The sinking of the Titanic was an epic, landmark tragedy. After striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic on its maiden voyage, it went beneath the frigid waters forever on April 15, 1912. Some 1,500 hapless passengers died that miserable night. In the grim aftermath, many felt that the disaster could have been averted or mitigated if it was handled differently and proper precautions had been taken. Over the years since then, the ship, unparalleled in its size (almost 900 feet) and magnificence, captured the imagination of generations. When the wreckage was found in 1985, headlines blared the news. In 1997, director James Cameron's stunning film about the maritime catastrophe was a worldwide hit. However, a theme park in the UK has a kids' ride based on the Titanic. Some are angry over what they perceive as callous insensitivity to a gruesome historical incident.
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What People Are Saying About the Controversial Ride
Per the New York Post, "The unsettling attraction is located at the Graveley Fruit Farm in Hitchin, which opened in 1981 and features berry picking, a playground and other family-friendly pursuits." The Titanic-based ride features tickets that seem like boarding passes. At one point, one end of the make-believe "ship" rises into the air just like the real vessel did right before it sank. The children on board then go racing down slides from the tilted "deck"and onto a pillowy mat. The mane "Titanic" is emblazoned on the ride, so there is no mistaking what it is meant to be.
Per the outlet, one unhappy observer noted this. "I'm sorry, but this is one of the most distasteful, disrespectful and strange attractions for children. I cannot believe that you have created a game and ride based on such a tragedy."
Carped someone else, "Why is it named Titanic? Strange bunch of people who not only enjoy, but endorse this. A simple change to the name or color of this ship would make it far less offensive and more appropriate as a children's ride."
The Farm's Response to the Vehement Criticism
According to the U.K. Sun, the theme park's Titanic model is not new. However, the heated negativity it is generating is recent. Evidently, "The farm apologised and promised to 'act ASAP' to change the name." Nevertheless, the ocean liner ride still reportedly bears the same name.
A spokesperson explained the thinking behind the Farm's actions. This individual allegedly said, "We did get some criticism at first, and we did change the name. However, we then got considerably more people telling us not to give into the woke brigade so we changed it back.Titanic has become almost a byword in the English language and there are no survivors, or children of survivors alive today."
