The RMS Titanic wasn't built for speed, but for unparalleled luxury. White Star Line chairman J. Bruce Ismay wanted a ship to dominate the transatlantic route with its opulence. Built in the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the vessel was the largest moveable man-made object of its time, stretching 269 metres long. It was a statement of industrial might, held together by over three million rivets. The Titanic was popularly described as practically unsinkable, featuring a system of 16 watertight compartments. The ship was engineered to stay afloat even if the first four of these compartments flooded, or if any two adjacent ones were breached. This advanced design gave a profound sense of security to the public and its owners.
The Titanic
The tragic tale of the Titanic, a ship designed to survive four flooded compartments, but which met its end after an iceberg breached five.
Chapter 1
A Palace on the Water
0:49
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Titanic considered 'unsinkable'?
The Titanic was designed with 16 watertight compartments. The builders believed it could stay afloat with any four of these compartments flooded, a level of damage that was considered highly improbable. This engineering feat led to the popular but unofficial 'unsinkable' label.
Did the Titanic really not have enough lifeboats?
Yes. The Titanic carried 20 lifeboats with a total capacity for 1,178 people, which was over 1,000 short for its full complement. However, this number met the legal requirements of the time, which were based on a ship's tonnage, not its passenger count.
What changes were made to maritime safety after the disaster?
The tragedy led to the 1914 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This new set of international laws required ships to carry lifeboats for every person on board, maintain a 24-hour radio watch, and led to the formation of the International Ice Patrol.
Learn more
To continue the story, download the Chunks Microlearning app
Or get it straight away:
Download on iOS
Download on Android