The sinking of the ship Titanic will go down in history as one of the greatest maritime disasters of all time. The much anticipated maiden voyage of the “unsinkable’ steamship was one of the biggest events of 1912. For weeks, if not months there was nothing but talk about the newest steamship. Some of the world’s richest and most powerful people were booked on the journey to New York, not daring to miss out on her first journey.
The great ship was the brainchild of Lord Pirrie (chairman of Harland & Wolff shipbuilders) and J.Bruce Ismay (director of the White Star Line) who wanted to outdo Cunard’s Lusitania the newest and fastest liner of the day. In 1907, whilst dining together, the two men came up with a plan to build three ships each one bigger, better and more luxurious than the Lusitania. They would be named the Olympia, the Titanic and the Gigantic (later built as the HMHS Britannic).
The Titanic’s maiden voyage was a spectacle to behold. On Wednesday, April 10th, 1912, crowds gathered at Southampton to not only get a glimpse of the “Ship of Dreams” but also the world’s rich and famous. Having picked up passengers at several ports including Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland, the ship began its journey across the Atlantic to New York. On Sunday, the 14th of April at 11.39 pm, the iceberg was spotted from the crow’s nest. The warning bell was rung three times but the great ship, traveling at 21 knots, was on a collision course. The first officer ordered the engines to be stopped and put into reverse but it was too late. The world held its breath as news spread of the collision between the ship and the iceberg. Initial reports, via the wires, declared that all of the passengers were safe and sound aboard the rescue ship and were heading for Newfoundland. It was not until the following day that the horror of it all was revealed.
This website explores the history of the Titanic from its construction to its ill-fated collision with an iceberg. It will also explore the rumors and myths surrounding her sinking, such as the rumor that the cursed Hope Diamond was on board when she sank? Was it really the Titanic that sunk or was it her sister ship, Olympic? Did the band really play as the ship was sinking?
The site will also explore little known incidents and facts, including details about a fire in the coal bunker, that happen prior to the Titanic sinking. And finally, read in detail the survivor’s accounts of the events leading up to and following the ship’s tragic conclusion.
This website is built in honor of the 1635 souls who were lost on the ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic, and especially to those heroic men, who instead of trying to save themselves, stood aside that women and children might have their chance.
“They died that others may live.”
Background To The Titanic
Early in 1908 officials of the White Star Company announced that they would eclipse all previous records in shipbuilding with a vessel of staggering dimensions. The Titanic would be its name. Lord Pirrie (chairman of Harland & Wolff shipbuilders) and J.Bruce Ismay (director of the White Star Line) had concocted a plan to build three enormous ships which would become the talk of the industry and would outdo the RMS Lusitania and the RMS Mauretania, the recently-unveiled marvels of White Star’s chief competitor, Cunard Line.
The keel of the ill-fated ship was laid in the summer of 1909 at the Harland & Wolff yards, Belfast. Lord Pirrie considered one of the best authorities on shipbuilding in the world was the designer. The leviathan was launched on 31st of May, 1911, and was completed in February, 1912, at a cost of $10,000,000.
The Titanic, largest liner in commission, was a sister ship of the Olympic. The registered tonnage of each vessel is estimated as 45,000, but officers of the White Star Line say that the Titanic measured 45, 328 tons. The Titanic was commanded by Captain E.J. Smith, the White Star admiral, who had previously been on the Olympic.