One of only six life jackets remaining from the Titanic has gone on display to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the world’s most famous ship.
This is the first time the life jacket has been on public display on the island of Ireland and it is free for the public to view in the Grand Atrium of Titanic Belfast until Sunday 24th April.
It was recovered from the field of debris by Robert Edwards, Quartermaster of the Cable Ship Mackay-Bennett, which was the first of four ships chartered by the White Star Line to search for bodies in the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912.
Read more: Rare illustrated brochure for doomed liner to sell at auction 110 years after sinking
The life jacket is made of linen and cork and is in fair condition with all original ribbon ties still in place.
It was made by Fosbery and Co. Ltd, manufacturer of life saving devices for many of the White Star Line ships and is now over 110 years old.
Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, Judith Owens said having this life jacket on display in the city is really something special.
“There were 3,500 life jackets onboard but only six remain, so this is a unique, and very emotive, opportunity for the public to see a piece of history in real life.
“It is especially poignant to have the authentic artefact on display as we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and honour all the lives that were sadly lost,” she added.
Rodney McCullough, former official historian for Harland & Wolff added: “I joined Harland & Wolff in 1959 and many of my colleagues
knew of people who worked in the drawing offices in 1912.
“I remember them telling stories of the shock and confusion when the news hit about Titanic’s tragic fate. Seeing the life jacket in person makes everything suddenly very real and reminds us of what a tragedy this story really was.”
Titanic Belfast will mark the 110th anniversary with ‘A Night to Remember’ on Thursday April 14 when visitors will be guided on a living history tour taking them on a journey of reflection, hearing the story of Titanic through the eyes of those whose lives were shaped by her journey.
Guests are invited to then join a candle lighting ceremony at 11.40pm on the slipways, marking the exact time that Titanic struck
the iceberg thus sealing its fate.
Read more: Titanic: Explorers set to fork out $250,000 to visit shipwreck site
Read more: Titanic pump-house to become whiskey distillery and tourist attraction
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
