The RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner operated by the White Star Line. It is famously known for sinking on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912, in the North Atlantic Ocean. This disaster resulted in the loss of over 1,500 lives, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.
Key Facts About the Titanic:
1. Construction and Features:
• Built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland.
• At the time, it was the largest and most luxurious passenger ship ever built, measuring 882 feet (269 meters) in length.
• It was equipped with advanced technology, including watertight compartments, which led it to be called “unsinkable.”
2. Maiden Voyage:
• Departed from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912.
• Planned route: Southampton → Cherbourg (France) → Queenstown (now Cobh, Ireland) → New York City.
• Carried over 2,200 passengers and crew, including some of the wealthiest people in the world as well as emigrants seeking a new life in the U.S.
3. The Disaster:
• Struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912.
• Sank in just over two and a half hours, with the ship breaking in two.
• Lack of lifeboats for all passengers and inadequate safety procedures contributed to the high loss of life.
4. Legacy:
• The wreck was discovered in 1985 at a depth of about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters).
• The Titanic story has inspired numerous books, films, and documentaries, including the famous 1997 movie Titanic directed by James Cameron.
• Artifacts recovered from the wreck are displayed in exhibitions worldwide.
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