Mitchell buys a piece of Titanic history (From Swindon Advertiser)

Mitchell buys a piece of Titanic history

4:10pm Wednesday 22nd October 2008

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A FRAGMENT of maritime history has ended up in a Purton teenager’s bedroom.

Mitchell Tovey, 13, has seen the Hollywood adaptation of the story of doomed passenger liner RMS Titanic more than 100 times.

And because of that he has become fascinated by its tragic story.

So when the chance arose to bid for a piece of the ship, up for auction in Devizes, he leapt at the chance.

On Saturday the Bradon Forest School pupil bid £135 for a floor tile from the sunken vessel.

“It is really exciting and cool to have something so old,” he said.

“I like history and the Titanic is really interesting.

“I really like the film as well.

“I’m not sure where I’ll put the tile yet. Maybe in my bedroom.

“My dad Pat helped me bid at the auction. It was good to get it. It’s nearly 100 years old.”

The youngster saved up his pocket money and funds from his weekly paper round to be able to afford the tile, which is framed.

The brown and green coloured tile, measuring 12ins by 12ins, is made from an asbestos sheet.

Mitchell went to Henry Aldridge and Son, in Devizes, which was auctioning off a number of Titanic linked mementoes, including items owned by one of the last survivors of the ill-fated cruise liner.

His mum Treena, 34, said: “He absolutely loves it and really pleased to have something from the Titanic.

“It would have been in a smoking room on board.

“Everyone has been coming round and having a look at it.

“He has watched the film so many times I’ve lost count. To have a piece from the ship is amazing.”

The passenger liner was owned by White Star Line and built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast in Ireland.

The ship began her maiden voyage from Southampton bound for New York City with Captain Edward Smith in command.

It sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912 and 1,517 people on board were killed.

The Titanic had been built using some of the most advanced technology available at the time and was believed to be unsinkable.