In 1907, J. Bruce Ismay (President of the White Star Line) and Lord Pirrie (Chairman of Harland & Wolff shipbuilders) dreamed up the idea to build luxurious ocean liners as a way for the White Star Line to compete in the transatlantic passenger market. A total of three ships were planned: The Olympic, Titanic and Gigantic. The next year was spent doing extensive design work.
On July 30, 1908, authorization was given to build the Titanic and her sister ship the Olympic. In 1911, the order was placed for the third ship Gigantic. When this ship was completed, it was ultimately named the Britannic. Many believe that the name was changed because Gigantic sounded too similar to Titanic.
The keel for the Titanic was laid on March 31, 1909.
The Titanic was launched on May 31, 1911 at 12:15 pm.
The Titanic left Belfast, Ireland and headed for Southampton, England on April 2, 1912.
Titanic arrives in Southhampton on April 3, 1912.
The Titanic left Southampton on its maiden voyage on Wednesday, April 10, 1912 at 12:00 Noon.
The Titanic struck an iceberg on Sunday, April 14, 1912 at 11:40 pm.
The Titanic sank on Monday, April 15, 1912 at 2:20 am.
The wreck of the Titanic was found on September 1, 1985.
COMPARISON OF THE TITANIC TO THE VOYAGER OF THE SEAS
Titanic
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Voyager of the Seas*
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OTHER TITANIC SPECIFICATIONS;
Draught: 34 feet.
Displacement: 66,000 tons of water.
The Titanic had 4 funnels (smokestacks). Each was 62 feet tall and had a diameter of 22 feet.
The distance from keel to top of funnels was 175 feet.
The rudder was 78 feet high, weighed about 101 tons and was cast in 6 separate pieces.
Titanic's 3 anchors had a combined weight of 31 tons.
More than 3 million rivets were used to build the Titanic.
"Triple screw" - 3 propellers. The 2 outer propellers had a diameter of 23 feet and the center propeller had a diameter of 17 feet.
Engines: Two four-cylinder steam reciprocating engines and one low pressure turbine engine. The turbine, which drove the center propeller, utilized the exhaust steam from the other engines. This design recycled the exhausted steam instead of wastefully venting it up the funnels. The result: an increase in efficiency.
The total horsepower of the engines was 51,000.
29 boilers - 24 double ended and 5 single ended.
159 furnaces.
16 watertight compartments.
15 transverse watertight bulkheads.
Equipped with 20 lifeboats (total capacity 1,178).
BUILDING;
- Harland and Wolff, located in Belfast, Ireland, built the Titanic.
- It took approximately three years to build.
- 14,000 workers were used to construct it.
- The Titanic cost $7.5 million to build (in 1912). Interestingly, the movie "Titanic" (made in 1997) cost more than $200 million to produce!
- Building the Titanic today (1997) would cost $400 million.
THE TITANIC WAS;
- The Largest ship in the world (in 1912).
- The biggest movable man-made object ever made (at that time).
- One of the first ships to have a swimming pool.
- Publicized as the world's largest, safest, most luxurious five-star floating hotel.
OFFICERS OF THE TITANIC;
- Captain - Edward J Smith (did not survive)
- Chief Officer - Henry F Wilde (did not survive)
- First Officer - William M Murdoch (did not survive)
- Second Officer - Charles Herbert Lightoller (survived)
- Third Officer - Herbert John Pitman (survived)
- Fourth Officer - Joseph Groves Boxhall (survived)
- Fith Officer - Harold Godfrey Lowe (survived)
- Sixth Officer - James P Moody (did not survive)
- Chief Purser - Herbert McElroy (did not survive)
OTHERS OF SIGNIFICANCE;
Lookout- Frederick Fleet (survived)
He was the first to spot the iceberg. Fleet was in the last half hour of his watch from the crows nest when he saw a massive iceberg no more than 500 yards away. Fleet phoned the bridge and shouted, "Iceberg right ahead!". Fleet was saved in lifeboat #6. He worked at sea until 1936. In his later years, Fleet sold newspapers and spent most nights alone drinking beer. He died in 1965 after taking his own life.
Managing Director of Harland & Wolff- Thomas Andrews
Since Andrews helped design Titanic, he undoubtedly knew the most about the Titanic and her construction. He was on the Titanic to observe Titanic's performance and note anything for future design improvements. He assessed the iceberg damage and calculated that the Titanic would probably sink in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Andrews went down with the ship.
