During the Covid pandemic, I began compiling a vast library of documents, photos, and archives centred on one of my favourite subjects: the Titanic. I created numerous 3D models, digital illustrations, diagrams, and other renders, gradually writing accompanying text. A lot of my focus was when I was practicing photo colurisation (many of my colourised photos of the ship, crew, and passengers are in use throughout the web today). I’ve also dedicated a bit of time to restoring the audio of passenger testimonials that have been digitised from tape.
At the time, I often wondered why I was dedicating so much effort to it, convincing myself repeatedly that the world hardly needed another book about the disaster.
Earlier this year, I also began working on a rock opera based on the ship and its ill-fated maiden voyage. I’ll reveal more details about that in the near future.
As a result, I revisited my designs and writings, deciding to refine and organise them into a comprehensive chronicle. The project traces the story from the origins of the White Star Line and Belfast’s shipbuilding history through to the discovery of the wreck and its enduring legacy. It also explores depictions of the Titanic that are frequently overshadowed by James Cameron’s 1997 film (a portrayal I’ve never particularly liked for what it’s worth).
Over the past few months, I’ve been assembling this material into a book. Although I’m still in the early chapters, focusing on the crew and passengers, the manuscript has already grown to approximately 500 pages in a generous 8 x 10-inch format.
The goal is to address questions I’ve always been curious about—details often overlooked, such as waste management and other operational aspects of the ship.
Publishing this book feels daunting. My vision is for a large, comprehensive, high-quality, full-colour publication, but I’ll need to assess feasibility closer to completion. To make it more affordable and practical for an independent release, I may have to publish it in volumes. However, I’m reluctant to strip any content, reduce the text size, or compromise the layout by resorting to columns. While splitting the book pains me, as does the idea that I may end up having to release a non-coloured version to bring the price down, I’ll decide once I have a clearer picture of how everything will come together.
This project has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. I’ve put paid work aside to focus on it—despite the risk it may never sell a single copy. But sometimes, a passion project is worth more than what puts food on the table. I’m excited to see how it all evolves and can’t wait to start adding the finishing touches.
Honestly, the only reason I am making it public is in the hope that one day someone might ask me where I am at with it if it becomes yet another overly-ambitious project that I spend hundreds of hours on, never to finish and release it!