Size/Weight:

• Length: 882 feet, 8 inches (268 meters)
• Beam: 92.5 feet (28 meters)
• Height: 60.5 feet waterline to Boat Deck, 175 feet keel to top of funnels
• Draft: 59.5 feet
• Gross Tonnage: 46,328 tons
• Net Tonnage: 24,900 tons
• Top Speed: 23 knots

Total Capacity: 3547 passengers and crew

Decks: 9 in all (including the Orlop Deck)- the Boat Deck, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and boiler rooms below G.

Other Specifications:

• Engines: 2 reciprocating 4 cylinder, triple expansion, direct- acting, inverted engines: 30,000 hp, 77 rpm. 1 low pressure Parsons turbine: 16,000 hp, 165 rpm
• Fuel Requirement: 825 tons of coal per day
• Propellers: 3- Centre turbine: 17 feet, Left/right wings: 23 feet, 6 inches
• Boilers: 29 (24 double ended boilers and 5 single ended boilers)
• Furnaces: 159 providing a total heating surface of 144,142 sq. feet
• Steam pressure: 215 P.S.I.
• Watertight compartments: 16, extending up to F deck

Lifeboats: 20 total:

• 14 wood lifeboats, each 30 feet x 9 feet 1 inch, by 4 feet deep, with a carrying capacity of 65 persons each; 2 wood cutters, each 25 feet 2 inches, x 7 feet 2 inches, by 3 feet deep, with a carrying capacity of 40 persons each; 4 Englehard collapsible boats, each 27 feet x 8 feet, by 3 feet deep, with a carrying capacity of 47 persons each.

Lifeboat total rated capacity: 1,179 persons

Personal floatation devices: 3,560 life jackets and 49 life buoys

Many people will say that the creation of the Titanic began in 1907 – with the original concept of a grand luxury liner, however, construction of the liner did not actually commence until March 31, 1909 in Belfast (Ireland) by Harland and Wolff. The giant liner and her sister ships collectively made up the ‘Olympic class’ vessels of the White Star Line, this new fleet of liners were specifically designed to cater for an elite class of passengers. Only the very best décor and fittings were planned for the Titanic and her sister ships – offering a higher standard of accommodation than had ever been seen before.

The designers and builders of the Titanic had a sole intention – to construct the largest ever ship to sail the oceans – and to this end, White Star Line ensured that no expense would be sparred during the construction phases.  The actual building of the Titanic took 3 years and cost $7.5 million dollars – a staggering amount at the time. In excess of 3000 men were employed to build the Titanic and press releases by the White Star Line claimed that the liner was ‘designed to be unsinkable.’

Clearly building techniques have moved on somewhat in recent years, but at the time, the construction methods used for the Titanic were considered to be the very best available. Although the stability of the liner has since been questioned by a number of experts in naval engineering – at the time, the Titanic was intended to be a revolution in passenger liner building.

From the Officers’ Quarters and Wheelhouse to the Sun Deck, dining areas and bedrooms, only the very finest in fixtures and fittings were used during the construction and decorating of the Titanic. The staterooms were richly decorated in a selection of ornate period styles, including Louis XVI, Louis XV, Georgian and Queen Anne.

The White Star Line described the first class parlour suite B57 on the Titanic as follows; “The Staterooms in their situation, spaciousness and appointments will be perfect havens of retreat where many pleasant hours are spent, and where the time given to slumber and rest will be free from noise or other disturbance”.

The third class accommodation was also vastly improved in comparison to older liners. There were 84 two-berth cabins available for third class passengers on the Titanic. Each cabin had bunk beds for the use of between 4 and 6 people, some small storage space and a sink with fresh water. Six occupant cabins were used to accommodate families.

The third class two-berth stateroom on the Titanic was described by The White Star Line as follows; “The accommodation for third class passengers in these steamers is also of a very superior character, the public rooms being large, airy apartments, suitably furnished, and in excellent positions, and the same applies to the third-class staterooms and berths”.

Naturally, the difference between first class and third class dwellings differed somewhat – however, it was the aim of the Titanic to set a new trend in the décor and size of passenger liners.

Such theories are certainly fascinating, but perhaps with all of the hype that surrounds the Titanic, we tend to forget the major human tragedy that occurred on that fateful day. What we do know is that the liner set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton on 10 April 1912 with 2,223 people on board, following much excitement and interest from the press. Headed towards New York City – the Titanic was described by many (quite ironically in reflection) as the ‘unsinkable ship’ – and certainly she was a very impressive vessel in both design and overall size. However, just four days into her epic journey, at 11:40pm on 14 April 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg and eventually sank at 2:20am the following day.

Following years of planning, designing and building (the liner was constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland, UK), the sinking of the White Star Line owned Titanic took less than 3 hours, resulting in 1,517 deaths – making it one of the deadliest  maritime disasters to occur during peacetime. It has been well documented that the ships lifeboats only had room for 1,178 people – and surprisingly, this figure fully complied with regulations at the time. Due to the “women and children first” protocol that was issued by commanding officers and crew, a disproportionate number of men died during the tragedy.

Of course, some passengers did survive – and they went on to tell their versions of the event. However, it can be assumed that the majority of survivors lost at least one of their companions or loved ones during the catastrophe – and some may have even lost everyone that they travelled with. To this end, the Titanic still strikes a chord in the hearts of many families. A number of films, programmes and documentaries have been made about the Titanic in subsequent years –one of the most famous of recent times being the 1997 film directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and  Kate Winslet.

As the years go by, the majority people will not remember the actual event itself, but we can gain knowledge from these kinds of media. Certainly, we are offered a human insight into the loss and devastation caused by the sinking of the Titanic. However, many people still question how this great liner – designed by experienced engineers and utilising the most advanced technologies available – could possibly meet such a tragic end, and to this end, our interest in the Titanic is set to continue.