Key Points
Understanding Displacement:
- Displacement refers to the amount of water a ship displaces when loaded to its approved draught.
- Gross tonnage, often confused with displacement, measures enclosed space, not weight.
Actual Displacement:
- Titanic’s actual displacement at a load draught of 34 feet 7 inches was 52,310 tons.
- This figure is confirmed by reliable sources, including Edward Wilding from Harland & Wolff and Thomas Andrews.
Olympic’s Displacement:
- Olympic, Titanic’s sister ship, had a similar displacement.
- At a draught of 34 feet, Olympic displaced 51,340 tons, and at 34 feet 7 inches, it displaced 52,310 tons.
Origins of the Myth:
- The 66,000-ton figure likely originated from early advertising and secondary literature.
- An advertising booklet in 1911 and The Shipbuilder’s special number on Olympic and Titanic contributed to this misconception.
Importance of Accurate Displacement:
- Accurate displacement figures are crucial for ship design and stress calculations.
- Misunderstanding these figures can lead to incorrect assumptions about a ship’s capabilities and safety.
Conclusion:
- Despite the prevalence of the 66,000-ton figure, it is incorrect.
- Titanic’s true displacement was significantly lower, around 52,310 tons.
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