Sinking of the Titanic

RMS Titanic was a British ocean liner operated by the White Star Line. Built in Belfast by Harland and Wolff, it began its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on 10 April 1912, calling at Cherbourg and Queenstown (now Cobh). On the night of 14 April, while sailing in the North Atlantic, the ship struck an iceberg at about 11:40 p.m.

The collision damaged several watertight compartments. Although the compartments were designed to limit flooding, water spread from one section to another as the ship’s bow settled lower in the sea. The damage was therefore too extensive for the pumps and watertight arrangements to prevent the sinking. Titanic sank at about 2:20 a.m.

on 15 April, roughly two hours and forty minutes after the collision. More than 2,200 people were on board, including passengers and crew. About 1,500 people died, while around 700 survived. The ship carried 20 lifeboats, enough for far fewer people than were aboard, even though this met the regulations then in force.

Distress signals were transmitted by radio, and the passenger steamer Carpathia reached the area several hours later, rescuing survivors from the lifeboats. The disaster led to major changes in maritime safety, including stronger international rules for lifeboat capacity, continuous radio watches, and the creation of the International Ice Patrol to monitor icebergs in the North Atlantic.