The Titanic is the most famous shipwreck of all time – over 1‚500 people lost their lives when the ship went down. Items from the ship have gone on display in the Science Museum but should we leave the dead to rest? And who‚ if anyone‚ should be investigating the Titanic site?
The Titanic: Graveyard beneath the Sea event will tackle the highly contentious issues surrounding the raising of artefacts from sea wrecks at the Science Museum on Saturday 31 May 2003.
There are many concerns associated with diving and collecting objects from the wrecks of sunken vessels. This event will allow members of the public to debate the issues with a panel of Titanic and Maritime experts‚ in which the Science Museum will reflect the sensitivity of displaying objects from this kind of salvage operation in our Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition.
Visitors to the free event will have the unique opportunity to discuss the issues of wreck excavation‚ with expert panellists including Dik Barton‚ the first Briton to dive to the wreck of the Titanic and Christopher Dobbs‚ a maritime archaeologist.
The Museum will be running events for families and adults linked to Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition throughout the summer and is currently screening a brand new 3D IMAX movie about the Titanic - Ghosts of the Abyss‚ directed by James Cameron and a website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/nakedscience/titanic/index.asp
Anna Bunney‚ Head of Programmes at the Science Museum‚ said: “Titanic provokes very strong feelings - some feel that excavation is disrespectful to those who perished while others believe that it has strong archaeological‚ cultural and historical significance. It will be fascinating to get people talking about what we should do with such an enigmatic subject such as Titanic."
The discussion is part of the Science Museum’s Naked Science series which deal with specific scientific and bio-medical issues that affect our everyday lives; these can be controversial‚ often involve debate and are meant for adults.
Chair:
Jackie Britton Planning and Development Unit‚ Science Museum.
Speakers:
Dik Barton Former Vice President (Operations)‚ RMS Titanic‚ Inc.
Paul Louden Brown Vice President‚ The Titanic Historical Society.
Christopher Dobbs UK representative‚ International Committee on Underwater Cultural Heritage
Notes to Editors
1. Interviews and photographs are available by contacting the Science Museum Press Office.
2. The Science Museum is currently both London Tourist Board Visitor Attraction of the Year and English Tourism Council Visitor.
3. Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition runs to 28 September 2003. Tickets prices are: Adults £9.95‚ Children/Concessions £6.95. Public information and booking line is 0870 870 4868.
For Press Information please contact the Science Museum Press Office‚
Alexandra Baker 020 7942 4328; a.baker@nmsi.ac.uk
