Floating an idea
Even before Kate and Leo sailed the story onto the silver screen, the doomed Titanic was one of the most famous shipping disasters in living memory - and now, plans to create a Titanic-themed boutique hotel out of the Belfast shipyard where the original ship was built have been announced...
Rarely has a boating disaster created as much interest as the sinking of the Titanic and it's even been made into its very own Hollywood blockbuster.
Designed to be the largest luxury ship in the world, Titanic was the subject of huge global interest on its creation in the early 1900's.
But it went to an early watery grave after hitting an iceberg and sinking on its maiden voyage on April 15th 1912. More than 1,500 people perished.
Now, in a bid to cash in on that notoriety, developers are floating the idea of transforming the former shipyard where Titanic was built - Harland and Wolff HQ at Queen's Island in east Belfast, into a luxury hotel.
It would be a real boom for Belfast's tourist industry too, and with Ireland suffering from the ongoing effects of the global economic crisis, this new themed hotel could be exactly what it needs to pull it out of the water.
A Spokesman for Titanic Quarter developers said, "Given the enormous global interest in the Titanic and the building's close association with the ship, such a hotel will add to the Northern Ireland tourist experience."
The five - star hotel would have 90 bedrooms and a spa and swimming Centre and every effort would be taken to protect the listed shipyard and Change its use in a sympathetic way.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency would be overseeing the build to ensure it respected the building.
The hotel would be part of the centrepiece Titanic Signature Project which is tasked with bringing alive the area's history.
The project will include the restoration of the Thompson Dock and the slipways where the Titanic and sister ship Olympic were built.
Let's just hope the hotel has more success than its namesake.
Picture by Sea of Legs