Titanic anniversary: A maiden voyage that ended in tragedy

On 10 April 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton dock, heading for New York with thousands of passengers and crew on board. No one could predict the disaster about to befall the 'unsinkable' shipRMS Titanic, then the largest ship in the world and widely believed to be unsinkable, left Southampton dock on 10 April 1912, bound for New York with more than two thousand passengers and crew members on board.Tickets ranged from �7 15s for steerage to �870 for the most impressive suites, which included two bedrooms, sitting room, private bathroom and a room for the servants, as well as a private balcony, the latest thing. Titanic's provisions for the journey included 75,000 lbs of fresh meat, 35,000 eggs, 40 tons of potatoes, 1,000 lbs of tea and 15,000 bottles of ale and stout.The day after the Titanic set off on her maiden voyage, the Guardian's leader writers marvelled at how far removed such first class travel was from 'old-fashioned people's ideas of a sea voyage'. Titanic was fitted out with luxurious lounges, squash courts, top restaurants and concert halls. It was a maiden journey that was to end in disaster for the Titanic's passengers and crew. On 14 April 1912, at 11.40 pm, the Titanic struck an iceberg; three hours later, at 2.20 am, she sank, claiming over 1,500 lives. Little more than 700 passengers and crew survived the tragedy.One survivor, a Mr. Beesley, told the Press Association when he reached New York that 'there was no panic or rush to the boats, and there were no scenes of women sobbing hysterically, such as one generally pictures happening at such times.'The British inquiry held in the wake of the disaster found little fault with the Titanic's Captain, EJ Smith; though the ship was travelling at too high a speed they determined he was merely following an accepted method of navigation that had, until then, resulted in no loss of life. The inquiry did however criticise Stanley Lord, then master of the Californian, for failing to respond to Titanic's distress signals, suggesting that his ship may have 'saved many, if not all, of the lives that were lost' if he had done so. Lord was dogged by the accusation for the remainder of his life. Download the Guardian Shorts Titanic ebook now, and immerse yourself in the Titanic's incredible journey and the tragedy that unfolded, as the Guardian saw it.--The TitanicTransportBoating holidaysKaty Stoddardguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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