The Titanic Centre, July 2016

There’s no denying it. The Belfast Titanic Centre is a highly impressive achievement that brings to life the tragic but legendary fate of what was supposed to have been the world’s greatest ocean liner. It is a multimedia experience that pays tribute to the victims whilst plotting an atmospheric course through the complex cause and effect sequence that led to the final disaster. And if the gift shop with its array of Titanic souvenirs leaves a somewhat bitter taste in the mouth – as if the Centre is somehow profiting from the immense loss of life that occurred, well, this must be forgiven in the face of the commercial realities of sustaining the project.

The Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10th 2012. Travelling first class was one Alfred G. Rowe. Born in Lima, Peru in 1853, Alfred was part of a widely-travelled family of British merchants and landowners. His mother was from Glasgow, whilst his father was born to British parents in Jamaica. 

In 1856, the family returned to England and settled in the Liverpool area. Alfred though continued his adventures, and bought up a ranch in Texas. He was thus a seasoned Atlantic traveller, attending to business and family both in the USA and England. For five days, he will have enjoyed all the considerable luxury and entertainment that the Titanic had to offer, until on April 15th, 1912, the great ship, the pride of the Belfast shipyards, collided with an iceberg and sank. Over 1500 passengers met their deaths in the icy waters of the Atlantic that day, amongst them Alfred Rowe.