RMS Titanic passenger and crew biography, Titanic history, research and discussions

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RMS Titanic

The Titanic was a British registered four funnelled ocean liner built for the transatlantic passenger and mail service between Southampton and New York.

Constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland she was, at the time of her maiden voyage, the largest vessel afloat.

On April 10th 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton with 2,200 passengers and crew, four days later the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. 1500 people died and 700 survived. This website attempts to tell their story and that of the great ship with which their fate would be inextricably linked.

It is since Titanic was lost.

Where do I go from here?

Passenger List | Crew List | Survivors | Victims | Articles
Basic Statistics | On this Day | Timeline | Sitemap | A-Z

People

The Titanic carried 2207 people. People all ages, people of great wealth and of bitter poverty. Unsuspecting witnesses to an event they could never have envisaged

If you could walk the decks of the Titanic you would hear a dozen or more languages being spoken with every imaginable dialect. Not surprisingly the Titanic is often described as a microcosm of society.

The route to understanding the Titanic story is to learn about and understand the people that built her, the people that sailed on her, those that died and those that survived when she met her end.

Passenger List : Crew List | Survivors | Victims

History

According to legend the Titanic was conceived at a meeting between Lord Pirrie of Harland & Wolff and Bruce Ismay, Chairman of the White Star Line.

The vessels would forsake speed for increased safety and comfort. While millionaire passengers would grab headlines, vastly increased steerage capacity and accommodation for the growing middle class would drive economic success.

After a construction period of nearly three years the Titanic, commanded by veteran Captain Edward John Smith, departed in Southampton on 10th April 1912 never to return.

In a growing archive of articles this site covers the story of the Titanic from her construction, maiden voyage, disaster and aftermath to the discovery of her wreck in 1985.

Design and Engineering

The Titanic designed and constructed at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

She was 882 feet 9 inches in length and 92 feet in breadth. Her gross tonnage was 46,328 tons. Three propellers were driven by two four-cylinder, triple-expansion, inverted reciprocating steam engines and one low-pressure Parsons turbine. Steam was provided by 25 double-ended and 4 single-ended Scotch-type boilers fired by 159 coal burning furnaces that gave her a theoretical top speed of 23 knots.

Deckplans

Technical articles

Technical Discussions

Culture

Movie Archive

The Titanic forms part of our cultural landscape. In Hollywood movies, books, art and music her tragedy is replayed. Titanic has even entered the language: the phrase re-arranging deckchairs on the Titanic exemplifies a futile exercise.

In this site you can learn about how the Titanic has been reflected in contemporary culture; Titanic on film and record, in photographic image and in art. You can also learn about the true stories that inspired the movie makers including The Real Jack Dawson, and you can see the rarest of all film, the Titanic herself.

Other Destinations
Sheet Music | Recorded Music | CGI | Animation

Titanic Research

Have you every wanted to know more about the Titanic, a passenger or crew member. So have we! Research can be as simple as picking up a book or going to your library and searching through the local newspapers from 1912. So why not give it a try and post your findings on Encyclopedia Titanica.

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The Titanic Community

Encyclopedia Titanica is a thriving community as well as a resource. On our message board you'll meet thousands of people with similar interests.

The members will be happy to answer your queries about the Titanic and help you with researching her history and the stories of the people who sailed on her.

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Movies

Pictures

Basic Statistics

The People

324 1st class passengers, 201 survived.
277 2nd class passengers, 118 survived.
708 3rd class passengers, 181 survived.
885 crew members, 212 survived.
13 postmen/musicians, none survived.
Grand total: 2,207 on board, 712 survived.

The Ship

Length: 882 feet 9 inches
Beam: 92 feet
Gross tonnage: 46,328 tons
Propulsion: Three propellers
Engines: Two triple-expansion reciprocating steam engines
One low-pressure Parsons turbine
25 double-ended and 4 single-ended Scotch-type boilers
159 coal burning furnaces
Top speed : 23 knots.

