First Officer’s belongings on display at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition for a limited time

First Officer Murdoch Titanic The Artifact Exhibition
Personal belonging from First Officer Murdoch will be on display for a limited time at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition in Las Vegas and Orlando.

Over a century after its sinking, the Titanic continues to fascinate, and for a limited time the First Officer’s rarely-seen personal belongings recovered from the wreck will be displayed at the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition locations in Las Vegas and Orlando.

In commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the discovery of RMS Titanic’s wreck site, six personal possessions belonging to First Officer William Murdoch will be on display for a limited time at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition inside Luxor Hotel and Casino starting Sept. 1. The artifacts, which will be on exhibit in Las Vegas through October before heading to the Orlando Exhibition, have only been available for public viewing once in 2012.

“Due to our continued research of our collection and Titanic, First Officer Murdoch is one of a handful of passengers and crew members whom we were able to directly identify personal possessions,” said Alexandra Klingelhofer, vice president of collections for Premier Exhibitions, Inc. “It is extremely difficult to link the artifacts to passengers aboard the ‘Ship of Dreams’ unless they are enclosed in a protective suitcase or other leather casing with the passenger’s name or initials inscribed. Murdoch’s discovery is incredible because it gives us the chance to help tell a story that was thought to be lost with the great ocean liner.”

First Officer Murdoch was on the bridge when the “Unsinkable Ship” collided with the iceberg that fateful night in 1912 and tried to save the Ship before assisting passengers into lifeboats. Murdoch’s recovered belongings include a toiletry kit, which contained a shoe brush, an official White Star Line officer’s button, a straight razor, a pair of long-johns and a smoking pipe.
William Murdoch's pipe, part of a special display at Titanic The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor
Some of the following clues that link the artifacts directly to Murdoch include:
· Toiletry Kit: William Murdoch’s initials, “W.M.” are clearly embossed on the leather bag.
· White Star Line Officer Button: Officers were given uniforms, but needed to purchase their own buttons, making easily-accessible spares necessary.
· Straight Razor: For many years, Murdoch sported a mustache, but with marriage and entrance into the Royal Navy Reserve, he shaved it off.
· Long-Johns: Officers and crew members had multiple pairs of long-johns, which would have been necessary for Murdoch’s frigid overnight shifts.

Titanic Officers were given uniforms, but needed to purchase their own buttons, making easily-assessable spares necessary

Born to a Scottish seafaring family in 1873, William Murdoch was destined for the sea. On April 14th, First Officer Murdoch entered Titanic’s bridge shortly before 10:00 p.m. to begin his watch and relieve Officer Lightoller. As soon as the lookouts spotted the iceberg, Murdoch—in a matter of seconds—gave the order “Hard-a-starboard!” and then telegraphed the engine room “Stop. Full speed astern.” He then threw the switch to close the watertight doors. Once the situation was realized, Murdoch spent the remainder of his time loading the starboard lifeboats. First Officer Murdoch did not survive the sinking.

First Officer William Murdoch's toiletry kit

For more information and ticket prices for both Exhibitions locations, visit premierexhibitions.com, and watch this 20112 pisode of Attractions The Show for a tour of Orlando’s Titanic exhibit on International Drive:

The Show - January 19, 2012 - Orlando Attractions Magazine - Episode 59
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