Photo: Topical Press Agency/Getty
It’s been more than 110 years since the RMS Titanic — touted as unsinkable — hit an iceberg and sunk into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Much has been said about the storied ship since its untimely demise, with the 1997 filmTitanicstill one of the top-grossing films of all time, and the recent attention on Titanic tourism followingthe tragic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible.Here, learn more about the ship’s creation and ill-fated voyage.
It’s been more than 110 years since the RMS Titanic — touted as unsinkable — hit an iceberg and sunk into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Much has been said about the storied ship since its untimely demise, with the 1997 filmTitanicstill one of the top-grossing films of all time, and the recent attention on Titanic tourism followingthe tragic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible.
Here, learn more about the ship’s creation and ill-fated voyage.
01of 15The RMS TitanicSSPL/GettyThe RMS Titanic famously sank off the coast of Newfoundland in the early hours of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City. The luxury passenger ship, touted as unsinkable, was famous from its inception, known as the largest and one of the most lavish of its kind at the time. More than 1,500 of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board lost their lives in the tragedy, which was the basis of the 1997 filmTitanic.
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The RMS Titanic
SSPL/Getty
The RMS Titanic famously sank off the coast of Newfoundland in the early hours of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City. The luxury passenger ship, touted as unsinkable, was famous from its inception, known as the largest and one of the most lavish of its kind at the time. More than 1,500 of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board lost their lives in the tragedy, which was the basis of the 1997 filmTitanic.
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The Titanic Is Built
Ralph White/Corbis via Getty
03of 15The Titanic’s First Trial RunTopical Press Agency/GettyIn May 1911, the ship made its first trial run in Belfast’s River Lagan, with more than 100,000 people looking on. The launch went smoothly and took just more than one minute, according toHistory.com. The next year was spent constructing the decks, interiors and boiler rooms.
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The Titanic’s First Trial Run
Topical Press Agency/Getty
In May 1911, the ship made its first trial run in Belfast’s River Lagan, with more than 100,000 people looking on. The launch went smoothly and took just more than one minute, according toHistory.com. The next year was spent constructing the decks, interiors and boiler rooms.
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The Aftermath of the Titanic’s Demise
05of 15On Board the TitanicUniversal Images Group/GettyAdjacent to the ship’s first class restaurant was the popular Café Parisien, a feature that provided the option for a sort of al fresco dining — the windows could be opened — with a view over the Atlantic.
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On Board the Titanic
Universal Images Group/Getty
Adjacent to the ship’s first class restaurant was the popular Café Parisien, a feature that provided the option for a sort of al fresco dining — the windows could be opened — with a view over the Atlantic.
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The Titanic’s First Class Lounge
The first class lounge, outfitted with ornate furniture, was a gathering place for the ship’s numerous wealthy passengers. Many prominent families of the day were aboard the ship, and many were among those who perished: millionaire John Jacob Astor, the richest passenger on board, died, as did Benjamin Guggenheim, of the famous mining magnate family, along with Isidor Strauss, the co-owner of Macy’s, and his wife Ida.
07of 15The Titanic’s DownfallsUniversal History Archive/GettyThe Titanic was woefully under-equipped with lifeboats, carrying just 16 of them, plus four Engelhardt “collapsibles.” In total, they could accommodate a mere 1,178 people — just one-third of the ship’s 3,300-person capacity.At the time, however, the ship’s lifeboat supply not only met but exceeded the British Board of Trade’s requirements, according toHistory.com.
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The Titanic’s Downfalls
Universal History Archive/Getty
The Titanic was woefully under-equipped with lifeboats, carrying just 16 of them, plus four Engelhardt “collapsibles.” In total, they could accommodate a mere 1,178 people — just one-third of the ship’s 3,300-person capacity.
At the time, however, the ship’s lifeboat supply not only met but exceeded the British Board of Trade’s requirements, according toHistory.com.
08of 15The Iceberg that Took the Titanic DownGettyTitanic began receiving reports of ice on April 14, but at the time the seas were calm and clear. By 11:30 p.m., a lookout spotted the iceberg (pictured here) that would soon prove to be deadly. While the crew was able to slow down and avoid a head-on collision, the ship ultimately sideswiped the iceberg, causing the fatal 300-foot tear in the hull.
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The Iceberg that Took the Titanic Down
Getty
Titanic began receiving reports of ice on April 14, but at the time the seas were calm and clear. By 11:30 p.m., a lookout spotted the iceberg (pictured here) that would soon prove to be deadly. While the crew was able to slow down and avoid a head-on collision, the ship ultimately sideswiped the iceberg, causing the fatal 300-foot tear in the hull.
09of 15The Titanic Leaves PortTitanic.Ralph White/CORBIS/Corbis via GettyThe ship set sail from Southampton, England, for New York City on April 10, 1912, first making stops in Cherbourg, France, and Cobh, Ireland.
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The Titanic Leaves Port
Titanic.Ralph White/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
The ship set sail from Southampton, England, for New York City on April 10, 1912, first making stops in Cherbourg, France, and Cobh, Ireland.
10of 15The Titanic’s CaptainRalph White/Corbis via GettyChief Purser Walter McElroy, who oversaw the handling of money and passenger comfort onboard, and Captain Edward J. Smith, are seen in uniform aboard the Titanic during the ship’s initial voyage to Cobh, Ireland.
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The Titanic’s Captain
Chief Purser Walter McElroy, who oversaw the handling of money and passenger comfort onboard, and Captain Edward J. Smith, are seen in uniform aboard the Titanic during the ship’s initial voyage to Cobh, Ireland.
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The Titanic’s Rescue Efforts
12of 15The Titanic’s First Class StaircaseRalph White/Corbis via GettyThe aft first class staircase allowed passengers to make a grand entrance; a replica was prominently featured in the 1997 filmTitanic.
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The Titanic’s First Class Staircase
The aft first class staircase allowed passengers to make a grand entrance; a replica was prominently featured in the 1997 filmTitanic.
13of 15The Titanic’s Dining RoomGeorge Rinhart/Corbis via GettyIn addition to the first class à la carte restaurant and Café Parisien, passengers could also eat in the main dining room.
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The Titanic’s Dining Room
George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty
In addition to the first class à la carte restaurant and Café Parisien, passengers could also eat in the main dining room.
14of 15The Titanic’s PropellersHistorica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/GettyHere, a group of the men working on the ship posed beneath one of its propellers in May 1911.
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The Titanic’s Propellers
Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty
Here, a group of the men working on the ship posed beneath one of its propellers in May 1911.
15of 15Family Members of Titanic TravelersHulton Archive/GettyOnly 706 of the 2,240 passengers survived the maritime disaster. Pictured are survivors' families anxiously awaiting the arrival of their loved ones upon their safe return to Southampton.
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Family Members of Titanic Travelers
Hulton Archive/Getty
Only 706 of the 2,240 passengers survived the maritime disaster. Pictured are survivors' families anxiously awaiting the arrival of their loved ones upon their safe return to Southampton.
source: people.com
