Why did the Titanic sink?

Koh, Eunjin

RMS Titanic

Titanic was an Olympic class passenger liner that became infamous for its collision with an iceberg and dramatic sinking in 1912. She was the largest passenger steamship in the world at the time of her sinking. It was her maiden voyage in April 10, 1912

RMS Titanic

Rediscovery

After Titanic sank, many people wanted to find the wreck of the Titanic, finally Sep 1, 1985, Research Vessel Knorr, discovered the wreck using the video camera sled Argo

Processing of the sinking

Hit an iceberg at 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912. Sank on April 15, 1912, at 2:20 AM. Details follow.

1 :45 PM – Amerika iceberg warning 11:40 PM – Iceberg, right ahead 2 :45 AM – First lifeboat lowered 2 :00 AM – Waterline reaches forward

boat deck 2 :20 AM – Titanic sinks 4 :10 AM – Carpathia picks up first life boat

After sinking

Casualty total 1503

people died

Class Men Women Children Total

1st Died 118 4 1 123

Survived 57 139 5 201

2nd Died 154 15 0 169

Survived 14 79 23 116

3rd Died 387 89 53 529

Survived 75 76 26 177

Crew Died 693 3 0 696

Survived 194 18 0 212

Cause of the sinking

Captain Smith ignored seven iceberg warning – if he had called for the ship to slow down then maybe the Titanic disaster would not have happened.

Rivets were made of sub-standard iron- about 3 million rivets were used to hold the sections of the Titanic together.

Cause of the sinking

Competition between White Star Line and Cunand – the White Star Line wanted to show that they could make a six-day crossing. To meet this schedule the Titanic could not afford to slow down.

Arrogance of the crew – they believed that their ship couldn’t sink.

Effects of the sinking

Ratified the Radio Act of 1912 ; streamlined radio communication, especially in the event of emergencies.

Formation and international funding of the international Ice Patrol

Changed the way passenger ships were designed; refitted for increased safety

Reference

“Casualties of the RMS Titanic sinking.” Wikipedia 30 October 2006, 16 November 2006<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_RMS_Titanic_sinking>

“The Titanic Commutator.” the titanic historical society,inc 2006, 16 Novemver 2006 <http://secured.titanichistoricalsociety.org/shop/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jqjqgpi4>

“RMS Titanic.” wikipedia 7 November 2006, 16 November 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Titanic

“The Titanic Why did the Titanic sink? ” history on the net 20 August 2005, 16 November 2006<http://www.historyonthenet.com/Titanic/blame.htm>