Replica of the Titanic to be built in China

We all know that the Chinese are good at building good copies of things, but here's one that will take some beating.

Clive Palmer, who is reportedly Australia’s fifth-richest person, is going to build a replica of the Titanic – named Titanic II - in China.  The ship is hoped to make its maiden voyage in 2016, sailing from Britain to New York.

Palmer tell us that “The Titanic II will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic, but will have state-of-the-art 21st-century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems,” and goes on to describe the project as “a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original Titanic.”

This year’s 100th anniversary has seen many events to remember those who perished, More than 1,500 people died when the original Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. 

Palmer has said to have commissioned the state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to build the replica, working with a team of historical researchers to ensure the ship’s design is as close as possible to the original.

The diesel-powered ship will have four funnels like the original, although they will be purely decorative. There will be 840 cabins, nine decks and it will measure 270 metres long and 53 metres high.

“Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high-class restaurants and luxury cabins,” added Mr Palmer.

Form an orderly queue here.