Welcome to the official
website of the
Canadian
Society
Simcoe, Ontario
Canada
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(Click on the plaque)
20-foot model/float
Table of Contents:
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FEED BACK
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***Move your mouse to the top of the "First Funnel" and click to "Sound the Whistles"!!
***PLEASE NOTE: If you are on "Dial-up" there WILL be a delay in hearing the "Whistles"!
Simcoe Mayor, "Rita Kalmbach" and "Norm" shown with the "Grand Majesty" prior to the 2003 parade
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CTS-20.75-foot model/float nearing completion of construction as she sits on display at the "ZEHRS FAMILY DAY" in Simcoe on Saturday, June 18th, 2005. This event was held to raise money for the "Simcoe Fire Department's" NEW trailer for educating adults and children in the dangers of fire in homes.
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CTS-model/float on exhibit at the "Dunnville Airport Museum" in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
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(Left to right)
Norm Lewis, Gary Koncir (Koncir Automotive-Simcoe) and Ralph White
***Koncir Automotive is one of our "sponsors" whose truck pulls the 20-foot float/model in every parade and exhibit!
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** In 1912, TITANIC had a fire burning in one of the "coal bunkers" which wasn't extinguished until the fourth day. Ironically a few days before the "ZEHRS" exhibit, the 30-foot trailer used to transport our "model/float", had an "electrical fire" which took two days to repair! Food for thought?
CTS trailer (for transporting "model/float") and some of the many "Sponsors"!!
Conception
In the latter part of 2001, an idea was conceived to build a 20.75-foot scale model/float of "R.M.S. TITANIC" to promote the society, to help boost tourism for Canada as well as our local area, and most importantly raise funds for the "Canadian Titanic Society" (a non-profit organization). A portion of the revenue that will be generated will be used to get our journals (The Wireless: Voice of the Canadian Titanic Society) back up and running and in addition, build/revamp our exhibits.
It has been a long tiring process finding the many sponsors that it would take to accomplish this undertaking. I, (Norm) am NOT a "professional" model builder by any stretch of the imagination. Once the ball started to roll, it got easier every day as I made mistakes and learned from those mistakes. I did the best that I could with the knowledge, tools and materials that I had on hand and additional materials were donated by "sponsors". In the summer of 2003 although the model/float was NOT completed, the press/local newspaper (at the CTS office for an unrelated event) was shown the incomplete model and told the purpose of this major project. They encouraged us to enter it in the upcoming "Friendship Weekend Festival" in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada for the sole purpose of introducing it to the public. Their justification was that the detail would NOT be seen from the sidelines and it would be a nice addition to the parade. Reluctantly we entered the "Grand Majesty" (pet nickname for TITANIC) and we were honoured with a "First Prize Ribbon" on her maiden voyage. (pun intended)
Rained On The Parade
Unfortunately, the bad news is that it "literally, rained-on-our-parade". This caused extensive water damage to the model requiring her to be placed back into the shop to be repaired and refurbished. In fact the entire "fantail" had to be completely rebuilt! However, this time the "fantail" was built lighter, more detailed, and with a motor and chain-drive so that in the next parade/exhibit, she will have all three propellers working, plus added features.
Added Features
In addition to the working propellers, smoke will spew from three of the four funnels as well as her "Whistles" will sound, thanks to "Wes Harrison, Mr. Sound Effects" (who used to work for Walt Disney and Walter Lanz,) for the indoor display, and thanks also to G. Michael Harris -("TITANIC"-The Exhibition,) in Orlando, Florida, for the "Digital Recording" of the "ACTUAL-Titanic Whistles" for outdoor exhibits/parades, and for the use of the "whistle-sound" on this web site.
**Click on "Whistles" to hear them sound!!
**COPYRIGHT-2005-ALL RIGHT RESERVED-G. Michael Harris**
The original “Titanic Whistles” were two feet high and approximately three feet wide, made of bronze and weighed 750 lbs. Although there were four whistles on Titanic which were mounted at the top of the four funnels, the third and fourth funnel-whistles were only dummies for cosmetic purposes. The “First Two” were the only ones that actually worked.
When the “whistles” were salvaged in 1993, they went through a restoration process to restore them to their original condition. However, due to their age, less pressure was used (because of their fragile state) to “sound” them when they were eventually blown on February 21, 1999. They are presently on display in Orlando, Florida at “Titanic-The Exhibition”.
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Lights will work for indoor display and the entire model now has a "diorama" of water and "growlers" surrounding her and will have a scale model of the "iceberg" in front, giving the impression of moments before the collision. She was also designed to give a gradual sinking impression in progress on both sides as well as the "Port side" showing slight twisting and flexing of the ship as she was sinking (builder's license applied as she didn't actually start to twist and flex until she was higher out of the water), and the "Starboard side" being basically normal as she would be traveling through the water. In time, other features such as "cut-way" sections showing furniture, swimming pool etc. will be an added option for indoor exhibits.
Trailer
After reading about the water damage sustained in the parade, an independent "private" sponsor came forward and offered the funding to custom build a 30-foot trailer in order to transport the 20.75-foot model/float to parades and individual exhibits and art galleries, shopping malls, museums, and sponsor/merchants who want to use it to *promote their business*.
The general frame-work of the trailer was built by the "advanced" welding students of "Fanshaw College" in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada prior to their graduation. The trailer was then moved over to "Rassaun Steel Manufacturing" where the ribs, donated by "Canadian Blue Bird Coach" of Brantford, Ontario, were welded to the base-frame of the trailer. Once this was completed, the trailer was then sent to a paint shop for painting and then to another area for the "aluminum-siding" to be installed, the completion of the flooring, and the installation of the lights. Once the trailer was completed, it then went to "Stripe-Art" of Simcoe, Ontario, where the "signage" donated by "Stripe-Art" was applied to the trailer. Additional signage was donated by, "Armstrong Signcrafts" of RR#3 Simcoe, Ontario.
**The "sponsors" of the project will have "Life-time" access to the model/float by simply booking it in advance of their promotions whereas "non-sponsor" merchants/exhibitors/individuals/trade shows etc., will be able to rent the model/float at a modest fee including delivery and set-up. Non-profit and charitable organizations will be "complimentary" with exception given to traveling-time/distance and purpose of event, in which case an "expenditure fee" may be in order.
We will be adding "progressional photos" of the construction of both the Titanic-model/float as well as the 30-foot trailer that is now used to transport it.
Please bear with us as these accomplishments transpire, as we have found a "VOLUNTEER" WEB-MASTER to update and /or redesign and maintain the CTS web site. Thank you.
Norm and Shirley (secretary/treasurer) most of their time is taken up with trying hard to put the final touches on the project for display and parades. It is VERY time consuming and although there were many volunteers (personal hands-on) and well-wishers in the beginning, none of those materialized and therefore with the exception of our many sponsors and CLOSE friends, the majority of the work has been done by Shirley & Norm with the occasional assistance of four people (Dave Slote, Lynn Jaques (Deceased), Joe Kovacs and Wayne Houghton!). The estimated "completion" date of the "model/float" was to be May of 2006. However, due to health problems and quite a few set-backs, it is NOW... HOPEFULLY... May of 2007, providing there are no further set-backs!
Thank you for visiting and please check back for "parade/exhibit" schedules and updates!!
**Check back periodically for "updates".
