Southampton, England
by Matthew Adams
Southampton is famous for its ships such as the great ocean liners that dominated its port during the early 20th century. Briefly among them was White Star’s Titanic which was the largest ship to have been constructed in 1912. The Titanic set sail from Southampton in April 1912 for its maiden voyage. However, this was cut short as the Titanic famously sank like a rock in the Atlantic with more than 2,000 aboard. Only a minority were picked up and arrived in New York. In 2012, Southampton commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Titanic in the month of April.
The SeaCity Museum
For the anniversary a new state-of-the-art SeaCity Museum was opened at Havelock Road, within the Cultural Quarter of Southampton. This museum has now replaced the former, and smaller, Maritime Museum which was closer to the seafront. As the SeaCity Museum is located within a former court building it does not win any prizes for innovative architecture!
Within the museum three exciting exhibitions are included: Titanic the Legend, Gateway to the World and Southampton’s Titanic Story. These exhibitions showcase a range of Titanic artefacts, Titanic collectables and more general archaeological artifacts (such as old pottery) which are showcased at the Gateway to the World exhibition.
Southampton’s Titanic Story is the exhibition that covers the brief history of the Titanic. A large diagram of the Titanic is drawn out on one wall which displays the ship’s layout and various compartments such as kitchens, boiler rooms, cafés, the Grand Staircase, cabins, lifts etc. Behind this there are glass cases which display Titanic documents and artefacts such as the captain’s sword. Various bits and pieces from other similar ships are also included in the exhibition like the Olympic’s Honour and Glory Panel, which was very similar to the panel included at the Grand Staircase of the Titanic.
Another highlight of this exhibition is the full size 1930’s court room which depict the London Titanic tribunal. The left and right walls of this courtroom are dominated by two large cinematic screens which are supported by audio commentary from the original court records.
The Gateway to the World exhibition is a smaller exhibition which covers the history of Southampton more generally. At the center of the exhibition is a large round touch-screen map which includes a number of bird’s eye maps of Southampton from various periods. In a smaller adjacent room there is a large Queen Mary ocean liner model, alongside hundreds of smaller ship models.
The City Art Gallery
Beyond the SeaCity Museum, the Cultural Quarter also includes the City Art Gallery which displays a variety of paintings. Although not exactly the Louvre, it is still renowned for its collections. For the Titanic anniversary this gallery is dominated by hundreds of Titanic paintings. These probably won’t always be included in the City Art Gallery, but there are always a variety of paintings displayed at the gallery.
The Titanic Trail along the East Park
Southampton’s West Park and East Park surround the Cultural Quarter outside. These parks include tennis courts, cafés, mini golf courses, fountains and rose gardens. They were not left out of the anniversary either as the East Park includes the Titanic memorial. For the anniversary an actual size outline of the Titanic’s hull from the prow to the stern, and its lifeboats, was painted along the centre of the East Park path to walk along; and stretched from the Titanic memorial to the end of the park.
Other Destinations
However, Southampton is not just famous for ships. Famous aircraft have also ‘taken off’ at this site in the UK. Among them, the first Spitfire was constructed at Southampton’s assembly lines during the 1930s. Unlike the Titanic, this plane did not go down so easily as it was an influential RAF aircraft during World War Two.
Southampton’s Solent Sky Aviation Museum is an aircraft museum that includes a Spitfire aircraft among a variety of others. This is close to the Ocean Village marina on the east side of Southampton. A variety of further alternative museums such as the Bargate Monument Gallery can also be found within Southampton’s Old Town, an older part of the city which links to the Cultural Quarter.
Or you can take a trip to Southampton’s Mayflower Theater. The Mayflower is located within the Cultural Quarter, close to the SeaCity Museum. The theater is a venue for a variety musicals, dance, ballet and opera.
2-Day Stonehenge, Cotswolds, Bath and Oxford Private Tour from Southampton
If You Go:
♦ SeaCity Museum
♦ Solent Sky Museum
♦ Mayflower Theater
♦ Ocean Village
‘Fasten Your Seat Belts’ Aviation Tour from Southampton
About the author:
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles for various publications and websites such as Swing Golf Magazine,TripAdvisor, Captured Snapshot, Coed Magazine the Washington Post and Vagabundo Travel. Matthew also has his own golf blog at: amateurgolfer.blogspot.co.uk. Email: mav_uk28@yahoo.co.uk
Credits:
Sea trials of Titanic illustration by Teufelbeutel / CC BY-SA
Photos by Matthew Adams:
A model of the Queen Mary ocean liner in the museum.
A display case within the SeaCity Museum.
The City Art Gallery.
The East Park in Southampton.
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