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It sank 112 years ago Monday, but our obsession with the RMS Titanic continues.
History’s most famous ship slipped beneath the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, but we continue to explore its maiden voyage, iceberg, sinking and undersea decay through a seemingly endless stream of photographs, books, documentaries and movies, and museum exhibits.
Fascination has led to tragedy. A submersible carrying five passengers to view the Titanic imploded near the wreck, killing all aboard, in June 2023.
It also has brought technological advances. In May 2023, a new type of digital scanning, using multiple images, gave us a three-dimensional view of the ship as it would look if it were lifted out of the water.
Why are people drawn to Titanic?
“There isn’t a simple answer,” says Karen Kamuda, president of the Titanic Historical Society, which operates the Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts.
Those who join the society are of “all ages and occupations, and their interests are multivariable,” Kamuda says. Aside from their fascination with Titanic and its passengers and crew, their curiosity might include the sister ships Olympic and Britannic, the White Star Line, artifacts, and TV and movies.
“James Cameron’s 1997 film, ‘Titanic,’ opened up a brand-new interest,” Kamuda says. “The internet has helped spread the story worldwide.”
Here are a few things you may not know about Titanic:
Titanic traveled less than 3,000 miles
Titanic was built at the Harland & Wolff shipbuilding company in Belfast, Ireland. After outfitting and sea trials, the ship left port for her maiden voyage.
From Belfast to the fatal iceberg strike, Titanic traveled about 2,555 nautical miles, or 2,940 land miles:
April 2, 1912 | 8 p.m.: Titanic leaves Belfast, sails to Southhampton, England (577 nm).
April 10, 1912 | noon: Titanic leaves Southhampton, sails to Cherbourg, France (88 nm).
April 11, 1912 | 8:10 p.m.: Titanic leaves Cherbourg, sails to Queenstown (now known as Cobh), Ireland (341 nm).
April 11, 1912 | 1:30 p.m.: Titanic leaves Queenstown for New York.
April 14, 1912 | 11:40 p.m.: Titanic strikes iceberg 1,549 nm from Queenstown.
April 15, 1912 | 2:20 a.m.: Titanic sinks about 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada.
Titanic’s lifeboats were not filled to capacity
