The RMS Titanic remains one of the most meticulously documented maritime events, blending engineering ambition with tragic historical consequence. These Titanic ship facts reveal a vessel built to symbolize progress, yet shaped by human decisions, design limits, and the unforgiving nature of the North Atlantic.
Across construction records, safety reports, and passenger accounts, verified Titanic ship facts offer a clear window into how the ship was operated, regulated, and remembered. The following sections organize the most relevant details into focused themes that highlight the vessel’s profile, systems, voyage, and legacy.
| Category | Detail | Value | Source Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Name | RMS Titanic | Titanic | Royal Mail Ship designation |
| Ocean Liner | Passenger and cargo | Designed for transatlantic service | |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff | Belfast, United Kingdom | Shipyard records |
| Keel Laid | 31 March 1909 | Belfast | Construction start date |
| Launched | 31 May 1911 | Belfast | Float-out ceremony |
| Maiden Voyage | 10 April 1912 | Southampton to New York | First commercial crossing |
| Length | 882 feet 9 inches | 269.1 meters | Design specification |
| Gross Register Tonnage | 46,328 GRT | Volume measurement | Official registry |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,327 total (combined classes) | Approximate | Company planning figures |
| Lifeboats | 20 wooden lifeboats | 1,178 places | Board of Trade requirement at the time |
Design And Engineering Specifications
Structural Dimensions And Systems
Titanic ship facts about design emphasize scale, material choices, and compartmentalization. The ship featured 15 transverse watertight bulkheads, intended to keep the vessel afloat even if multiple adjacent compartments were breached. Four funnels were installed, though only three served the boilers, with the fourth improving ventilation and aesthetics.
Power And Propulsion Layout
The triple-expansion steam engines and low-pressure turbine drove three propellers, enabling a design speed of approximately 22 to 23 knots. Electricity powered lighting and public spaces, representing a shift from gas and oil onboard systems used on earlier liners.
Construction Timeline And Key Milestones
A detailed chronology of Titanic ship facts begins with steel cutting in 1909 and extends through outfitting and sea trials. The ship’s construction was tracked through blueprints, component logs, and daily yard reports, many of which survive for historical study.
| Event | Date | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keel Laid | 31 March 1909 | Harland and Wolff, Belfast | Construction begins |
| Launch | 31 May 1911 | Belfast slipway | Float-out ceremony |
| Fitting Out | 1911–1912 | Belfast and Southampton | Interior and systems installation |
| Sea Trials | 1 April 1912 | Irish Sea | Performance verification |
| Maiden Voyage | 10 April 1912 | Southampton | Departure on first commercial crossing |
| Sinking | 15 April 1912 | North Atlantic | Collision with iceberg |
Passenger And Crew Configuration
Class Breakdown And Capacity Details
Understanding Titanic ship facts requires examining how passengers were distributed across first, second, and third class. Each class had dedicated public rooms, dining areas, and accommodation standards, reflecting social expectations of 1912 maritime travel. Crew quarters were located primarily in lower decks, separate from passenger facilities.
Notable Passengers And Crew Roles
Among the verified Titanic ship facts are lists of prominent passengers, including industrialists, journalists, and aristocrats. Crew roles ranged from deck officers and engineers to stewards and musicians, with detailed personnel records maintained for operational and legal review after the disaster.
Safety Systems And Regulatory Context
Lifeboat Requirements And Availability
Titanic ship facts related to safety highlight that the vessel carried 20 lifeboats with a rated capacity of 1,178 people, exceeding Board of Trade regulations in force at the time. Despite this, the total capacity was insufficient for all passengers and crew, a point often examined in historical safety analyses.
Navigation, Communications, and Warnings
The ship was equipped with Marconi wireless telegraphy, operated by licensed wireless operators who relayed ice warnings from other vessels. On the night of the sinking, a combination of warnings, route decisions, and lookout protocols shaped the context in which the tragedy unfolded.
Key Takeaways And Recommendations
- Verify critical Titanic ship facts using primary sources such as company records, Board of Trade reports, and contemporary newspaper archives.
- Recognize that design features like watertight compartments influenced survivability and shaped later maritime safety regulations.
- Use the construction timeline to contextualize decisions, from steel procurement to sea trials and departure scheduling.
- Consider crew and passenger class structure when interpreting capacity, service quality, and survival outcome analyses.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many people could the Titanic lifeboats accommodate in total?
The lifeboats on Titanic had a combined rated capacity of 1,178 people, based on 20 wooden lifeboats with specified per-boat limits.
What was the official gross register tonnage of the Titanic?
The Titanic’s gross register tonnage was recorded as 46,328 GRT, a volumetric measure used for registry and commercial purposes.
On what date did the Titanic keel get laid at the shipyard?
The keel of the Titanic was laid on 31 March 1909 at Harland and Wolff in Belfast.
What were the Titanic’s power plant specifications in terms of engines and propellers?
The Titanic used two reciprocating triple-expansion steam engines for the inboard shafts and one low-pressure steam turbine for the center shaft, driving three propellers in total.