Southampton Titanic departure site demolished

[Kalman Tanito]

During the BTS convention in April, a small group of us tried to get in the Southampton dock area to view the site that the Titanic departed from. To our amazement, we were not let in (perhaps because we were foreigners?), being told that since the World Trade Center episode, no visitors are allowed to the dock area, and that besides, there is nothing to see, as the departure site has been demolished, the bollards ripped from their place etc. From another source, we later also heard that the security guards' claim is not unfounded, and that the site has been done with.

Can anyone confirm or deny this? Surely, this cannot be true?

Kalman

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Kalman. Greetings. Sorry that you were unable to get into Southampton Docks to see the Titanic's departure berth 44/45. In the last few years Associated British Ports made the decision not to allow ''visitors' entry into the docks due to ''Health and Safety'' rules and regulations.After 9/11 they even, at great expense, moved the Titanic memorial from inside the docks to an area by the main dock gate so that members of the public can see the memorial without having to access the dock area.
The Security Guards are obliged to keep 'everyone' out.
Normally the British Titanic Society (as part of the their Convention) organise a Boat trip which included a visit to the Titanic's berth or a coach trip into the docks but this year it was decided against.
The original sheds and cranes at berths 44/45 were badly damaged by German bombs in World War II and the grand Ocean Terminal that replaced them was demolished in 1968. The whole area is now paved and used for by the many giant Roll On Roll Off ships that used the port. It is reputed that some of the bollards are the original ones and many a BTS member has had their photographs taken on or alongside them. I have taken many parties into the docks and very many of them end up in tears when just standing alongside berths 44/45.
There are still ways and means of accessing the area and the whole docks themselves but you have to give advance notice.
Very best regards

Brian

 

[Dave Gittins]

I fear we will see more security on the docks all round the world. Here, on the other side of the world, docks which were once freely accessible to the public are now closed. Occasionally they are opened to allow the public to view visiting cruise ships or naval vessels but when QE2 visited a few months back security was tight. They even had divers checking her hull.

It's partly due to the September 11th affair, but it's also because docks often carry very expensive goods, in our case motor vehicles. We can't have some villain pinching a new Pontiac GTO.

 

[ian Hough]

Kalman

It was certainly not because you were foreign - I am british and I too tried to visit the dock side only last week and I was refused entrance - mainly because it is a dangerous site because it is a working dock - If you travel further up the road to Ocean village there is a tour boat which takes you into the docks the cost a mere £5 per person - you can see the photos of both the memorials and the dock at Southampton Memorials If you wish to see close ups feel free to e-mail me

All the best
Houghie

 

[Eric Sauder]

Brian:

Did you mean to say that Ocean Terminal was demolished in 1968? I thought it was 1986. Perhaps a slip of the finger?

Eric Sauder

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Eric,
Greetings - yes I did get the date wrong and on checking it was 1983 not as above.
Best regards

Brian

 

[Eric Sauder]

Sorry, Brian! I guess my finger slipped too! My thinking cap wasn't on this morning. When I sailed into Southampton for the first time on QE2 in October, 1983, the terminal was mostly demolished. My apologies for adding to the confusion!

Eric

 

[Alex McLean]

From what berth/docks is the Queen Mary 2 leaving from next April?

 

[Brian J. Ticehurst]

Alex,
The Queen Mary 2 maiden voyage from Southampton will depart from 38/39 berths (in Titanic's time this was where the New York and the Oceanic were double berthed).
As you know the old White Star dock was or is U shaped and it took up to eight or sometimes ten tugs to get liners such as the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth in and out of that dock depending on conditions.
At 38/39 berth the QE2 can and has berthed and departed from that dock without the aid of any tugs.
In readiness for the Queen Mary 2 the berth and departure area is having a multi million pound makeover to bring it in line with todays standards.
The whole port of Southampton is very very busy these days.
Best regards


Brian J. Ticehurst - Southampton

 

[Alex McLean]

Thanks, Brian. Much appreciated.

 

[Colleen Collier]

Brian Ticehurst. Just wanted to say Welcome and it is good to see your name on the board. Hope you will stick around! We'll try to make certain Geoff behaves himself!

 

[John Clifford]

I, too, want to say "Welcome Aboard!! Brian".

 

[John Clifford]

One benefit of being on a ship that departs from Berths 38 & 39 is that, when you're at the bow section, you get a great view of #41, as the ship is being turned around.

I got the chance to stand at the front of the QE2, in August 1997, and got lots of pictures of berth 41.

Jason: next April, you and I will have to go on the Harbor cruise; it will be quite a sight, seeing the Queen Mary 2, and knowing we'll be getting on board, either later that day, or the next day.

 

[Joel Harley]

Ok i had the same problem expet this time we wernt fourign. What we did is we leveled with the securiity guard and we thought we were going to get in but he told us about that boat trip which was just as good if not better!. This was a little while ago.

 

[Jason D. Tiller]

When I was there last July with my group, we were able to walk down to berth 44, take some pictures and walk back without any problems.

John: We will definitely have to take a harbour cruise next April.

Best regards,

Jason