Billionaire Palmer unveils plans to rebuild the Titanic

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer has unveiled his plans to build the Titanic II cruise liner, an almost exact match of the original, ill-fated, Titanic.

At a press conference in New York, held on the day that is was confirmed that the Australian PGA Championship would no longer be held at his Coolum Resort, Palmer showed off plans for the ship, which will be constructed in China.

Palmer said passengers on the ship would have to wear period costumes and mingling between passengers crusing in its three classes would be prevented.

However, the plan is proving controversial and a relative of the Titanic's captain has said it is in "poor taste".

More than 1,500 people died when the Titanic hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic on 14th April 1912 and sank the following morning.

Palmer, who created the company Blue Star Line last year to build his ship, rejected suggestions that building the replica his plan was disrespectful to those who drowned in the 1912 disaster.

Palmer expects the Titanic II to makes its maiden voyage in 2016. 

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