Australian billionaire plans to build Titanic II, Twitter asks why

Yes, an Australian billionaire is going to build a replica of the Titanic — imaginatively named the Titanic II — which is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from England to New York in late 2016. Déjà vu, anyone?

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, mining tycoon Clive Palmer has commissioned a Chinese company to construct an almost exact replica of the ill-fated vessel. The Titanic II will apparently be identical to its namesake except for a few modern luxuries, like navigation and safety systems, to prevent history from repeating itself.

Of course, we all know how things ended for the original ‘unsinkable’ Titanic, so Palmer’s words aren’t all that comforting:

“Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it.”

He added: “It is going to be designed so it won’t sink. It will be designed as a modern ship with all the technology to ensure that doesn’t happen. But, of course, if you are superstitious like you are, you never know what could happen.”

The cruise liner will be built to the same dimensions as the original, and include the same nine decks and 840 rooms. But it will also have amenities like “gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high-class restaurants and luxury cabins,” according to Palmer, and some minor structural changes to increase fuel efficiency. It will also run on diesel, not coal, since this is not 1912.

‘Titanic II’ trended worldwide on Twitter today, as users discussed the merits of constructing a replica of a ship when so many people lost their lives on the maiden voyage. Palmer views the project as a tribute to those who built the original vessel.

An Australian Billionaire plans to build the Titanic II to sail in 2016. Surely there are cheaper ways to try to kill Leonardo DiCaprio?

— The Poke(@ThePoke) April 30, 2012

Seriously, who would embark on the maiden voyage of Titanic II?

— Kimberley Ramplin (@Kimbo_Ramplin) April 30, 2012

Titanic II…. Isn’t the ship sinking once enough of a reason not to built it again? Just saying.

— huixian. (@dormiens_draco) April 30, 2012

Its only apt that someone from Down Under is building Titanic II

— Author Unknown (@Twincognito) April 30, 2012

Someone wants to create ‘Titanic II’. Luckily, there’s Global Warming, so there won’t be any icebergs to hit.

— Carlos (@FilipinoMamba24) April 30, 2012

Am I the only one who thinks the build of Titanic II is just a little bit distasteful?

— Alex Hunt (@Xander_01) April 30, 2012