Key Facts at a Glance
The RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912 after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Below is a concise overview of essential facts, followed by a detailed exploration of design, voyage, disaster, and legacy.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Name | RMS Titanic | Official records |
| Owner / Operator | White Star Line | Company archives |
| Type | Passenger liner / Ocean liner | Design plans |
| Route | Southampton to New York City | Voyage logs |
| Departure Date | 10 April 1912 | Historical logs |
| Fate | Sank 15 April 1912 after iceberg collision | Board of Trade inquiry |
| Estimated Deaths | More than 1,500 of about 2,200 aboard | Board of Trade and US inquiry reports |
Design, Specifications, and Construction
Titanic was conceived as the largest and most luxurious passenger ship of her time. Designed by Harland and Wolff in Belfast under the leadership of naval architect Thomas Andrews, the ship embodied early 20th century confidence in engineering and maritime safety. Her size, divided into numbered compartments, was intended to make her "unsinkable" under contemporary safety assumptions.
Key Specifications
Registered in Liverpool, Titanic measured approximately 882 feet 9 inches (269.1 m) in length and 92 feet 6 inches (28.2 m) in beam. Built with 16 main compartments separated by watertight doors, she was equipped with lifeboats sufficient for about half the people on board, a standard that did not anticipate a disaster of this scale. Her gross registered tonnage was about 46,328 GRT, and she was powered by triple-expansion reciprocating engines plus a low-pressure steam turbine delivering up to about 46,000 horsepower.
Maiden Voyage and Passenger Experience
Titanic’s maiden voyage began on 10 April 1912 from Southampton, with calls at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, before heading for New York. Aboard were around 890 crew and 1,317 passengers, including prominent families, immigrants in third class, and notable figures of the era. First-class accommodations offered grand public rooms, sumptuous dining, and spacious cabins, while third class provided more basic but functional quarters. The voyage reflected the social hierarchies and technological optimism of the period.
Notable Passengers and Crew Roles
- Captain Edward J. Smith, the White Star Line’s most senior captain, commanded the ship.
- Thomas Andrews, the ship’s designer, was on board to observe performance and make notes.
- Wireless operators Jack Phillips and Harold Bride managed distress messages during the crisis.
- Passengers such as Isidor Straus and Ida Straus exemplified stories of loyalty and sacrifice later widely reported.
The Iceberg Collision and Sinking
On the evening of 14 April 1912, Titanic received several iceberg warnings, which were relayed to the bridge but not always acted upon with the urgency the situation later demanded. At 11:40 pM ship’s time, lookouts spotted an iceberg directly ahead; the helmsman ordered hard-a-port, and the engines were ordered stopped, but the ship’s turning radius and momentum carried the hull along a glancing blow that opened multiple compartments below the waterline. Thomas Andrews quickly determined that the ship would sink, leading to a gradual abandonment process complicated by insufficient lifeboats and unclear priorities.
Timeline of Key Events on 14–15 April 1912
| Date/Time | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 10 April 1912 | Departs Southampton | Start of the maiden voyage |
| 14 April 11:40p.m. | Iceberg sighted and collision occurs | Critical damage initiates sinking |
| 14 April 11:50p.m. | First distress call CQD, later SOS | Signals nearby ships and onshore stations |
| 14 April 12:15a.m. | Lifeboat loading begins | Evacuation proceeds amid confusion and incomplete loading |
| 14 April 2:20a.m. | Titanic sinks | Loss of the ship concludes in less than 3 hours |
| 14 April 4:00a.m. | Carpathia begins rescue | First responsive rescue vessel arrives on scene |
Rescue and Aftermath
After the collision, Titanic’s wireless operators transmitted distress calls, reaching the SS Californian, which failed to respond effectively, and the SS Carpathia, which arrived about an hour and 40 minutes after the sinking and took on survivors. Of the approximately 2,200 people aboard, more than 1,500 perished, making it one of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters at the time. Survivors were brought to New York, where public attention, investigations, and grief quickly followed. Bodies were recovered by ships and efforts were made to return remains to families where possible.
Immediate Investigations
Both the U.S. Senate and the British Board of Trade conducted inquiries, examining crew decisions, lifeboat provisions, wireless communications, and ship design. These inquiries led to widespread reforms, including updated lifeboat regulations and improved radio communication protocols.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Titanic has remained a powerful symbol in culture and memory, shaping public understanding of class, technology, and risk. The wreck was discovered in 1985 by Robert Ballard’s expedition, lying in two main pieces about 12,500 feet (3,800 m) below the surface. Subsequent expeditions and studies have documented the condition of the site and the stories of artifacts. The disaster continues to inform maritime regulation, safety drills, and engineering risk assessment, ensuring that lessons from Titanic remain relevant for ship design and emergency planning.
Why Facts About Titanic Still Matter
- Engineering insight: Her design influenced later ocean liner safety standards.
- Regulatory impact: Led to lifeboat rules, radio monitoring, and iceberg patrols.
- Human stories: Personal accounts illuminate decisions under extreme pressure.
- Archaeological significance: The wreck is a protected site studied by scientists.
Reliable Sources and Further Context
Information presented here is drawn from authoritative sources such as the U.S. Senate Inquiry, the British Board of Trade investigation, and documented records from the International Ice Patrol. Historical logs, passenger and crew lists, and subsequent scholarly studies support the details above. Ongoing archaeological research and legal frameworks continue to shape how the site is preserved and reported.
Conclusion
Facts about the Titanic encompass engineering achievements, operational decisions, human behavior, regulatory change, and enduring cultural memory. Understanding these verified details helps clarify what happened, why it mattered then, and why it continues to inform safety and storytelling today.