Encyclopedia Titanica

Causes and Effects of the Rapid Sinking of the Titanic

Undergraduate Engineering Review

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On April 14, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic collided with a massive iceberg and sank in less than three hours. At the time, more than 2200 passengers and crew were aboard the Titanic for her maiden voyage to the United States. Only 705 survived. According to the builders of the Titanic, even in the worst possible accident at sea, the ship should have stayed afloat for two to three days. This article discusses the material failures and design flaws that contributed to the rapid sinking of the Titanic. In addition, the article addresses the changes that have been made in both the design of ships and the safety regulations governing ships at sea as a result of the Titanic disaster.

by Vicki Bassett
Key Points

Watertight Compartments

The Titanic’s compartments were not fully sealed at the top, allowing water to spill from one to another, which hastened sinking after the iceberg impact.

Rivet Quality

Analysis shows that low-quality iron rivets in the bow and stern sections fractured easily, contributing to structural failure.

Steel Brittleness

The steel used in the Titanic’s hull became brittle in cold temperatures, making it more susceptible to breaking upon impact with the iceberg.

Insufficient Lifeboats

The Titanic was designed with fewer lifeboats than needed for all passengers, a decision driven by aesthetic and regulatory choices of the time.

Overconfidence in “Unsinkability”

The belief that the Titanic was unsinkable led to fewer safety precautions and contributed to the delayed evacuation response.

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This item is not available to read on Encyclopedia Titanica, but we have included it as a reference, provided a brief summary of the key points, and linked to the original source to help readers interested in the finer details of the Titanic story.

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Unsinkable Myth Unsinkability Design Flaws Watertight Compartments Rivets Engineering Failure Brittle Steel

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