Managing Director of White Star Lines- J Bruce Ismay (survived)
- Although not part of the crew, he may have played a significant role in the Titanic disaster. It is believed that Ismay may have influenced Captain Smith to ignore the ice warnings and steam ahead at full speed. Many are convinced that if Ismay had not been aboard, Captain Smith would have been more cautious and taken the ice warnings more seriously.
- Ismay left the Titanic on collapsible boat C and has been extensively criticized for this. The general feeling was that he should have gone down with the ship. He stated that he only boarded the lifeboat because there were no other passengers waiting to get on board. However, witnesses have reported seeing Ismay push and shove others out of the way to get on that lifeboat. The truth will never be known. Ismay resigned his position in 1912 shortly after the Titanic incident, but remained an executive with IMM (International Mercantile Marine Co -- the owners of the White Star Line) until 1916. He died from a stroke at age 74 in October, 1937.
And the band played on...
- An eight-man band led by violinist Wallace Hartley, demonstrated extreme courage by entertaining passengers as Titanic sank. Their music most likely averted panic and made the passengers feel that things were not as bad as they appeared. After all, how bad could things be if the band was still playing? Some witnesses stated that the band played until Titanic slipped beneath the waves. Although it has been argued that the steep incline of the deck would have prevented the band from playing until the bitter end, it is clear that they played until it was no longer possible.
- None of the eight musicians were employed by the White Star Line. They all worked for Messers C.W. and F.N. Black of Liverpool, England and were ticketed on Titanic as second class passengers.
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- All eight musicians lost their lives.
- According to some survivors, the band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee" as Titanic sank. Others, including wireless operator Harold Bride, claim that the last piece played by the band was a hymn called "Autumn". Other possibilities include, "Songe d’Automne" and "Londonderry Air". The debate continues.
- "Nearer, My God, to Thee" may be the most likely candidate as this song was one of Wallace Hartley's favorites.
- The actual tune played is not really important. The important thing is that 8 brave men gave up the chance to save themselves in order to pay musical tribute to the doomed Titanic and those still aboard. Although their music died, their memory never will.
TITANIC SURVIVOR ELLEN BIRD
Born in 1881 at Old Buckenham, Norfolk, and the daughter of Samuel Bird and his wife Maryann, Titanic survivor Ellen Bird was one of 11 children. The family lived at Stackford Old Buckenham Norfolk. Bird was living in London when she was employed as a maid by Mrs. Isidor Strauss just before their return to New York. The Strauses had been in Europe since January 1912 and were trying to find a new French maid to bring back.
They had no success but did hire an English maid prior to sailing back home. The girl let at the last minute and Ellen Bird was hired. In a letter from Ida to her children, she expresses her wish that Ellen worked out. Ellen boarded the Titanic and occupied Cabin C-97.
After the Titanic hit the iceberg, Mrs. Straus debated upon whether or not to enter a lifeboat. She handed Ellen some of her jewelry, but then decided to take it back. Ida also gave Ellen her fur coat saying that she would not be needing it. Even after being rescued, Ellen tried to give the fur coat back to the family, specifically to the Straus’ oldest daughter Sara. Straus told Ellen to keep it telling her that Ida had given it to her.
Encouraged by her employers, Bird boarded lifeboat 8 and was saved. Mrs. Straus stayed back to stay with her husband, and both went down with the Titanic.
After the Titanic, Ellen went to work for the family of Frederic Spedden of Tuxedo Park, New York. The Speddens were also on the Titanic and traveled to Europe in January of 1912 on the same ship as Isidor and Ida Straus. Ms. Bird stayed with the family until her marriage to Edward Beattie. Sources claim that he was a hotel worker, but this is also known as a yacht captain. She lived the rest of her life in Rhode Island.
Ellen Bird died in Newport, Rhode Island on September 11th, 1949 and is burid at Acushnet Cemetery in Massachusetts. One of the most famous Titanic survivors, Ellen Bird was the maid from one of the wealthiest and well known families of the era.
TITANIC SURVIVOR EDWARD BEANE
Born on November 19th in England in 1879, Edward Beane was the son of George Beane and Mary A. Cox. He moved to New York where he worked as a bricklayer and he had returned to his home town of Norwichto get married to Ethel Clarke. The ceremony took place before theTitanic would leave, and the two planned to go back to New York as a married couple. The newlyweds purchased ticket 2908 and paid £26.
