Read more: 100 Irish on board for the Titanic’s memorial cruise - SEE VIDEO
Read more: Steering error sunk the Titanic 100 years ago - SEE VIDEO
After almost a century it's reportedly been found: the famous violin played by the ship's bandleader as the Titanic sank.
The long missing violin that played as the tragic vessel slowly sank has been found and now careful tests are being conducted to establish its authenticity.
Titanic enthusiasts know the legend: that Wallace Hartley and seven fellow band players heroically played on until waist-deep in freezing water as the stricken ship disappeared below the ocean waves.
Hartley’s violin — a gift from his fiancee Maria Robinson — was reportedly found strapped to his chest in its case when his body was eventually recovered from the icy Atlantic waters.
But sadly it was never returned to his grieving family and in fact has been missing ever since.
But now just weeks before the 99th anniversary of Titanic tragedy, experts believe they have found the violin and unravelled the mystery of its dissapearence.
The secret of the missing violin has been uncovered and already there are plans to take it on a world tour before putting it up for sale next year where it could fetch in excess of $12 million.
"Other than retrieving the bow of the ship, this must be the most symbolic artefact of the Titanic sinking ever likely to be sold," Titanic author Steve Turner told the Belfast Telegraph. "Everyone concerned has been sworn to secrecy."
"Other than admitting to me the violin exists and that the photos I saw were genuine, the auctioneers won’t be giving out any more information until an announcement is made about its sale."
Read more: 100 Irish on board for the Titanic’s memorial cruise - SEE VIDEO
Read more: Steering error sunk the Titanic 100 years ago - SEE VIDEO
The music that played as the Titanic sunk:
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.millstreet | Mar 30, 2011, 01:11 AM EDT
It should go back to the family who already lost a loved one..the only ones who should have it..
dermot.r | Mar 30, 2011, 12:39 AM EDT
I hope that the violin is returned to the surviving members of the family.
Fleet1912 | Mar 29, 2011, 08:14 PM EDT
It belongs with the family... I hate the fact that these "For Profit" companies think that they have the right to sell a person's beloved item, it's like putting a price on their memories and anyone can buy it for the right price...
akellyny | Mar 29, 2011, 04:36 PM EDT
Give it back to his family. How sad that they think it's ok to sell it???
Barbaracvm | Mar 29, 2011, 12:09 PM EDT
Seems the violin should be returned to his family.
markn12 | Mar 29, 2011, 12:06 PM EDT
Many things will surface around the 100th anniversary, including books on the subject. I recently read the newly released book, The Band that Played On, about the 8 musicians, including Hartley, that gave their lives playing music to keep passengers calm while the Titanic was sinking. Here's the Amazon link, if you're interested: http://dld.bz/SM8u
KerryLKing | Mar 29, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
yep, so true celticmoon!! Will obviously help the auction process & total sale amount!!! So, sad that it's not automatically going back to any surviving relations.....
Kilsally | Mar 29, 2011, 11:33 AM EDT
The Belfast News Letter has an article today about upcoming 100 year anniversary events http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/titanic_100_events_mark_launch_of_liner_1_2542370
celticmoon | Mar 29, 2011, 10:07 AM EDT
Isn't it ironic that this story surfaces near the anniversary date of the sinking ????