TITANIC CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Found on Corporation Street down near the docks in the area of Belfast commonly refered to as Sailortown. Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office is some place. Built of solid rugged Scrabo sandstone it cuts an imposing impressive figure on the shipyard landscape.
Inside it literally drips with luxury and rich opulence. Tall marble pillars throughout, mosaic floors everywhere, a grand wide staircase, wonderful magestic sculptures, numerous historical paintings. The place is a treasure trove- and taking pride of place beneath the main beautiful stained glass windows, is the original captain's table and chairs meant for the Titanic.
Few people have darkened this buildings doors of late, certainly not cruise ship tourists or ordinary members of the public. Most people I suspect are unaware what lies behind the massive doors or whether they would be allowed entry even to have a quick look around. They are! there is even a room giving the history ogf the commissioners and an interactive screen detailing all the lesser known wonders of Belfast. there is even an exhidition centre and an art gallery! Come and see it for yourself!

The earliest building (east front) was designed in 1854 by the Board engineer George Smith with a clock tower to regulate sailings. The second phase in 1895 (Corporation Square) contains the splendid public rooms; the modern office block was added in 1970.

The headquarters of the Harbour Commissioners, responsible for overseeing the development and running of Belfast Port, has on show the magnificent captain’s table and chairs which Gilbert Logan designed for Titanic, but which were delivered just too late (it is said they were subsequently shipped to Southampton, just in time to see Titanic disappear on the horizon). Lord Pirrie, himself a Harbour Commissioner, would have been a frequent, and persuasive, presence in the boardroom. Nearby, are two restored graving docks used by William Ritchie, Belfast’s first major shipbuilder.

Listed building.

The Ulster History Circle have erected a Blue Plaque dedicated to Pioneer Ship Builder William Ritchie 1756-1834. William, a Scot, transferred his shipbuilding business from Ayrshire to Belfast, to the site of the Old Lime Kiln on the River Lagan. A year later the 300 ton Herbernia, the first vessel to be built in the shipyard was launched.
Further
The present site of the Harbour Office has been in use since 1847 as the headquarters of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The building was constructed between 1847 - 1854, firstly designed by George Smith in 1854 and later by the Belfast architect William Henry Lynn. The building was done in style of an Italian palazzo. It features some gorgeous marble mosaic floors and stunning stained glass windows the most impressive of which shows the Seal of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, others depict commerce, ship building and enterprise as well as featuring a number of the coat of arms of cities with which Belfast has done business.

The site is also home to a fascinating art galley. The collection here has been built up over the years by Harbour Commissioners. The gallery is located in ornate and opulent rooms decorated in Victorian fashion, the art works nestle themselves happily on these walls. The rooms boast work from prominent Irish artists such as; William Conor and Joseph Carey. There are also a number of sculptures from France and Italy. Mainly though the collection is impressive in its historical importance. There are a number of old landscapes, historical events and relevant scenes from Belfast's past. For example there is an 1851 painting of Belfast Harbour's Ferry Steps. Other pieces include the portrait of Sir Robert Baird, Proprietor of the Belfast Telegraph and Harbour Commissioner from 1932 to 1934.

Ooops pardon the edit error I repeated my film intro at the end. I'm not changing it now -sorry.

P S Just read this Belfast Harbour info in this mornings BBC news.
Belfast Harbour handled a record 23m tonnes of cargo in 2014, up 1.6% on 2013.
The performance is 46% above the low point of the recession in 2009. The level of new car imports also rose by 10% to 48,000, its highest level since 2007.

The amount of cement moving through the port increased fivefold to 79,000 tonnes.
However, total cement tonnages remain less than one third of pre-recession levels, reflecting the continuing depression in the construction industry.
Ferry passenger numbers remained steady during 2014 at 1.4m while cruise passengers calling at Belfast increased by 23% to a record 112,000

Видео TITANIC CAPTAIN'S TABLE канала Tom McClean Positive Belfast