Titanic

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construction of the ships Olympic and Titanic

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Newspaper boy Ned Parfett sells copies of the Evening News telling of the Titanic maritime disaster, outside Oceanic House, the London offices of the Titanic's owner, the White Star Line, in Cockspur Street, London, April 16, 1912.

Understanding the Titanic Disaster

Titanic summary

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Comprehension Quiz: Titanic

Titanic

Q: Why did the Titanic sink?

The immediate cause of RMS Titanic ’s demise was a collision with an iceberg that caused the ocean liner to sink on April 14–15, 1912. While the ship could reportedly stay afloat if as many as 4 of its 16 compartments were breached, the impact had affected at least 5 compartments. It was originally believed that the iceberg had caused a long gash in the hull. After examining the wreck, however, scientists discovered that the collision had produced a series of thin gashes as well as brittle fracturing and separation of seams in the adjacent hull plates, thus allowing water to flood into the Titanic . Later examination of retrieved ship parts—as well as paperwork in the builder’s archives—led to speculation that low-quality steel or weak rivets may have contributed to the sinking.

Q: How many people died when the Titanic sank?

The exact number of people killed is unknown. Original passenger and crew lists were rendered inaccurate by such factors as misspellings, omissions, aliases, and failure to count musicians and other contracted employees as either passengers or crew members. However, it is generally believed that of the ship’s approximately 2,200 passengers and crew members, some 1,500 people perished when the ship sank. According to the U.S. committee investigating the sinking, 1,517 lives were lost, and its British counterpart determined that 1,503 died. The crew suffered the most casualties, with about 700 fatalities. Third class also suffered greatly, as only 174 of its approximately 710 passengers survived.

Q: Where is the wreck of the Titanic ?

The wreck of the Titanic —which was discovered on September 1, 1985—is located at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean , some 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) underwater. It is approximately 400 nautical miles (740 km) from Newfoundland, Canada. The ship is in two main pieces, the bow and the stern. The exact location of the ship’s bow—which is the largest and most intact portion—is 41°43′57′′ N 49°56′49′′ W.

Q: Why is the Titanic famous?

From the outset, the Titanic captured the public’s imagination. At the time, it was one of the largest and most opulent ships in the world. It was also considered unsinkable, due to a series of compartment doors that could be closed if the bow was breached. However, four days into its maiden voyage in 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg, and less than three hours later it sank. The drama of the eyewitness accounts and the great loss of life helped make it one of the most well-known tragedies in modern history. After the 1985 discovery of its wreckage, interest in the Titanic only increased, and its enduring appeal was evident with the huge success of James Cameron ’s 1997 film about the doomed ocean liner.

ship

Also known as: “Millionaire’s Special”, “RMS Titanic”, “Royal Mail Ship Titanic”

Written by Amy Tikkanen

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 • Article History

Category: History & Society

In full:: Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic

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Why did the Titanic sink?

How many people died when the Titanic sank?

Where is the wreck of the Titanic?

Why is the Titanic famous?

Titanic, British luxury passenger liner that sank on April 14–15, 1912, during its maiden voyage, en route to New York City from Southampton, England, killing about 1,500 (see Researcher’s Note: Titanic) passengers and ship personnel. One of the most famous tragedies in modern history, it inspired numerous stories, several films, and a musical and has been the subject of much scholarship and scientific speculation. In the early 1900s the transatlantic passenger trade was highly profitable and competitive, with ship lines vying to transport wealthy travelers and immigrants. Two of the chief lines were White Star and Cunard. By the summer ...(100 of 3337 words)

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