The Titanic was a British passenger liner that famously sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City on April 15, 1912. Here are some detailed points about the ship and the incident:
- Construction and Design: The Titanic was constructed by the shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland. It was the second of three Olympic-class ocean liners operated by the White Star Line. The design emphasized luxury and size, with the intent to compete with the Cunard Line's Mauretania and Lusitania.
- Dimensions: The Titanic was 882 feet 9 inches (269.06 m) long, 92 feet 6 inches (28.19 m) wide, and had a tonnage of 46,328 gross register tons. It was the largest ship afloat at the time.
- Luxury Amenities: The ship boasted state-of-the-art amenities for its time, including a heated swimming pool, gymnasium, libraries, high-class restaurants, and an elegant Grand Staircase.
- Passengers: On its maiden voyage, Titanic carried 2,224 people, including passengers and crew. The passengers were divided into three classes, with the first-class passengers enjoying opulent accommodations.
- The Sinking:
- The Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912, causing five of its sixteen watertight compartments to flood. Despite being designed to stay afloat with up to four compartments flooded, the ship's design flaws and the height of the watertight bulkheads allowed water to spill over from one compartment to another.
- The ship's radio operators sent out distress signals, but the nearest ship, Carpathia, was too far away to arrive in time to save all passengers.
- Due to a lack of lifeboats, many passengers and crew perished in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Only 706 of the 2,224 people on board survived.
- Aftermath:
- The sinking led to significant changes in maritime law, including the requirement for sufficient lifeboats for all passengers and crew aboard ships.
- It also led to the establishment of the International Ice Patrol to monitor and report on ice hazards in the North Atlantic.
- The disaster has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, with the most notable being the 1997 film "Titanic" directed by James Cameron.
- Discovery of the Wreck: The wreck of the Titanic was discovered in 1985 by a team led by Robert Ballard, about 400 miles (640 km) from Newfoundland at a depth of 12,500 feet (3,800 m).
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