The second class passengers both survived the sinking of the Titanic and were one of the only honeymooners that were not parted by the women and children firstrule. Both boarded lifeboat 13 and arrived safely in New York aboard the Carpathia. He and his wife vowed never to speak publically about the experience.
The amazing story of this Titanic story is relevant because it represents a small percentage ofTitanic survivors who were not separated by the disaster. Both he and his wife survived despite the women and children first rule. The fact that they were both second classpassengers undoubtedly helped this to happen.
Edward Beane is buried in White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, Monroe County, New York. The grave is at the Northwest edge of section M on lot 367-368 facing Marsh Road.
TITANIC SURVIVOR ERNEST FREDERICK ALLEN,CREW MEMBER.....
My name is Deidre (Dee) MacQueen and I live in Dorset, England. By chance I came acrossTitanic Universe, and the webmaster has invited me to share my story.
I am very grateful that I have been given the chance to share my story, thank you very much.My Grandfather was Ernest Frederick Allen, born inLondon on 10th March 1888. Depending on what article you read it could have been 10th February 1888. He lived in Southampton and was 24 yrs old when, on the 6th April 1912, he signed on with the Titanic, along with his brother (my Uncle) Frederick Allen, he was 17 yrs old. Frederick was employed as a lift steward. Sadly he went down with the Titanic. My Great Grandmother received £20 grant for the death of her son, from the Titanic relief fund, number 279. Ernest also served onthe Titanic’s sister ship the Olympic. Ernest was employed on the Titanic as a Trimmer. His job was to ensure the coal he gave to the stokers came from the correct place, making sure the balance of the ship was maintained. His pay was £5.10 shillings a month. As we all know 6 days later the Titanic was hit by an iceberg. Ernest managed to get on collapsible boat B, which was upside down. They were rescued by boats 4 and 12, crew were taken on board by both boats, but no names were taken. They were then picked up by the Carpathia, where they disembarked in New York on 18th April 1912. Ernest returned and spent most of his life in Southampton. Grandfather Ernest died on 27th December 1968, he was 80 years old.
Kind regards,
Dee
TITANIC SURVIVOR VIOLET JESSOP
One of the most amazing stories of any Titanic survivors, Violet Constance Jessop was an ocean liner stewardess and a nurse who survived the sinking of both the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic in 1912 and 1916. Even more amazingly, she had been aboard the Britannic’s other sister ship the RMS Olympic when it nearly sank after colliding with the naval vessel the HMS Hawke in 1911.
Born to William and Katherine Jessop, Irish emigrants living near Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Violet was the first of nine children, six of whom survived. Violet herself almost died after contracting tuberculosis at an early age and survived despite doctor’s predictions. After her father died, Violet and her family moved to Great Britain where she attended covenant school.
Aboard the RMS Titanic, she worked as a stewardess on April 10, 1912 and four days later on April 14. When the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink late in the night and Violet described that she was ordered on deck where she watched as the crew loaded the lifeboats. She recalls all of the events of the sinking of the Titanic in her memoirs. After watching people being loaded into the lifeboats, she was ordered into lifeboat 16 and as the boat was being lowered, she was given a baby to look after. According to Jessop, while she was aboard the Carpathia, a woman grabbed the baby she was holding and ran off without saying a word.
During WWI, Violet served as a nurse for the British Red Cross. In 1916 she was on board His Majesty’s Hospital Ship Britannic when the ship struck a mine and sank in the Aegean Sea. While the ship was sinking she jumped out of a lifeboat in order to avoid being sucked into the Britannic’s propellers. She was sucked underwater and struck her head on the ship’s keel before being rescued by another lifeboat. According to Violet, she made sure to grab her toothbrush before leaving her cabin on the Britannic and saying that it was the one thing she missed most immediately after following the sinking of the Titanic.
