A maverick¹ Australian mining billionaire, Clive Palmer, plans to build the Titanic² II and sail it from England to New York by the end of 2016.

特立独行的澳大利亚矿业富豪克莱夫•帕尔默计划出资修建“泰坦尼克2”号游轮，这艘游轮将在2016年底前从英格兰驶往纽约。

The replica³ of the ill-fated ship will be built at a Chinese shipyard. It will be powered by diesel⁴（柴油机） rather than coal but will otherwise follow design plans approved by a historical research team and, like its predecessor⁵, will have 840 rooms and nine decks.

Asked whether the new ship could sink, Mr Palmer, Australia's fifth-richest person, said: "Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it."

He added: "It will be designed as a modern ship with all the technology to ensure that doesn't happen. But, of course, if you are superstitious⁶（迷信的） like you are, you never know what could happen."

Mr Palmer said the boat will have the same dimensions as the Titanic and will replicate⁷ its design as closely as possible but will have "state of the art engineering". The only differences will be below the water line, he said, and will include a bulbous bow（球鼻船首） for greater fuel efficiency and diesel generation, plus an enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for improved manoeuvrability（机动性） .

"Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high class restaurants and luxury cabins," he said.

Mr Palmer, whose wealth is estimated at more than £3 billion, is well known in Australia for his outlandish（古怪的） whims⁸ and gestures and controversial views. He once bought Mercedes Benz cars for 55 of his top employees after a particularly good year and recently announced plans to set up a rival domestic football league because his team, Gold Coast United, was axed.

Mr Palmer, a life member of the conservative National Party, coupled his announcement of his Titanic II plans with a declaration today that he intends to run against the Treasurer⁹, Wayne Swan, in the Queensland seat of Lilley at the next election. Mr Swan said on Twitter he was "over the moon to fight in Lilley ... against Clive".