A plan to make a copy of the Titanic in China has been attracting considerable attention, combining as it does the hubris of the “Titanic” name and the manufacturing quality of China.
The ship, dubbed “Titanic II,” was commissioned by billionaire Austrialian mining magnate Chris Palmer, whose recent plans include such modest enterprises as running for office and starting a luxury cruise line and resort empire.
The plan is for the Titanic II to replicate the look and feel of the original Titanic, whilst incorporating modern innovations in unsinkability and China’s low cost shipbuilding talent.
Naturally Palmer was asked about how unsinkable it would be:
“Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it. It is going to be designed so it won’t sink, but, of course, if you are superstitious like you are, you never know what could happen.”
A Chinese shipyard took the order, thought in part to be due to Palmer’s business connections with China. How much he is paying for the vessel has not been made public.
The ship is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from London to New York in 2016.
Online there are fears it may both explode and sink:
“So this time it will explode and then sink?”
“You just know this will sink.”
“Made in China – they want to replicate the sinking as well then.”
“A tragedy looms…”
“Well, if they wanted to replicate the glaring design flaws of the original as well they couldn’t have made a better choice.”
“Expect a movie.”
“Just think of it as a set.”
“At least if it sinks they’ll be saved the trouble of burying it.”
“So they’re ripping off both the movie and the ship this time?”
“For a rich man he seems to have skimped on the most essential point.”
“What kind of fool would ride this!”
“I can imagine poor people riding a made in China ship, but rich people riding a made in China luxury liner?”
“Now they just need to get that Italian captain and they will be all set.”
“Not only does he call it the Titanic, he makes it in China? He has the whole joke planned out doesn’t he?”
U know what they say in China’s Titanic: PARTY TIME!
Directed by Michael Bay
This is like a farce.
Titanic II. MADE IN CHINA AND SUNK BY CHINA…
how? by iceberg or explosion?
Titanic : The Legend goes on 1/1 Titanic made by China, with Rapping Dog.