After the war, Violet continued to work for the White Star Line before oining the Red Star Line, and then the Royal Mail Line. During her tenure with Red Star, Violet went around two round the world cruises on the company’s largest ship, the Belgenland. In her late 30’s she had a brief marriage and in 1950 she retired to Great Ashfield, Suffolk. Years after her retirement, she got a telephone call from a woman claiming to be the baby she saved from the sinking Titanic. Apparently, the voice on the other end simply asked if she had saved a baby on the night of the Titanic sinking. Violet replied “Yes”, the voice then said “Well, I was that baby”, laughed, and hung up. Her friend and biographer John Maxtertone-Graham said that it was most likely some children playing a prank on her, but she told him that she hadn’t told anyone about the event before telling him. The baby she saved was never positively identified.
Violet Jessop died of congestive heart failure in 1971.
THE STORY OF RUTH BECKER:TITANIC SURVIVOR.
Ruth Elizabeth Becker, known later as Ruth Becker Blanchard, was one of the youngest passengers on the Titanic at 12 years old, and until relatively recently was one of the few remaining Titanic survivors. Her story is harrowing, but it’s inspirational that someone so young was able to exhibit such bravery, even in the face of a horrific disaster that few of us can truly picture in our minds.
The daughter of a Lutheran missionary, Ruth was born in Guntur, India in 1899. When herbrother took ill, her mother Nellie decided to take him and the rest of the family to Benton Harbor, Michigan for medical treatment. Ruth, her mother, and her younger brother and sister boarded the RMS Titanic as second-class passengers, with her father waiting behind in India to rejoin them later.
Ruth and her family marveled at the beauty and grandeur of the ship, but their trip took a nasty turn when disaster struck. More specifically, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began sinking rapidly.
Ruth’s mother managed to get into Lifeboat No. 11 with her two youngest children, but there was no room left for Ruth. Nellie sobbed as she was separated from her daughter, who ended up in Lifeboat No. 13.
As Ruth’s lifeboat was lowered into the water, it was very nearly crushed by Lifeboat No. 15, which was being lowered too quickly. A crew member managed to cut the ropes binding No. 13 to the ship at the last minute, and the boat slid away in the nick of time.
As Ruth’s lifeboat was lowered into the water, it was very nearly crushed by Lifeboat No. 15, which was being lowered too quickly. A crew member managed to cut the ropes binding No. 13 to the ship at the last minute, and the boat slid away in the nick of time.
The air was filled with the chilling sound of screams from those stranded in the icy water. A young Polish woman in Ruth’s lifeboat lamented her missing baby, who had been separated from her much like Ruth had been separated from her family. Though she didn’t understand German, Ruth did her best to comfort the upset mother.
Finally, the lifeboat was rescued by the Carpathia. After several tense hours of waiting and dreading the worst, Ruth was overjoyed to see her mother and siblings alive and well. She was also happy to discover that the Polish woman from her lifeboat had been reunited with her baby.
Ruth refused to talk about the traumatic Titanic sinking incident for many years. Later, she began to talk more about it, and made appearances at Titanic Historical Society conventions along with other Titanic survivors.
In 1990, Ruth Becker Blanchard took a cruise to Mexico, her first time as a passenger on a ship since the Titanic disaster. She died later that year at the age of 90, and her ashes were scattered at sea, directly over the Titanic wreck.
TITANIC MOVIE CAST(1997)
The James Cameron blockbuster Titanic was the highest grossing film of its time (and is now in second place behind Avatar) and its depiction of the sinking ship has made the film a Hollywood classic. Contained within this film is a rich cast full of talent which supplied memorable performances. Here is a little bit about the cast and crew that helped propel the Titanic film into the limelight.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jack Dawson
DiCaprio is the focal point of the film, a poor immigrant who wins two tickets to travel on the unsinkable Titanic during a game of poker. While aboard the Titanic, he meets Rose Dewitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), who at one point he saves from jumping from the ship. As Jack begins showing the buttoned-up Rose how to have fun and embrace life, they begin to forge a relationship which is forbidden due to Jack’s low social status. A talented artist, Rose allows Jack to sketch her wearing only the Heart of the Ocean, a magnificent necklace given to her by her fiancé (Hockley). When Hockley finds out about their relationship he imprisons Jack in the Master-at-Arms quarters. Once the ship strikes the iceberg it becomes a race against time for Rose and Jack as they must find a way to escape the doomed vessel.
