Poignant re-enactment of Titanic's departure (From Daily Echo)

Flotilla to set sail from Southampton dock to mark Titanic centenary

12:10pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Southampton Exclusive By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter

Poignant re-enactment of Titanic's departure

The Titanic’s departure from Southampton will be re-enacted at the city docks to mark centenary commemorations of the liner tragedy, The Daily Echo can exclusively reveal today.

At midday on April 10, exactly 100 years since she set sail on her maiden voyage to New York, a recording of the ship’s whistle will sound around the port where most of her crew lived – and from which more than 500 households lost at least one family member.

Titanic’s departure will be re-enacted when the tug tender Calshot, which was built in the same era to manoeuvre the world’s greatest ocean liners and ferry passengers, sails from 43/44 berth, followed by a flotilla of craft.

It is anticipated that all ships in and around the port will sound their whistles as a mark of respect.

The announcement comes as the 60-day countdown to citywide commemorative events begins, including the opening of the £15m Titanic-themed SeaCity Museum at 12.15pm on April 10.

The memorial event at the docks will be held in the Ocean Terminal which overlooks the Titanic berths, where descendants of the tragedy will join civic dignitaries, representatives of maritime organisations and business and community leaders.

The story will be told of Titanic’s voyage into history and the disaster that followed when the ship struck an iceberg on 14 April, 1912.

It will be hosted by broadcaster Fred Dinenage, whose great-uncle, James Richard Dinenage, was one of Titanic’s stewards and perished along with more than 1,500 passengers and crew, 549 from Southampton.

Port chaplain The Rev Andrew Huckett, from the Southampton Seafarers Centre, will lead prayers. Those attending will be invited to place flowers into the water in memory of the victims of the tragedy.

The script for the event, written by Terry Yarwood, chairman of the Tug Tender Calshot Trust, will recount the story of the preparation for the departure of Titanic, the anticipation, excitement of the crew and passengers and the hectic activity on the quayside.

Mr Yarwood said he was “respectful” of ABP’s decision for Calshot to lead the re-enactment of the maiden voyage departure.

He said: “Visitors to Calshot are very impressed with the coal-fired boiler, because it is the same size as the boilers on board Titanic.’’ The Royal Marines Association Concert Band and the Southampton Choral Society will provide music comprising tunes from the Edwardian era and patriotic standards.

The event has been organised by dock owners Associated British Ports and Southampton Solent University.

Businesses including Red Funnel, Tug Tender Calshot, Solent Stevedores, Williams Shipping, Svitzer, ngs and Matt Bundy Events have also lent their support.

• If you had any relatives on board Titanic, get in contact with Keith Hamilton on 023 8042 4492 or by emailing keith.hamilton@dailyecho.co.uk.