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RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner that
became infamous for its collision with an iceberg, and
for its dramatic sinking on April 14, 1912. The second
of a trio of superliners, she and her sisters, RMS
Olympic and HMHS Britannic, were designed to provide a
three-ship weekly express service and dominate
the transatlantic travel business for the White
Star Line.
Built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast,
Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world
at the time of her sinking. During Titanic's maiden
voyage (from Southampton, England; to Cherbourg, France;
Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland; then New York), she struck
an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. (ship's time) on Sunday evening
April 14, 1912, and sank two hours and forty minutes
later, while breaking into two pieces at the aft
expansion joint, 2:20 a.m. Monday morning April 15.
The RMS Titanic was a White Star Line ocean liner built
at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast and was
designed to compete with rival company Cunard Line's
Lusitania and Mauretania, luxurious ships and the
fastest liners on the Atlantic.
The Titanic was 882 feet 9 inches (269 m) long and 92
feet 6 inches (28 m) at her beam (6 inches longer than
twin ship RMS Olympic). She had a Gross Register Tonnage
of 46,328 tons, and a height from the water line to the
boat deck of 60 feet (18 m). She contained two
reciprocating four-cylinder, triple-expansion, inverted
steam engines and one low-pressure Parsons turbine.
These powered three propellers. There were 25
double-ended and 4 single-ended Scotch-type boilers
fired by 159 coal burning furnaces that made possible a
top speed of 23 knots (43 km/h). Only three of the four
63 foot (19 m) tall funnels were functional; the fourth,
which served only as a vent, was added to make the ship
look more impressive. Titanic could carry a total of
3,547 passengers and crew and, because she carried mail,
her name was given the prefix RMS (Royal Mail Steamer)
as well as SS (Steam Ship).
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Hom 1907
White Star managing director J. Bruce Ismay
adopts "The 400 Plan", which calls for the
construction of three massive liners. The
focus of these liners would be size and
luxury over speed.
Mid-1908
Construction is completed on the gantries
that will house the Olympic and Titanic
during the pre-launch phases of
construction.
March 1st, 1909
The first of Titanic's keel plates is laid
in Slip No. 3.
May 31st, 1911
The hull of Titanic is launched. She's towed
to the dry-dock facility and her fitting out
is begun. Later that day, the completed RMS
Olympic is delivered to the White Star Line.
June 14th, 1911
The Olympic departs Southampton bound for
New York. It is her maiden voyage.
January 1912
Titanic's interiors are completed.
February 3rd
Titanic is towed to the graving yard, where
the final touches are added. She is painted,
and her three propellers are installed.
Tuesday, April 2nd
Titanic departs Belfast, for her sea trials.
After roughly 30 minutes [according to Fifth
Officer Lowe's testimony], her trials are
deemed to be finished. From there, she heads
for Southampton to be made ready for her
maiden voyage.
Friday, April 5, 1912
It is Good Friday and the Titanic, the pride
of the White Star Line, is "dressed" overall
with flags and pennants for a salute to the
people of Southampton. It is the only
occasion she is ever "dressed". The Titanic
had arrived in the port of Southampton just
after midnight to begin provisioning and
staffing for her maiden voyage.
Saturday, April 6, 1912
Recruitment day for the majority of the
crew. General cargo begins to arrive. The
final cargo totals almost 560 tons and
includes 11,524 individual pieces.
Easter Sunday, April 7, 1912
The Titanic remains tied up at Berth 44. The
waterfront was deserted on this Easter
Sunday and all work aboard the Titanic had
ceased for the day.
Monday, April 8, 1912
The Titanic still remains tied up at
Southampton's Berth 44, getting ready for
her scheduled maiden voyage on Wednesday.
Monday saw resumption of the activity but at
a more frantic pace what with fewer than
three days before departure.
Tuesday, April 9, 1912
This will be Titanic's final full day in
Southampton...tomorrow she begins her maiden
voyage. Food and stores continue to be taken
on board. All of the officers, except Smith,
spend the night on board, keeping regular
watches and supervising the final night in
port.
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The Propellers
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