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The Titanic was built by hand using a workforce of thousands of young men. Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Harland & Wolff was responsible not only for building the Titanic itself, but also most of its interior and fittings.
This incredibly rare apprenticeship receipt is dated 2nd March 1916. An apprenticeship with Harland & Wolff was an incredible opportunity for young men interested in shipbuilding. At the time, Harland & Wolff was one of the biggest shipyards in the world, responsible not only for the Titanic and its sister ships, but literally hundreds of other vessels.
With the exception of unskilled workers, who were usually tasked with jobs such as hull riveting, an apprenticeship was the only way to join Harland & Wolff; and you could only be accepted by recommendation. As a result, trades usually stayed within families.
The receipt reads:
