The voyage included stops at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, where more passengers boarded. The ship was heavily laden with people and cargo, and it promised a swift and comfortable crossing.
Captain Edward John Smith, a seasoned seaman nearing retirement, commanded the Titanic. Many saw the maiden voyage as a prestigious moment, and the ship's reputation as the most advanced and safest ship on the sea was widely publicized.
The Fateful Night: April 14, 1912
After several days of smooth sailing across the North Atlantic, Titanic entered an area known for icebergs. Several ships had reported ice warnings, and these messages were relayed to the Titanic, but the ship maintained its speed of about 22 knots to keep to schedule.
At approximately 11:40 p.m. on April 14, the lookouts spotted an iceberg directly in the ship’s path. Despite efforts to steer away, Titanic struck the iceberg on the starboard (right) side, causing a series of punctures along her hull. The damage was catastrophic—five of the sixteen watertight compartments began to flood.
The crew quickly realized that Titanic was doomed. The ship’s design could not withstand flooding beyond four compartments. Captain Smith ordered the ship to be evacuated. However, Titanic carried only 20 lifeboats—enough for about half of the passengers and crew, far below what was necessary for all onboard. This shortage was in line with outdated maritime regulations that did not account for ships of Titanic's size. shutdown123