Titanic Disaster

British luxury passenger liner sank

Just before midnight, on April 14, 1912, the British luxury passenger liner Titanic sank en route to New York City from Southampton after a collision with a huge iceberg. About 1500 passengers including ship personnel were killed in the disaster.

Rich and famous people

On board were many rich and famous people. The American millionaires Benjamin Guggenheim, Isodor Straus and John Astor were among the dead.

Maiden voyage Titanic

It was the maiden voyage of the ship that was proclaimed unsinkable. Sixteen watertight compartments should avoid the Titanic to sink.
The Titanic was one of the largest luxurious ships in the world at that time. The ship had a registered tonnage of 46,329 tons, meaning that fully laden the ship was 66,000 tons. The liner was 269 meters long and 28 meters wide at its widest point.

Titanic to serve on the Atlantic route

Harland and Wolff built the Titanic to serve on the Atlantic route. Aviation was still in its infancy and travelling by ship was the only way between America and Europe. Economies were expanding and industries began to internationalize. A great demand for goods and personal to cross the Atlantic was foreseen.

Disaster struck

Shortly before midnight disaster struck the Titanic. An iceberg punctured five of the 16 compartments and the ship started to sink.
Unfortunately only 1200 lifeboat spaces were available to rescue all 2200 passengers and crew members. Furthermore a lot of lifeboats were partly filled with passengers. As a result 1500 people died.

Subsequently investigations

Subsequently investigations showed that a nearby ship, the Californian, could have saved many people. However the radio officer of this ship was asleep when the emergency call was sent by the Titanic.

Conventions for safety at sea

The disaster resulted in conventions for safety at sea. New rules were drawn up requiring that every ship had a lifeboat space for each person and that lifeboat drills should be held during each voyage.

Wreck of the Titanic

In September 1985 the wreck of the Titanic was found lying in two pieces on the ocean floor. The ship was explored several times and the cause of the incident could be established. The impact of the iceberg had produced a series of fractures in the adjacent hull plates.

Jewels, artifacts and dishes

In 1987 a French salvage team retrieved jewels, artifacts and dishes, which were exhibited in Paris later that year.

More information

History Home
Bridge at Remagen
Hirsh Goodman