The Titanic – before the Ice Berg

The Titanic was at the forefront of maritime technology, it really was the “Ship of Dreams”. She was:

• • the first ship to have bulkheads running along her length with watertight doors, which could be operated electrically from her bridge.

• • one of the first to have Marconi wireless sets, a totally new technology.

• • the biggest moving object ever built at that time she was 269 metres (882.5 ft) long and 28.2 metres (92ft 5ins) wide.

• • the length of four Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets!

This huge ship was luxurious:

• • First Class passengers had the most splendidly decorated rooms and facilities surpassing most first-class hotels at the time.

• • Second Class was more sumptuous than second class hotels on land.

• • Third Class was obviously more basic but was a huge improvement on third class travel accommodation on other ships, for example, regular and healthy meals were provided, while the décor was attractive, yet simple, in the large communal spaces.

Then on April 10^th, 1912, as it set out for New York, there were problems.  

• • A coal fire had begun in one of her coal bunkers!  The crew weren’t worried, as this was not unusual on large steamers, though, of course, in the end it added to the problems.

• • Then, as she left Southampton Dock she nearly collided with The New York!

Was the journey doomed?

Well, after that everything appeared to be going well.  She made two brief stops, one at Cherbourg, then to Queenstown, in southern Ireland, before setting off across the Atlantic Ocean.

The biggest and safest ship ever, what could go wrong?

Our musical The Titanic – The Ship of Dreams tells your children what did go wrong, download it today by clicking on https://www.history-portal.com/product/the-ship-of-dreams-download/

Let’s make history fun!

10 questions to discuss:

1. Beyond the bulkheads and wireless, what other innovative technologies were incorporated into the Titanic’s design?
2. How did the social class distinctions reflected in the passenger accommodations align with broader societal norms and expectations of the early 20th century?
3. What specific features or amenities made the First Class accommodations on the Titanic so luxurious compared to contemporary hotels?
4. What were some of the challenges or limitations faced by Third Class passengers, despite the improvements over other ships?
5. Was the coal fire a significant contributing factor to the Titanic’s sinking, or was it more of a secondary issue?
6. What were the potential consequences of the near-collision with the New York, and how did it impact the passengers’ and crew’s sense of security?
7. Considering the ship’s advanced features and reputation for safety, what factors might have contributed to the prevailing sense of confidence before the disaster?
8. Beyond the iceberg collision, what other events or decisions played a role in the tragic outcome of the Titanic’s voyage?
9. How did the Titanic disaster impact maritime safety regulations and shipbuilding practices in the years that followed?
10. The legacy of the Titanic continues to fascinate people today. What are some of the enduring lessons or cautionary tales we can learn from this historical event?

These questions are to encourage critical thinking and delve deeper into various aspects of the Titanic’s story, from its technological advancements and social dynamics to the events leading up to the disaster and its lasting impact.

For more on the Ship of Dreams:

https://medium.com/s/story/the-titanic-was-on-fire-for-days-before-the-iceberg-hit-94fa26471dfa

https://titanicfacts.net/titanic-maiden-voyage/

https://titanicfacts.net/titanic-maiden-voyage/

© Tony Dalton