Titanic II: Fully functioning replica of original liner to set sail in 2018
A fully functioning replica of RMS Titanic is set to launch in 2018, 106 years after the original vessel sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean.
This ｕpdated version, named Titanic II, is the brainchild of Australian billionaire Clive Palmer and his company, Blue Star Line.
While it will look virtually identical to the 1912 cruise ship, it will be four metres wider, with its hull welded together rather than riveted due to modern maritime safety requirements.
Unlike the original, the new ship will have enough lifeboats, along with marine evacuation systems - and a boat deck housing replicas of the original lifeboats.
The replica ship wlll be 270 metres long, 53 metres high and weigh 40,000 tonnes, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
Like the original, Titanic II will offer first, second and third class tickets.
It will have nine floors and 840 cabins to accommodate 2,400 passengers and 900 crew members.
The liner will have a swimming pool, Turkish baths and gyms.
James McDonald, the marketing director of Blue Star Line said: "The new Titanic will of course have modern evacuation procedures, satellite controls, digital navigation and radar systems and all those things you'd expect on a 21st century ship.
"We are not looking for investment from Dubai, as it is a project we are funding ourselves, but we have been in contact with a number of companies based in the Emirates who are looking at utilising opportunities that arises with the project.
"It is people looking to use the opportunity of the trademark and licensing potential of the project... We own the Titanic II name and trademark and people are lining up to be part of it."
The maiden voyage will be from Jiangsu in Eastern China to Dubai and not like its namesake from Southampton to New York.
The original Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic - killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/titanic-ii-fully-functioning-replica-of-original-ship-to-set-sail-in-20-a6862796.html
Image Source: http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2014/04/30/18/pg-46-twitter-past-1-getty.jpg
Vocabulary:
1. ｕpdate - verb Make (something) more modern or up to date.
2. brainchild - n. An idea or invention considered to be a particular person's creation.
3. hull - n. The main body of a ship or other vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck but not the masts, superstructure, rigging, engines, and other fittings.
4. replica - n. An exact copy or model of something, especially one on a smaller scale.
5. utilize - verb Make practical and effective use of.
Discussion:
1. The original Titanic was hailed as an unsinkable ship. Why do you think it sank?
2. If given the chance, would you like to go on sail aboard the new Titanic despite knowing the unfortunate details of the original ship?
3. Have you ever been on a cruise? Tell me about it. If not, would you like to go on a a cruise? Why?
4. Do you think travelling by ship is safe? Why or why not?
5. If you were a billionaire like Clive Plamer, what outrageous project would you like to accomplish?
