THERE are some stories from Southampton's past that just refuse to fade away, none more so than that of the ill-fated liner, Titanic.

Interest in the White Star liner that sank with a huge loss of life after hitting an iceberg on her maiden voyage to New York seems, if anything, to grow stronger as the years go by.

Recently the ship's fate was retold again in an blockbuster film but even without this boost interest in Titanic has never waned.

Around the world conventions are regularly held - one of the biggest and most important is in Southampton every year - countless books have been written about the disaster and whenever memorabilia from the ship comes up for sale it always makes headlines.

Exhibitions about the liner attract massive crowds.

Now well-known Hampshire artist Rodney Charman is adding a further dimension to the continuing Titanic story with a new painting of the liner leaving Southamp-ton on April 10, 1912 at the start of the most famous maiden voyage in maritime history.

A limited edition of 850 prints have also been produced, each signed and numbered by the author together with the signature of Millvina Dean, the British survivor of Titanic, who still lives near Southampton.

With Captain Edward J Smith on the bridge the liner was towed out into Southampton Water by the tug Neptune, assisted by other similar craft Hercules, Albert Edward, Ajax and Vulcan.

This scene has now been captured in the new painting that has already caused a stir of excitement among Titanic historians.

Mr Charman, who lives at Brockenhurst, said: "I have lived all my life near Southampton and have vivid memories of seeing the great liners, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Mauretania from the trains that passed very close to the dry docks there.

"I also remember going on a passenger ferry to view the SS United States as she arrived on her maiden voyage and touring Queen Mary when she was at the Ocean Dock, as well as making a few voyages from Southampton Docks.

"My painting shows Titanic as she is edged away from the dockside, Neptune towing and tugs at her bow.

"On the left of the painting are the White Star liner Majestic, and the American Line steamers Philadelphia and St. Louis, each in its day the greatest liner in the world, now dwarfed by the enormous Titanic.

"The three liners had their voyages cancelled due to a coal strike and their fuel and many of their crew were transferred to Titanic.

"In the background can be seen the South Western Hotel where many of the passengers stayed on the eve of the voyage.''

A self-taught artist, Mr Charman works primarily in oils and specialises in marine scenes which have a reputation for their meticulous details and atmospheric effects.

Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast the 45,000-ton Titanic was considered the most advanced vessel of her time and thought to be unsinkable.

Titanic and the slightly smaller Olympic were the White Star's reply to the Cunard liners Lusitania and Mauretania.

The newcomers were mammoth ships of their day and could carry more than 2,500 passengers, far more than previous liners of that era.

Two hours after being sliced open by an iceberg Titanic slipped below the surface of the Atlantic with the loss of nearly 1,500 passengers and crew, the biggest maritime disaster in peacetime.

For more information about the Titanic painting and prints contact Rodney Charman on 01590 623898.

- Originally published March 2003.