The spirits who haunt Titanic the Exhibition

Ninety years. That’s how long it has been since 1,513 people lost their lives to what can be attributed to arrogance and folly. It was in April 1912 when the “unsinkable” R.M.S. Titanic set sail from South Hampton. She was a modern marvel, a floating first-class luxury hotel and man’s attempt to prove that he had finally conquered nature. Instead, the age of innocence came to a halt and 1912 became the unofficial, tardy end to the 19th century.

The tragedy known as the world’s most recognized maritime disaster has fascinated many and profited others (by spawning an onslaught of books, movies and other such media). Elusive for 73 years, the discovery of her wreck in 1985 spurred an entirely new wave of attention. A blockbuster mega-budget movie further fueled the fury of interest, and served to educate those ignorant to the enormous emotional intensity of the catastrophe.

A series of deep-water excursions (or intrusions, depending on where one stands on the issue) brought a wealth of artifacts back from the wreck site. Quite a few of those treasures travel around the world in a series of exhibits devoted to the Titanic enigma. The artifacts aren’t the only things that travel with this globetrotting exhibit. Documented news reports from Argentina, Chili, and England suggest that the display is haunted. Disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, and even the sighting of a woman in a long white 18th century dress have been mentioned (in some cases by local police).

In 1999, Titanic -the Exhibition, the first permanent museum devoted entirely to Titanic, opened in Orlando, Florida. Complete with scale recreations of the verandah café, a first class stateroom, outdoor deck, and grand staircase, the attraction was an instant success. Dedicated actors and authentic period artifacts (many from the infamous ship herself) round out this unique experience. There are even some who have experienced a bit more than what the museum has listed in its extensive collection.

From the very start, mystery and controversy surrounded the world’s largest ocean liner. The huge boat was never christened, and a cock is said to have crowed in full daylight (a bad omen to sailors) as Titanic departed. Seventeen workers died during construction, two of whom are said to haunt Harland and Wolf’s Belfast shipyards to this day. Amid the fury of religious contention in Northern Ireland, Protestant workers were accused of attempting to sabotage the ship. The alleged evidence: Titanic’s hull number 3909-04, which viewed backwards says, “no POPE”, at least according the passion of the Catholic shipbuilders.

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A recent investigation of the Orlando museum by the Central Florida Ghost Society turned up some very interesting photographs and even recorded the sounds of phantom footsteps in the general area where the shipyard set is located. Could the spirits of Irish craftsmen be keeping an eye on things?

Other sightings include William Stead, a journalist and spiritualist who sailed on Titanic, despite the forewarnings of a maritime mishap which he wrote about 20 years prior to that fateful night in April 1912. Stead’s photograph is among the many period pieces for sale in the gift shop. He is greeted daily with a friendly “good morning” by one conscientious staff member.

Actors have reported seeing shadows, observing objects animate on their own and even smelling the overwhelming scent of seawater in the attraction. Women in period dresses have been seen throughout the exhibit and may be connected to a trunk that is on display. This lady’s trunk which tends to draw female guests, was found floating near the wreck site in 1912 and is now on display near the end of the museum.

By far, the most popular spirit is that of a seven-year-old girl. She and her family were passengers on Titanic’s lower decks (they did not survive the sinking). Her name is Catherine Johnston. Like any child her age, she is quite playful. She was first sighted by one of the staff as she tugged on the dress of an unaware guest. Another actress thought it a bit odd when a red ball rolled from behind a display case. She believes the child’s hand, which was observed retrieving the toy, belonged to Ms. Johnston. The height of Catherine’s hi-jinx takes place at the exit of the museum. There, she has playfully tossed books, mouse pads, pencils and cassettes off the shelves. She loves attention, as evidenced when she starts banging objects on the shelf, causing a racket that only subsides when she is recognized with a simple, “Hello Catherine.”

The spirits of Titanic the Exhibition are, for the most part, peaceful and content. They appear to be pleased with the diligence, dedication and respect that the actors pour into their roles. Titanic: the Exhibition is a wonderful blend of history, life lessons, and reverent emotion-emotion that might just be evoked by the presence of the spirits who reside there.