The RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of 15 April 1912, following a collision with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. Built in Belfast as the largest and most luxurious ship of her time, the Titanic was operated by the White Star Line and carried around 2,224 people. More than a maritime disaster, the event reshaped safety regulation, public perception of technology, and seafaring practice. This profile provides verified details on the ship’s design, construction, voyage, sinking, aftermath, discoveries, and lasting cultural and historical significance.
Design and Construction
Designed as a trio of Olympic-class liners, Titanic was conceived as a benchmark in size, comfort, and safety. Her scale reflected both engineering ambition and commercial competition in transatlantic travel.
Key Dimensions and Capacities
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 882 feet 9 inches (269.1 m) | Builder records and survey plans |
| Beam (width) | 92 feet 6 inches (28.2 m) | Shipyard specifications |
| Gross register tonnage | 46,328 GRT | Official registry |
| Propulsion | Two reciprocating triple-expansion engines plus a low-pressure turbine producing about 46,000 indicated horsepower | Engineering schematics and trials data |
| Service speed | Designed service speed approximately 21–22 knots (24–25 mph; 39–40 km/h) | Test reports and White Star Line documentation |
| Passenger capacity (typical load) | About 3,547 across all classes (with lifeboat capacity for roughly 1,178) | Survivor lists and Board of Trade requirements |
Safety Features and Regulations of the Era
Titanic incorporated 16 main compartments with remotely closable watertight doors and an electrical system considered advanced for 1912. Lifeboat capacity was determined by Board of Trade tonnage rules of the day, not by a fixed number intended for everyone on board. Regulations required lifeboat capacity for about half the number of people on board, a standard later revised after the disaster.
The Maiden Voyage and Sinking Timeline
Titanic departed Southampton on 10 April 1912, called at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, before setting a westward course. On 14 April, after receiving multiple ice warnings, the ship maintained high speed in a known ice field. At 11:40 p.m., she struck an iceberg on the starboard side. Over the following two hours and forty minutes, progressive flooding led to the launch of lifeboats, many not filled to capacity, and the eventual breakup and sinking at approximately 2:20 a.m. on 15 April.
Chronological Highlights
- 10 April 1912: Departs Southampton on maiden voyage.
- 12 April 1912: Reports heavy pack ice in north Atlantic; vessels relay warnings.
- 14 April 1912, 11:40 p.m.: Collision with iceberg recorded in ship’s log.
- 14–15 April 1912, late night: Lifeboat loading begins; protocols and communication affect evacuation efficiency.
- 15 April 1912, approximately 2:20 a.m.: Ship sinks; approximately 1,512 lives lost.
- 15 April 1912 onward: Rescue operations led by Carpathia bring survivors to New York.
Passenger and Crew Experience
Aboard Titanic, first-class accommodations included spacious cabins, dining rooms, a gymnasium, and a grand staircase. Second- and third-class facilities were more modest but well-appointed for their time. Crew comprised approximately 885 members, including stewards, engineers, and deckhands, many of whom perished in the sinking. Survivor accounts describe a mix of orderly behavior and moments of chaos, leading to enduring narratives about class disparities during evacuation.
Post-Sinking Investigations and Safety Reforms
Official inquiries in the United Kingdom and the United States identified issues including insufficient lifeboats, inadequate drills, and shortcomings in navigation and bridge procedures. Their recommendations helped establish the International Ice Patrol and led to revised lifeboat regulations, continuous radio watch requirements, and improved safety standards still reflected in modern maritime law.
Discovery and Wreck Exploration
The wreck of Titanic was located in 1985 on the seabed approximately 370 miles (600 km) south-southeast of Newfoundland, at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,800 m). Subsequent expeditions have documented the condition of the hull, artifacts, and the extent of deterioration due to natural processes and salvage activity. These dives have informed historical understanding while raising ongoing ethical discussions about conservation and access.
Legacy in Culture and Memory
Titanic has inspired books, films, exhibitions, and scholarly research, serving as a frequent case study in engineering ethics, organizational behavior, and risk management. The story continues to shape public interest in maritime history and underwater archaeology, with the wreck treated as both a memorial site and a subject of ongoing scientific study.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | 31 May 1911 | Launched at Harland & Wolff, Belfast |
| Maiden voyage departure | 10 April 1912 from Southampton | Planned transatlantic service to New York |
| Date and time of sinking | 15 April 1912, approximately 2:20 a.m. ship time | About 2 hours 40 minutes after iceberg collision |
| Estimated total on board | About 2,224 people | Passengers and crew combined |
| Survivors | Approximately 706 | Rescued primarily by RMS Carpathia |
| Deaths | Approximately 1,512 | One of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters |
| Wreck discovery year | 1985 | Located by a team led by Robert Ballard |
| Current condition | Deteriorating site subject to natural and human impacts | Documented by multiple expeditions since discovery |
References and Further Reading
Details in this profile draw from official inquiries, White Star Line and International Mercantile Marine records, U.S. Senate and British Wreck Commissioner investigations, and peer-reviewed maritime historical research. Publicly available logs, survivor testimonies, and contemporary news coverage corroborate the timeline and technical attributes described above.
For deeper study, consult maritime archives, museum exhibitions affiliated with institutions such as the National Maritime Museum, and research from organizations including the International Ice Patrol.
Ongoing archaeological work and policy discussions about wreck protection continue to refine public understanding while preserving the site as a place of remembrance and scholarship.
As a benchmark case in safety and design, information on the Titanic remains relevant to engineering, ethics, and historical study, offering lessons that extend well beyond maritime history.
Note: This article is intended as an evergreen explainer focused on factual, widely documented information about the Titanic. Dates, figures, and regulatory context reflect the period and are presented for long-term educational reference.