History of Titanic in Timeline
The RMS Titanic, a British ocean liner, tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. The disaster resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,500 out of the 2,224 passengers and crew, making it one of history's deadliest peacetime maritime disasters. Operated by the White Star Line, the ship carried a diverse group of people, including wealthy individuals and emigrants seeking new opportunities in America. The sinking sparked public outrage, leading to significant reforms in maritime safety regulations. The Titanic's story has since become a lasting part of popular culture.
June 1907: RMS Oceanic departs from Southampton-New York run
In June 1907, RMS Oceanic first departed from a new home port along with the Teutonic, Majestic, and the new Adriatic on the Southampton-New York run.
1907: Captain Smith comments on shipbuilding
In 1907, Captain Smith stated that he could not imagine any condition that would cause a ship to founder, emphasizing the advancements in modern shipbuilding at the time.
1907: Discussion between Ismay and Morgan
In mid-1907, J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, and J.P. Morgan, who controlled the White Star Line's parent corporation, discussed the creation of the Olympic-class ocean liners.
July 1908: Approval of Titanic's Design
On July 29, 1908, Harland and Wolff presented the drawings to J. Bruce Ismay and other White Star Line executives. Two days later, on July 31, Ismay approved the design and authorized the start of construction of Titanic, which was based on a revised version of the Olympic's design.
December 1908: Keel Laid Down for Olympic
On December 16, 1908, the keel was laid down for the Olympic.
March 1909: Keel Laid Down for Titanic
On March 31, 1909, the keel was laid down for the Titanic.
May 1911: Launch of the Titanic
In May 1911, specifically on May 31st, the Titanic was launched in Belfast with approximately 100,000 onlookers in attendance. Following the launch, the ship was towed to a fitting-out berth for the installation of engines, funnels, superstructure, and interior fittings.
June 1911: Olympic Enters Service
In June 1911, the Olympic entered service and replaced the Teutonic, which was transferred to the Dominion Line's Canadian service.
September 1911: Collision of the Olympic
In September 1911, the Olympic was involved in a collision which temporarily paused work on the Titanic due to the need to repair the Olympic.
1911: RMS Olympic Collision
In 1911, stewardess Violet Jessop and stoker Arthur John Priest were aboard RMS Olympic when the ship was rammed.
1911: Opening of White Star Dock
In 1911, the deep-water dock at Southampton, known as the "White Star Dock", was opened to accommodate the Olympic-class liners.
January 1912: Insurance Coverage for Titanic
In January 1912, insurance coverage for Titanic and Olympic was secured through Lloyd's of London and London Marine Insurance for £1 million per ship, with a premium of £7,500 for one year.
February 1912: Titanic in Thompson Graving Dock
In February 1912, the Titanic was placed in Thompson Graving Dock to receive its propellers and final red hull coating.
March 1912: Olympic in Thompson Graving Dock
On March 6, 1912, the Titanic was moved out of Thompson Graving Dock to allow the Olympic to enter, which had lost a propeller blade.
April 1912: Sinking of the Titanic
In April 1912, RMS Titanic, a British ocean liner, sank in the early hours of April 15 after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. Approximately 1,500 of the estimated 2,224 passengers and crew died, making it one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters. The event led to major changes in maritime safety regulations.
April 1912: Titanic's Maiden Voyage Begins
In April 1912, Titanic's maiden voyage began from Southampton with passengers boarding from 9:30 am. Third Class passengers boarded first, followed by First and Second Class. A total of 920 passengers boarded at Southampton.
April 1912: Titanic's Sea Trials
On April 2, 1912, Titanic's sea trials began, involving stokers, crew members, and representatives from various companies, including Harland and Wolff and IMM. Jack Phillips and Harold Bride fine-tuned the Marconi equipment for radio operation. Francis Carruthers from the Board of Trade was present to ensure the ship's fitness for passengers.
May 1912: Recovery of Bodies by RMS Oceanic
In mid-May 1912, RMS Oceanic recovered three bodies over 200 miles from the site of the sinking, who were among the original occupants of Collapsible A, and were buried at sea.
June 1912: Guglielmo Marconi's Evidence to Court of Inquiry
In June 1912, Guglielmo Marconi provided evidence to the Court of Inquiry, leading to recommendations for liners to carry telegraphy systems and maintain constant service with sufficient operators.
August 1912: Liner Corsican struck an iceberg
In August 1912, the liner Corsican struck an iceberg in the Atlantic, severely damaging the bow. The weather was hazy, so they were going 'dead slow'. Lifeboats were deployed, but not boarded.
