We started out the door to go and see the Titanic Dry Dock and Museum on September 28th. Our choice was to stay close to our area because it was the day for the Ulster Covenant Parade and parades here can bring a clash between church groups. It was our intentions to stay on our side of the river and away for the parade route, until ... we stepped out the door and could hear the drums. Sarah, Samuel and I have seen a parade before and ours don't compare. The band is composed of a big drum that is beat in a manner to stir your blood, several smaller drums and then fifes, flutes or accordions. The sound of 30,000 men and women parading was to great a temptation to pass up. We knew the route they planned to take a guessed that there would be a good place away from churches, where most of the alterations take place, to get a peek. We decided we would go look and try get a feel for the mood of the crowd and decide whether to stay and watch or turn back. Well we found a great place up on a small overpass the marchers passed right underneath of our feet. And as the news will have said the day went off very well. Here are some of the picture we were able to get while standing there in the cold.
 |
| young boys in the parade |
 |
| We got really cold and the metal on the side of the Odyssey was so nice and warm. A group of young Italian guys saw us and touched the siding when they felt the warmth they joined us. |
Titanic Dry Dock
The best part about living in Belfast's new exciting area of the city is all the events we get to see, some quiet by accident. When we got on our way to the dry dock after seeing some of the parade we discovered they were hosting a VW car show. We were able to look in the dry dock area and see some pretty tricked out cars. They were holding a remote control car race on location as well. Fun stuff for every one.
After the Titanic and many other ships slid down their slipways from where their hull was laid they would come here. At the dry dock the ship was sailed in with the dock full of water after the gates were closed the mighty pumps got to work. This pump house could remove 21 million gallons of water from around the ship in 100 minutes. This left the keel accessible for the next step adding the propellers and rudder. When the workers were done the water was replace and the ship sailed out through the sea gates to begin her sea trials.
 |
| looking to the aft end of the dry dock and the sea gates |
 |
| pump house that could pump 21 million gallons of water in 100 minutes out of the dry dock. |
 |
| sea gates |
 |
| looking to the fore end of the dry dock. |
Some VW and RC cars
 |
| RC cars |
Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum was a nice display of the industrial and political environment during the building of the Titanic, facts about the ship, stories of survivors and victims, and a peek under the ocean to see where the mighty ship lies now. It was not easy to get pictures so here are a few I did get.
 |
| first class cabin |
 |
| first class cabin |
 |
| second class cabin |
 |
| third class cabin |
 |
| tableware |
 |
| first class china |
 |
| slipways from above |
 |
| Kate and Leonardo's costumes from the movie Titanic |
No comments:
Post a Comment