Almost as important as gay culture on board- I also learned that Liverpool was a major maritime center in the early days. White Star lines and I believe Cunard we're both headquartered here, and this was an important port for sailings to North America as well as other parts of the world. It was only until the late 1800's/early 1900's which Southampton overtook Liverpool as a great port. In World War II, the command center for convoys was in Liverpool. Convoys didn't come about from truckers on the interstate, I learned. These we're actually used as protection vs German U-boats/submarines in World War II.
There was also a display on the Lituania (sp), a passenger liner which was bombed by the German's in World War 1. Even though the move of bombing a passenger ship was largely comdemned, it seemed like the captain was condoned for his actions. The German's did the same to another ship in World War II. This time, there we're strict international laws condeming bombing passenger ships-but I don't think the officer was punished either.
There was also a Titanic exhibit, explaining the Titanic's connection to Liverpool. I believe 17 passengers out of the thousand+ on the Titanic we're from Liverpool (and White Star Lines was headqurtered here). The Titanic connection seems sort of a desperate attempt to cash in on the movie that is now 18 years old and somewhat inauthentic.
