Hopes that Titanic exhibition proves a show-stopper

The free exhibition - which includes the fountain pen owned by the Captain EJ Smith and a mock-up of a Third Class berth - runs until August.

Hull Museums Service are hoping the display at the city’s Maritime Museum - in the centenary of Titanic’s sinking - proves one of its biggest draws in years - in a year that will also see “Andy Warhol Artist Rooms” and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci come to the city.

“Titanic Honour & Glory” features many poignant stories - including that of an Italian a la carte waiter who left his prized 18-carat gold watch at his Southampton home before embarking on the doomed voyage. There is also a very large memorial board which lists all the passengers and crew who were lost - giving a scale of the tragedy.

Curator of Maritime and Social History Robin Diaper said they were expecting thousands to come: “Obviously the centenary has heightened awareness of Titanic, which is a perennially popular subject and captures the imagination with its combination of luxury and tragedy.”

Probably the world’s most famous shipwreck 1,523 lives were lost when Titanic went down on April 15 1912.

The exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until August 27.