澳大利亞富豪將建“泰坦尼克2”號
A maverick Australian mining billionaire, Clive Palmer, plans to build the Titanic II and sail it from England to New York by the end of 2016.
The replica of the ill-fated ship will be built at a Chinese shipyard. It will be powered by diesel rather than coal but will otherwise follow design plans approved by a historical research team and, like its predecessor, will have 840 rooms and nine decks.
Asked whether the new ship could sink, Mr Palmer, Australia's fifth-richest person, said: "Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it."
He added: "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."
Mr Palmer said the boat will have the same dimensions as the Titanic and will replicate its design as closely as possible but will have "state of the art engineering". The only differences will be below the water line, he said, and will include a bulbous bow for greater fuel efficiency and diesel generation, plus an enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for improved manoeuvrability.
"Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high class restaurants and luxury cabins," he said.
Mr Palmer, whose wealth is estimated at more than £3 billion, is well known in Australia for his outlandish whims and gestures and controversial views. He once bought Mercedes Benz cars for 55 of his top employees after a particularly good year and recently announced plans to set up a rival domestic football league because his team, Gold Coast United, was axed.
Mr Palmer, a life member of the conservative National Party, coupled his announcement of his Titanic II plans with a declaration today that he intends to run against the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, in the Queensland seat of Lilley at the next election. Mr Swan said on Twitter he was "over the moon to fight in Lilley ... against Clive".特立獨行的澳大利亞礦業富豪克萊夫•帕爾默計劃出資修建“泰坦尼克2”號遊輪，這艘遊輪將在2016年底前從英格蘭駛往紐約。
這艘遇難船隻的複製品將由中國一家造船長承建。新遊輪採用柴油驅動，而不是煤炭，但仍將遵循歷史學家研究小組通過的設計方案。和當年的泰坦尼克號一樣，新的遊輪也將有840個艙室和9層甲板。
在被問到這艘新建遊輪是否會沉沒時，帕爾默說：“當然會沉，如果你在船身上打個洞的話。”帕爾默是澳大利亞第五大富豪。
他補充說：“這艘現代化的船舶將採用各種技術進行設計，以確保不會沉沒。但當然，如果你們非常迷信，你就永遠不會知道將會發生什麼。”
帕爾默說，新船的尺寸基本與原型一致，並將儘可能重現原型的設計，但將採用“最新工程技術”。唯一的不同是在水面以下，新船將採用球鼻船首，以提高燃油效率。另外，新遊輪採用柴油驅動，船舵更大，同時安裝船首推進器，以增強機動性。
帕爾默說：“泰坦尼克2號將極盡舒適和奢華，配備船上健身房、游泳池、圖書室、高級餐廳和豪華艙室。”
帕爾默的財產據估計超過30億英鎊，他在澳大利亞以古怪的念頭、不尋常的辦事方式，以及有爭議的看法而著稱。他曾經在效益非常好的一年年末爲55名錶現最好的員工送出奔馳汽車做獎勵。最近他還宣佈將在澳大利亞國內另外成立一個足協機構，因爲他的球隊黃金海岸聯隊近日被澳大利亞足協取消聯賽註冊資格。
帕爾默是澳大利亞保守派國家黨的終身成員。他除了宣佈建造泰坦尼克2號外，還在今天宣佈有意在下屆選舉中與澳大利亞財長韋恩•斯旺爭奪昆士蘭州利利選區的席位。斯旺在推特上說，他對能在利利選區和帕爾默一決高下欣喜若狂。
