GREENWICH: Exhibition unravels mysteries of Titanic at The O2

A RUSTY porthole, dinner plates, buttons and a pair of denim jeans don’t usually make for a fascinating exhibition.

But knowing these items have been dredged up from the wreck of the iconic Titanic, make these otherwise mundane objects hauntingly compelling.

Running at The O2 until May, Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition charts the ill-fated ship’s history, from its conception in 1907 to its tragic end in 1912 and current excavations.

As well as relics recovered from the deep (some on public display for the first time), the exhibition includes recreations of rooms and parts of the ship.

While displays featuring rivets and bolts fail to capture the imagination, the beautifully preserved belongings of the ship’s passengers create a spine-chilling insight into the events of that tragic night.

But after almost 100 years since the supposed unsinkable ship sank in the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg, why is the story of the Titanic still fascinating the world?

Cheryl Mure, Titanic expert and vice president of education for RMS Titanic Inc, says it is the ship's moving human story which continues to fire people's interests.

She said: “This is an exhibition about real people. Not only the elite first class passengers who were titans of industry and worked in government and entertainment, but also the third class passengers who were travelling to escape economic and religious oppression, coming to the new world to start a new life.

“You get to know these people and you see items which may have belonged to them. You learn about their story and what they were hoping to do when they go to the United States.

“It’s fascinating, compelling and tragic and you wonder what would have happened if that event hadn’t taken place that night.”

Highlights in the exhibition include a chance to touch a piece of the ship’s hull and a set of perfume vials which can still be smelt today through the exhibit’s case.

Seeing these items, as well as a linen handkerchief, paper currency and other delicate items of clothing, in such incredible good nick is truly astounding.

But as Cheryl explains, these artefacts weren’t simply floating freely on the bottom of the ocean.

“These objects were found inside something made of leather,” she says.

“The chemicals used to tan the leather in the 1900s repelled the micro-organisms on the bottom of the ocean, so they can’t eat through it.

“In our recovery expeditions to the wreck site, we found a leather bag, wallet, pouch and valise. Inside was a virtual time capsule from 1912.

“Some of the other objects you see, you are seeing them as we found them. Our mission is to conserve these artefacts, not to restore. We want you to see them as we found them.”

With the Titanic slowly disintegrating with the passage of time, scientists expect there will be little left of the wreck in 40 to 90 years.

So with the clock ticking, what mysteries are left to solve before the famous ship is finally taken by the ocean?

With a glint in her eye, Cheryl concludes: “I think one of the greatest mysteries is, why did she sink?

“The eighth mission we made to the wreck site of Titanic this summer was a research and science mission. Our goal was to study her and use modern technology such as HD and 3D imaging to be able to learn more about Titanic and find out what happened.

“Some of these great mysteries about Titanic have yet to be solved and we’re hoping this mission will unlock some of those mysteries.”

Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition. The O2, Greenwich. Until May 1. For tickets, visit titaniclondon.co.uk