the Midwest, but in Branson, there is a replica of the world’s most famous vessel and its newest attraction that pays tribute to the dogs on board. Titanic, the world’s largest museum and exhibit of the ship that sank in 1912, now is featuring the "Mighty Mascots." "Carter and Molly are a loveable pair of King Charles spaniels destined to steal visitor’s hearts," said John Joslyn, the museum’s owner. Joslyn called the dogs the Titanic’s emissaries. "They welcome guests each and every day," he said.

Schoolgirl's Bid To Honour Barmouth's Titanic Hero (10 June 2010, BBC News)
A schoolgirl has launched a campaign to create a memorial to Titanic hero Harold Lowe in his home town. Maddie Matthews, 15, of Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, was shocked to learn Barmouth has no plaque to mark the sailor's efforts to rescue survivors. Fifth Officer Lowe, played by Hollywood actor Ioan Gruffudd in the 1997 film, rowed a lifeboat back to pull four people from the freezing water. Maddie wants the memorial up in time for the tragedy's centenary in 2012.

Tenn. Titanic Museum Attraction Draws Large Crowds (9 June 2010, Cedartown Standard)
The new Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. has been open for just two months and already more than 135,000 “passengers” have toured the painstakingly authentic recreation of the world’s most famous ship. The world’s largest Titanic Museum Attraction, which is also the newest major attraction in the popular resort area surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is exceeding its business projections in all areas and sells completely out of tickets on most days. Because of the overwhelming response to the new museum, visitors are being urged to purchase tickets in advance or to make reservations by phone.

From The Archive, 29 April 1912: Titanic Survivors At Plymouth (9 June 2010, The Guardian)
In the town, the church bells began to send out a sweet ringing over the water, and that must have been the first sound from shore to reach the ears of those on deck. We could see them dimly through the glass, leaning over the side and staring at the grey terraces of Plymouth, whence the homely smoke of breakfasts was rising. Meanwhile, on shore a strange welcome was being prepared. Never was there a reception from which all emotion, all gladness had been more carefully eliminated. Here were 170 men and women saved from death and returning to their families.

Titanic Relics Shed Light On Human Face Of Tragedy (7 June 2010, The Age)
To mark Titanic's first visit to Australia, organisers decided to included a section showcasing local links to the tragedy. "It's interesting that there were six passengers and crew on board Titanic with ties to Australia," Ms Mure says. "There was even a crew member from Melbourne, Dan Campbell, but we don't know that much about him." "There are other passengers from Adelaide and from Sydney. It's so interesting that this event touched people from all corners of the world."

Tragedy Of The Lancastria (5 June 2010, Express.co.uk)
There was no sign of the Cunard liner Lancastria that was supposed to be transporting back to England some of the last British troops and civilians left in France following the successful evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. On that tragic day she was bombed by German planes and when her upturned hull sank beneath the waves 20 minutes later, the death toll from the incident climbed to some 3,500. It was the worst maritime disaster in British history, easily eclipsing the 1,523 deaths resulting from the sinking of the Titanic. Yet whereas the Titanic’s demise is one of the best documented events in the 20th century, the anniversary of Lancastria’s sinking has always remained in the shadows, overshadowed too by the Dunkirk evacuation 22 days earlier.