Where: Northern Ireland, Belfast, United Kingdom
Try to find the spot where the photographer was standing.
When: 01 January 1910
Try to find the date or year when this image was made.
Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding Yard, R.M.S. Olympic on the stocks (Ships Cradle).
The evidence suggests that this is not the R.M.S Olympic, rather the tragic R.M.S Titanic, while we are delighted with this and we are going to change the title to "R.M.S Titanic?" we are a little wary of the evidence supporting the decision.
I think it is possible that our photographer, at the time would want to claim Olympic rather than Titanic, as Olympic was the big news of the day. It was after all the largest liner in the world when it was launched in 1910.
Having said the above I believe it quite possible that any photo of either ship after the Titanic disaster could easily have been claimed as Titanic rather than Olympic.
Thanks to both sharon.corbet and OwenMacC for the above Titanic theory.
Collection: The Mason Photographic Collection
Date: Circa 1910
NLI Ref: M25/J/3
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 33194
The evidence suggests that this is not the R.M.S Olympic, rather the tragic R.M.S Titanic, while we are delighted with this and we are going to change the title to "R.M.S Titanic?" we are a little wary of the evidence supporting the decision.
I think it is possible that our photographer, at the time would want to claim Olympic rather than Titanic, as Olympic was the big news of the day. It was after all the largest liner in the world when it was launched in 1910.
Having said the above I believe it quite possible that any photo of either ship after the Titanic disaster could easily have been claimed as Titanic rather than Olympic.
Thanks to both sharon.corbet and OwenMacC for the above Titanic theory.
Collection: The Mason Photographic Collection
Date: Circa 1910
NLI Ref: M25/J/3
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner: National Library of Ireland on The CommonsSource: Flickr Commons
Views: 33194
thomasholmesmason
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sharon.corbet
At least according to wikipedia, the date can be narrowed to December 1908 (laid down) to October 1910 (launched) and it's probably well into 1909 at least given the level of construction.
sharon.corbet
And then I look at the NLI page, which claims 1910...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Done - 1910
Niall McAuley
Some film on Youtube here. Date is 1908-1910. NLI page says 1910.
robinparkes
All I can contribute is the correct spelling. It's Harland and Wolff.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Thanks Robin
sharon.corbet
This page has a whole history of the ship along with photos of the ship at various points. Apparently, this is "Harland & Wolff’s slip number 2" that the Olympic is being built at. "After the keel of the Olympic had been laid, the framing of the ship started and this was finished on 20 November 1909. What followed was to rivet the hull plates in place, a task that was not completed until April 1910." " By the autumn of 1910, the hull of the Olympic had been plated and painted – everything was ready for launching. The hull was painted in a light grey colour so every line of the ship would be at its best on the photographs that would be taken by the press during the ceremony. ".
sharon.corbet
More pictures of the Olympic under construction.
DannyM8
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Sharon, from your pictures it states that Titanic and Olympic spent some common time in the gantries, that must be the Titanic in the gantry to the left of this picture?
Joemon Plavunkal
Great capture
sharon.corbet
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]] That's what I was thinking, but I started getting confused between bow and stern and left and right, and then gave up. ETA: Actually am I crazy, or is there something odd going on in the position of the two ships? In the photo above, we're looking at the stern, and the Olympic is on the right. However, in the photo at the bottom we're looking at the bow, but the Olympic is still on the right, which doesn't make sense. I don't think either photo is mirrored - I think I read "Chester" on the small boat to the right above, whereas Olympic is clear on the other.
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] That link with this picture
http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/olympic/06_olympic_launch.jpg" /> you posted clearly shows the Olympic on the left cradle.(looking at stern) Which would suggest that the ship in the picture above is in fact the Titanic after the Olympic had been launched sometime after 20 October 1910 and before 31 May 1911
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] I would like to make that change to our catalogue notes!!
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland It's very odd that someone should have got those two iconic ships mixed up. It could be because the prominade deck windows look more like those of the Olympic. The Titanic's deck windows were initially the same but were changed after launch. Olympic
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Olympic_in_New_York_cropped.jpg" />
Titanic 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/RMS_Titanic_3.jpg/1920px-RMS_Titanic_3.jpg" />
sharon.corbet
Bingo! Second photo down (entitled "Titanic just before launch") is taken from a similar angle the same as the photo above. (Complete with Chester). Looks more and more likely that it's actually the Titanic...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Though we see Titanic as the icon, at the time of our photograph the big story would have been Olympic!!
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] No doubt that the "Titanic just before Launch" is the same ship as in our photo.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] I think it is the Titanic and I will compose the summary on that basis, well done the two of you.
oaktree_brian_1976
wow, good sleuthing. Was going to suggest to listen for the Celine Dion song, or ask Leo...
DannyM8
Advertisment in Irish Times one week before the sinking of the Titanic. https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/18108755292/in/dateposted-public/
DannyM8
Message from wireless operator on board Titanic to his parents on the day of sailing. "Making Slowly for Halifax. Practically un-sinkable. Don't worry". https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/17924632648/in/dateposted-public/
Cuddly Nutter
It's the Titanic Looking from this angle the Titanic was built on the right hand slipway and Olympic on the left. The Olympic's hull was painted light-grey at the time of her launch not black. In the TV series Titanic:Blood and Steel all the computer graphics show the Titanic being built on the wrong slipway.
sharon.corbet
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/shanekillen] I found a plan of Harland & Wolff earlier - Olympia was on slipway 2, Titanic on no.3. Plus another photo (or at least clearer version) from the same angle from the NMNI. So I'm more convinced that it is the Titanic than I was yesterday.
O Mac
White Star Line even had signs up so they wouldn't get mixed up themselves. www.maritimequest.com/liners/titanic/photos/const/08_tita...
DannyM8
SUDDEN DEATH KLAXON Re the Wireless operator mentioned in the Irish Times..... John George "Jack" Phillips (11 April 1887 – 15 April 1912) was a British wireless telegraphist aboard the RMS Titanic. He served as senior wireless operator on the maiden voyage of the ship. As the Titanic was sinking, Phillips worked tirelessly to send wireless messages to other ships to enlist their assistance with the rescue of the Titanic 's passengers and crew. Phillips has borne criticism for having told the radio operator of the Californian, "Shut up! I am busy, I am working Cape Race!" when interrupted on-air by his counterpart telling him that his ship was surrounded by ice. Although managing to find an overturned lifeboat to cling to, he perished in the icy Atlantic
poncho640
Nice
nannyjean35
wonderful workmanship , great photo
josephcoleman99
Hi that is an extremely fabulous image. Could I ask for your kind permission to show it on a group called North and west Belfast historical photographical society. I know the members would love to see it.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Joseph, I have answered this on your previous request. Mary
josephcoleman99
Thank you Mary x
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Original photo by Robert Welch - www.nmni.com/collections/history/photographs/welch-collec...