THE TITANIC

Titanic Plan Hits Record Amount At Auction

A plan of the Titanic, used in the inquiry into the sinking of the ship in 1912, has sold for what is believed to be a world record price for memorabilia of the doomed boat.

The plan had been expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000 but was bought by a private collector for £220,000.

The 33ft (10m) cross-section was commissioned by what was then the British Board of Trade to help in the 36-day inquiry.

It was used by witnesses and experts to establish the cause of the tragedy, and even contains original chalk marks showing what happened.

The drawing, mounted on linen, was so pivotal to the inquiry that it was hung in the official hearing room so witnesses could refer to it constantly.

The hand-drawn plan of the Titanic was prepared by White Star Line architects for the 1912 British inquiry into the sinking of the ship, just weeks after the disaster.

It allowed the 96 witnesses called to testify to indicate various parts of the ship using a pointer.

After the inquiry concluded that the loss of the ship had been brought about by "excessive speed", the unique plan was returned to White Star.

Since then it has been in private hands and, according to the auctioneer, had not been put on public display.

"I am delighted with the new world record price of £220,000 for the sale of any item relating to Titanic," said Andrew Aldridge, of Devizes-based auctioneer Henry Aldridge & Son .

"The plan is one of the most important pieces of Titanic memorabilia ever sold and this price reflects it.

"There was interest from around the world and the new owner is delighted with his purchase."