Giant Ships Soon to Join the Atlantic Fleet
Olympic and Titanic, Carrying 5,000 People---12,000 Tons Heavier, 50 Feet Longer Than Any Ship Afloat VISITORS to the commercial capital of Ireland by way of the Victoria Channel through Belfast Lough for the first time ca
Building of Giant Liners
Work on the White Star's Olympic and Titanic Proceeds Rapidly The rise and progress of the leviathan liners now building is an absorbing topic of conversation at Belfast, where the rapid advance in their constructio
The Floating Islands
Today, a floating city; tomorrow, a floating island. No other word is spacious enough for the gigantic ships now coming into existence. Next midsummer the largest ship in the World will be ploughing the Atlantic under the flag of th
The Perils of Passengers
ANOTHER very terrible wreck of an iron steamship has been reported and a loss of human lives has been the consequence, which must cause a shudder to the intending passengers to Europe this season. The unfortunate ship was the "Vicksburg"
THE OLYMPIC LIKE A CITY
Carries 3,346 Persons Turkish and Swimming Baths and Racket Court. LONDON, June 10.—Engineering gives details In regard to the Olympic and Titanic, the sister ships of t
THE SAILORS WERE BEATEN
Morris Park Cricketers Put up a Good Game Against the Majestic Team --- The Morris Park Cricket Club was determined to defeat the team of the steamship Majestic yesterday at Morris Park, and they took no chances in t
GIRL WENT DOWN TO SAVE ANOTHER
Miss Evans Gave Up Place in Boat That a Mother Could Live --- Mrs Brown of Acton Tells of Her Rescue Due to Other's Sacrifice --- Saved through the heroic generosity of a young and b
The Race for Ocean Supremacy
A little more than ten years ago I crossed the Atlantic on the first trip of what was then the largest ocean liner in the world. A distinguished ship-builder who made the voyage at the same time expressed the opinion that this steamship marked the
Titanic Tests her Speed
Then She Sails for Southampton to Prepare for Maiden Voyage by Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times LONDON, April 2.—The White Star liner Titanic, which has just been completed by Ha
Masters of the Sea
The Personal Side of Some of the Popular Captains of Atlantic Liners "I suppose Captain V— is still in command of the A?" asked a woman, as she was about to engage her passage on one of the fleet trans
FUNERAL OF MR. ISMAY
In the presence of a large and representative gathering the remains of Mr. Ismay were buried yesterday in the churchyard at Thurstaston, Cheshire. The road along which the funeral cortége passed w
FUNERALS---MR. BRUCE ISMAY
The funeral service of Mr. Bruce Ismay was held yesterday at St. Paul's, Knightsbridge. The Rev. E. K. C. Hamilton officiated. Members of the family and others present included:---   Mrs. Bruce Ismay, Mr. and Mrs.
MR. BRUCE ISMAY
A correspondent writes:--- Will you permit me to supplement the articles concerning the late Bruce Ismay, which have already appeared in your columns, by the publication of a short personal tribute by an old frien
MR. BRUCE ISMAY
"B. B. H." writes:--- As secretary for 13 years to a charitable fund for young people of which Mr. Ismay was chairman, I know something of the loss which has befallen us this week. One could not have wo
LINER CEDRIC IN PORT
Largest Steamship Afloat Pronounced Steady as a Rock --- Gales and High Seas Made No Impression on Her, and None of the Passengers Was Seasick --- The largest steamship ever constructed slowly made he
Harland Re-elected Mayor of Belfast
Sir E. J. Harland was yesterday re-elected Mayor of Belfast.
Lord Pirrie Appointed Comptroller of Household of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland
IRELAND --- VICE-REGAL APPOINTMENTS The following appointments have been made to the staff of the Lord-Lieutenant:--- Lord Pirrie to be Comptroller, in succession to Lord Powerscourt, resigned. ***
Lord Pirrie's Title
Last night's  Gazette contains the formal notification of the new peerages included in the Birthday Honours. *** Mr. W. J. Pirrie becomes Baron Pirrie of the city of Belfast ***.
Pirrie Takes Oath as Baron
HOUSE OF LORDS --- MONDAY , JULY 23 The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at a quarter-past 4 o'clock. NEW PEERS LORD EVERSLEY, who was introduced by LORD 
Peerage of the United Kingdom Conferred Upon Pirrie
