Maritime Museum Opens Cable Ships Exhibit for Titanic Anniversary

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with hi-res downloadable photos, audio and video clips is available at http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2012-04-12-Cable-Ships/ .

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is opening its special temporary exhibit Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World today, April 12, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic.

Titanic's Halifax connection began when the cable ships Mackay-Bennett and Minia were chartered from the White Star Line for Titanic victims. A complement to the museum's permanent exhibit Titanic: The Unsinkable Ship and Halifax, the special exhibit delves into the two cable ships, their captains and crews, and examines the science and technology of undersea telegraph cables and Morse telegraphy, considered the World Wide Web of the time.

"Experiencing the Titanic-related exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is an excellent way to learn more about Halifax's connection to the tragedy," said David Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. "In addition to attending commemorative events, I encourage everyone to consider visiting the museum."

The cable ships exhibit is based on museum research and contains historical photos, crew accounts, cable ships and undersea telegraph cable artifacts from the museum's collection. Visitors will also learn about the science of undersea cables through video animation by Graphic and Digital Media Design students from the Centre for Arts and Technology in Halifax.

"The museum is proud to showcase our maritime heritage," said Kim Reinhardt, manager, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. "With the special anniversary for Titanic, we will share with visitors the personal and historical connections to highlight how these noble cable ships and the city of Halifax, became part of the Titanic story."

The museum will be open today for a public opening reception at 7 p.m., and will be open special hours Sunday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This exhibit runs until Nov. 4.

More information about the cable ships exhibit and other Titanic exhibits, programs and events can be found at http://maritime.museum.gov.ns.ca .