Saturday, March 3, 2012

Titanic Work in Halifax

I am currently visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia, as part of a five-week tour of Canada and the USA, and doing a spot of research for my Titanic project whilst here. Halifax has a close connection with the story of Titanic as it was here that boats set out from to recover bodies of those lost and where many of them are buried. The sea and shipping are a huge part of what makes this place what it is, and I have spent much of the day in the excellent Museum of the Atlantic, which houses some amazing Titanic artifacts recovered from the sea, including a deckchair and part of the grand staircase. All the other artifacts I have seen before have been recovered from the wreck, whereas what is displayed here seems quite new, having only been in the sea for a matter of days. A cabinet for instance. There are also touching items connected with the recovery of the bodies, like a canvas bag with a number on it, to contain personal possessions found on each body. It is clearly a popular place to visit, and I am thrilled that all the children who are visiting while I am there are as intrigued and captivated by the Titanic story as I am. Tomorrow I shall be visiting the graveyard where about 130 of those who perrished are burried. It promises to be a moving experience.