Kate Winslet plays Rose Dewitt Bukater
Rose Dewitt Bukater is 17 during her voyage on the Titanic. She boards with her fiancé Caledon Hockley (Billy Zane) and her mother Ruth (Frances Fisher). Although a wealthy young woman, she struggles with being forced into an arranged marriage by her overly controlling mother. In an act of desperation, she tries to commit suicide by throwing herself overboard, but is saved by Jack Dawson. After getting to know Jack, she learns that he is a talented artist and allows him to draw her wearing nothing but the Heart of the Ocean, an extravagant necklace given to her by Hockley. When the Titanic begins sinking, Rose and Dawson must attempt escaping the ship while evading Hockley and his manservant Spicer Lovejoy (David Warner).
Billy Zane plays Caledon “Cal” Hockley
The wealthy fiancé of Rose Dewitt Bukater, Hockley is the quintessential businessman and certified jerk. Playing the main antagonist of the film, Hockley, after learning about the relationship between Jack and Rose, becomes obsessed with imprisoning them aboard the doomed vessel. With the help of his servant Spicer Lovejoy, Hockley numerous times imperils the young pair of Bukater and Dawson and even resorts to firearms at one point. Master manipulator and deceiver, Hockley, after attempting to kill Jack and Rose, boards a lifeboat with a stranger’s child.
Kathy Bates plays Molly Brown
Molly Brown was one of the actual passengers aboard the Titanicwho was also depicted in the film. Although she plays a relatively minor part in the Titanic movie, the real Margaret Brown was a socialite that was responsible for convincing one of the lifeboatsto return to the site of the wreck to search for survivors. Because of this act of heroism, Margaret was given the nickname the ‘unsinkable Molly Brown’. Check out our post on Molly Brown to learn more about her fascinating story.
Frances Fisher plays Ruth Dewitt Bukater
The mother of Rose Dewitt Bukater, she is responsible for the engagement between Rose and Cal Hockley. She believes she knows what is best for her daughter and that her marriage to Hockley will alleviate her secret financial problems. Her husband’s death left the family in debt and she strives to maintain her high societal status. Even though Jack loves Rose and even saved her daughter’s life, she scorns him due to his low class status.
Gloria Stuart plays Old Rose (Rose Dawson Calvert)
In order to present a historic narrative, Cameron added a character who survived the wreck of the Titanic. Gloria Stuart plays the part of Rose Dewitt Bukater, depicted many years afterthe Titanic disaster. She gives information to Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) on the Heart of the Ocean after he discovers the drawing of her wearing the necklace. The movie is Rose’s recollection of the events during the sinking of the Titanic.
Brock Lovett plays Bill Paxton
A fictional treasure hunter in search of the Heart of the Ocean, he finds himself quickly running out of money for his expedition. When he finds the drawing of Rose Dewitt Bukater in an old safe, he finds Rose Dawson Calvert and hears her accounts of the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
Bernard Hill plays Captain Edward J. Smith
Named after the real captain of the Titanic, Captain Edward Smith plays a minor role in the plot of the film but is still depicted as a heroic ship captain (a reputation that extends to the real history of the Titanic). In the film he dies clinging to the ship’s wheel as water bursts through the bridge windows. There is a debate as to whether he died this way or whether he froze to death. He was last seen near the overturned collapsible lifeboat B.
David Warner plays Spicer Lovejoy
Servant to Caledon Hockley, Lovejoy is one of the primary antagonists of the film. Often used as a spy for Hockley, this ex-constable plays bodyguard as well as servant to Hockley and has harbors real distrust and dislike toward Jack Dawson. This fictional character is responsible for carrying out a large portion of Cal’s dirty work including attempting to murder Jack Dawson.
Victor Garber plays Thomas Andrews
Named after the actual builder and designer of the Titanic, Andrews is portrayed as a modest and pleasant personality. After the collision, he convinces passengers that the ship sinking is a ‘mathematical certainty’. In the film he is last seen standing next to a clock lamenting his inability to design a safer vessel. The real Andrews died during the sinking of the ship and accounts highlight that he helped others to safety, putting their lives even above his own.
Jonathan Hyde plays Bruce Ismay
A historic first class passenger aboard the Titanic, the movie casts him as a rich and ignorant man who convinces captain Edward Smith to speed up the clip of the vessel in order for an early arrival. Some historical perspectives believe that the speed of the actual Titanic played a part in its sinking, but there is not enough physical evidence to tell. Ismay is last seen sneaking onto a lifeboat ignoring the ‘women and children first’ standard of evacuation.
TITANIC PICTURES
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