Gwinnett Daily Post

From two-and-a-half miles below the ocean's surface to right in front of your eyes, the items on display in the exhibition Titanic Aquatic have traveled far since the infamous ship departed Southampton, England, bound for unexpected tragedy.

After receiving a boarding pass for White Star Line's R.M.S. Titanic, guests can enter Titanic Aquatic, in its worldwide debut exhibition at the Georgia Aquarium. The exhibit is filled with more than 190 artifacts - chamber pots, floor tiles, a toothpaste jar, china and passengers' clothing - retrieved from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where the wreckage of the passenger liner came to rest after crashing into an iceberg on its maiden voyage to New York City. The exhibition features 40 artifacts on display for the first time.

Some of the highlights of the Titanic exhibition include the hands-on interactive experiences, one of which places guests at the helm of the 822-foot ship in an attempt to navigate around the iceberg dead ahead.

Titanic Aquatic also tells the personal stories of passengers, some who survived and some who perished that cold, fateful night in 187 years ago.

"Georgia Aquarium tells the stories of our oceans, not just the aquatic life that teems within, but the incredible journeys we as people have taken across our seas," said Carey Rountree, senior vice president of aquarium sales and marketing. "No aquatic story is more compelling than that of the "unsinkable' ship, Titanic."

SideBar: If You Go

· What: Titanic Aquatic

· When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays

· Where: Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. N.W., Atlanta

· Cost: $34 for adults, $28.50 for seniors and $25.50 for children

· For more information: Call 404-581-4000 or visit www.georgiaaquarium.org