Bec Oakes
You'd think the human race would learn from its past mistakes, but that hasn't stopped one billionaire from building a replica of the ill-fated Titanic that he hopes will set sail in 2027.
We all know the history of the Titanic, as told in James Cameron's 1997 epic disaster film.
The world's largest ocean liner at the time — the RMS Titanic — sank on 15 April 1912 after hitting an iceberg in the Northern Atlantic Ocean during its maiden voyage, killing an estimated 1,500 of the 2,224 passengers and crew onboard.
Now, Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer has announced plans to build a vessel 'far, far superior than the original' as he unveils designs for his Titanic II project... again.
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Palmer, 69, first 'launched' his Titanic II dream almost 10 years ago, and when asked if it was a publicity stunt, he said that was "bulls**t, really' and that he had 'enough money to build the Titanic 10 times over.'
What a humble guy.
But his plans hit an iceberg of their own when work on Palmer's ship was suspended in 2015 following a payment dispute.
But it seems there's been an update as on Wednesday (13 March), Palmer hired a room at the Sydney Opera House to let the world know that his replica Titanic was finally going to be built.
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He blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for past delays and said people should believe him this time because he's 'got more money now.'
He promised his company Blue Star Line would construct 'the ship of love and the ultimate in style and luxury' but did acknowledge that he hasn't yet secured a shipyard.
Palmer, who turns 70 later this month, said he could die having 'done nothing.'
"So I could do the Titanic. I’m gonna do it," he told the press. "It’s a lot more fun to do the Titanic than it is to sit at home and count my money."
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Palmer is confident that construction could start on the vessel by early next year, with the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York – replicating the ill-fated original voyage – scheduled for June 2027.
Now, I love Jack and Rose as much as the next person but, given what happened last time the Titanic set sail, this doesn't seem like the greatest of ideas.
And X (Twitter) certainly seems to agree, with a number of users taking to the site to voice their concern.
One user quoted J Cole, writing: "History repeats itself & that’s just how it goes," while another said: "Yeah, because the first one did great."
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A third wrote: "Ocean Gate 2.0 incoming."
And a fourth commented: "The funniest thing about rich people is that they will never learn their lesson."