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Titanic: New artefacts from shipwreck to be displayed

Titanic Exhibition BristolImage source, Phil Harrison Photography
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The items in the exhibition were collected and preserved by White Star Heritage

Rare and "never seen before" items from the Titanic shipwreck have been put on display, including part of a deckchair and a foghorn.

It's part of a special Titanic Exhibition in Bristol being held from 10-25 February.

The show has been put together by White Star Heritage, connected to the White Star Line who owned the Titanic.

Its job is to collect and preserve artefacts from the Titanic and other White Star Line ships.

What happened to the Titanic?

Media caption,

Ore and Hayley report

The RMS Titanic sank in April 1912 after it struck an iceberg on its first voyage from Southampton to New York.

The iconic vessel sank within hours and now lies 3,800m (12,500ft) down in the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 1,500 people died went the ship sank.

It remains one of the most famous shipwrecks in history that had its story turned into an Oscar award winning film.

What special items will be on display?

Image source, Phil Harrison Photography
Image caption,

Sheet music found with the body of a musician who was part of the ship's band is also a part of the collection

The artefacts on display include sheet music that was played by the ship's band as the vessel sank.

Director Tom Rudderham said that the sheet music belonged to Wallis Hartley, who was the band leader on board, whose briefcase and violin were both recovered.

He explained: "Interestingly enough the violin was sold at auction for £1million, the sheet music was found inside his briefcase, sandwiched with a leather case."

Other artefacts on display include a fragment of a deck chair that had been thrown overboard, collected by a rescue ship and later stored in a warehouse in Canada.

Although the chair was in one piece when it was first found, it was "blown to smithereens" in 1916 after two ships collided in a nearby harbour and exploded - and now only a small piece is left to view.

The exhibition also showcases a foghorn used during the rescues.

Image source, Phil Harrison Photography
Image caption,

A foghorn that was used during the rescue operations after the Titanic sank has been put on display

A lot of the items have never been seen before.

— Tom Rudderham , Exhibition Directior

Lots of items have been recovered from the Titanic and are displayed in museums around the world.

One of the most well known displays of items from the shipwreck can be found at The Titanic Belfast where the ship was built, and may of the items recovered have been sold at auction for very high prices.

Why do we remember the Titanic story?

Image source, Phil Harrison Photography
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Mr Rudderham said the collection is an important "part of our heritage and culture"

It's a story that resonates with so many people and it was also a turning point in history.

— Tom Rudderham , Exhibition Director

Tom said "These are priceless artefacts that tell an important story. It's part of our heritage and culture.

"The fact that this was such an iconic ship, from a long time ago in history is also significant, as it helps us understand how differently people lived at that time compared to how they do now.

He explained: "It was the end of the Edwardian era and there was a class system that doesn't really exist now, in a way.

"It was a story of so many coincidences, so much bad luck, having the richest people on board, the creators of the ship, the maiden voyage, it all comes together in this incredible story that is so fascinating but also so tragic."

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