BIRTHDAY HONOURS The King has been pleased to make the following appointments on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday:--- *** NEW PEERS The King has been pleased to confer Peerages of the United Kingdom
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Pioneer Productions Brings Science To Story Of Titanic
Thursday 21st August 2008 10:20 PM
4RFV
Independent producer Pioneer Productions has been commissioned by Channel 4, National Geographic Channel US and Discovery Canada to present the story of 'Titanic' from a new analytical perspective in a drama documentary.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Titanic real life love story?
Wednesday 20th August 2008 10:36 PM
Metro
A true story of love and self sacrifice on board the Titanic was the inspiration behind the Hollywood film, a relative of a survivor said today. Joanna Wood said the blockbuster film starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio was based on a real love story that took place on the doomed ship.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Georgia Aquarium to host exhibition of Titanic artifacts
Tuesday 19th August 2008 10:50 PM
USA Today
An exhibition of artifacts from the ill-fated ocean liner R.M.S. Titanic is opening at the Georgia Aquarium. The exhibition will include interactive displays, videos and recreations of rooms aboard the ship. The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1912.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Family of 'coward' who steered the Titanic into an iceberg reveal his 'life-long guilt and shame'
Monday 18th August 2008 10:38 PM
Mail on Sunday
The sinking of the Titanic left a legacy of grief and heartbreak for hundreds of the survivors. But the suffering was not confined to those who lost loved ones in the icy seas of the North Atlantic. Quartermaster Robert Hichens was at the wheel of the liner on April 15, 1912, when she struck the iceberg that destroyed her.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Set Sail with the Titanic!
Thursday 7th August 2008 10:37 PM
Examiner.com
This weekend the Titanic sails into the Lakewood Cultural Arts Center with Augustana Arts' production of Titanic, The Musical.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Local family uncover a piece of history with Titanic paper
Thursday 7th August 2008 10:36 PM
Drogheda Independent
A local family has uncovered a piece of history after finding a newspaper chronicling the aftermath of the titanic sinking and a will for a man with the same name as their father.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Five-star St. John's inn boasts links to Titanic
Monday 28th July 2008 3:14 PM
Regina Leader-Post
If you're a fan of the blockbuster movie Titanic, the elegant staircase at the Ryan Mansion Inn might deliver a sense of deja vu. The ship, which sank off the coast of Newfoundland in 1912, was luxuriously furnished to capture the growing transatlantic traffic of the era. Its grand staircase to the first-class quarters was a hallmark of the liner's opulence.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Titanic vision for £30m Museum
Friday 25th July 2008 8:13 PM
thisishampshire.net
A MULTI-MILLION-POUND tourist attraction commemorating the Titanic disaster is today exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo. The west wing of the Civic Centre, home to the police station and old magistrates' courts, would be transformed into a £30m museum celebrating Southampton's history if the city council's vision is realised.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Sack for the Titanic crew
Thursday 24th July 2008 8:42 PM
The Sun
A LETTER showing the crew of the Titanic were sacked when news of its sinking reached Britain has been valued at £1million. The document, never seen in public before, has been loaned to an exhibition on the 1912 disaster.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

Steward's lucky Titanic escape
Monday 21st July 2008 8:56 PM
South Devon Herald Express
AMAZING events surrounding the tragic sinking of the Titanic have been brought vividly to life through the experiences of two South Devon men. Torquay Museum is hosting an extensive exhibition about the world's most-famous ship, which struck an iceberg on April 15, 1912, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people.
Submitted by Jason D. Tiller

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