December 1912: Titanic's Scheduled Voyages
The entire schedule of Titanic's voyages through December 1912 exists.
1912: Coal Strike Impact on Titanic's Maiden Voyage
In 1912, a national coal strike in the UK caused disruption to shipping schedules, affecting the Titanic's maiden voyage. Coal was transferred from other vessels to enable the Titanic to sail on its scheduled date.
1912: Titanic in White Star Line's Fleet
In 1912, the RMS Titanic was part of the White Star Line's fleet, which consisted of 29 steamers and tenders. Titanic was the second of the three Olympic-class ocean liners.
1912: Cargo on Titanic's Maiden Voyage
In 1912, the Titanic's maiden voyage included a large amount of baggage, regular cargo consisting of furniture and foodstuffs, and a 1912 Renault Type CE Coupe de Ville motor car.
1912: Radio Act of 1912 and Safety Regulations
In 1912, the United States government passed the Radio Act of 1912, mandating 24-hour radio communications on passenger ships, along with a secondary power supply and communication with nearby vessels. Also, it was agreed in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea that the firing of red rockets from a ship must be interpreted as a sign of need for help.
1913: International Ice Patrol Formation
In 1913, following the Titanic disaster, the International Ice Patrol was formed and internationally funded. This U.S. Coast Guard agency monitors and reports on North Atlantic Ocean icebergs, aiming to prevent threats to transatlantic sea traffic. The Patrol has operated each season since 1913, except during the World Wars, and has significantly reduced loss of life or property due to iceberg collisions in the patrol area.
May 1914: New Life Saving Appliance Rules
In May 1914, the Board of Trade passed new "Rules for Life Saving Appliances" in Britain following recommendations made after the Titanic disaster.
June 1914: British Steamship Companies Meeting in Liverpool
In June 1914, new "Rules for Life Saving Appliances" were applied at a meeting of British steamship companies in Liverpool.
1914: White Star Petition to Supreme Court
In 1914, White Star Line petitioned the United States Supreme Court regarding claims for damages related to the sinking of the Titanic. The court ruled in White Star's favour, limiting the scope of damages survivors were entitled to.
December 1915: Settlement Agreement with Claimants
In December 1915, a settlement was agreed to by 44 claimants against the White Star Line for $664,000, which was only about 27% of the original total sought by survivors.
1955: Publication of 'A Night to Remember'
In 1955, the first historically accurate book about the Titanic disaster, "A Night to Remember", was published. This book provided a factual account of the sinking, contrasting with earlier survivor accounts and fictional portrayals.
1958: Release of 'A Night to Remember' Film
In 1958, the British film "A Night to Remember" was released and became widely regarded as the most historically accurate movie portrayal of the Titanic sinking.
1974: New Version of Safety of Life at Sea convention adopted
In 1974, a completely new version of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea was adopted.
September 1985: Franco-American Expedition Finds Titanic Wreck
On September 1, 1985, a Franco-American expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard successfully located the wreck of the Titanic.
1985: Discovery of Titanic's Wreck
In 1985, the wreck of the Titanic was discovered, revealing that the ship had broken into two pieces, contrary to previous beliefs.
1995: Renaming of Queen's Island to Titanic Quarter
In 1995, Queen's Island in Belfast Harbour, despite having hosted the construction of over 1,600 ships by Harland and Wolff, was renamed Titanic Quarter. This reflected the growing recognition of the Titanic as a significant and unifying symbol for Northern Ireland.
1997: Filming of James Cameron's Titanic
During the filming of James Cameron's "Titanic" in 1997, the replica of the Grand Staircase was ripped from its foundations by the force of water on the set.
1997: Release of James Cameron's 'Titanic' film
In 1997, the release of James Cameron's film "Titanic" significantly boosted global interest in the Titanic story. This increased awareness subsequently influenced tourism strategies in Northern Ireland, highlighting the potential of the Titanic as a major tourist attraction.
2001: UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage
In 2001, the wreck of the Titanic fell under the scope of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, aiming to prevent pillaging and commercial exploitation.
2004: Robert Ballard expedition finds human remains evidence
In 2004, during an expedition led by NOAA, Robert Ballard took photos that showed a boot and a coat close to Titanic's stern which experts called "compelling evidence" that it is the spot where somebody came to rest.
2004: Northern Ireland Tourism Board Strategic Framework
In 2004, following the Good Friday Agreement and an increase in overseas tourists, the Northern Ireland Tourism Board's Strategic Framework for Action 2004–2007 identified that the global interest in the Titanic, partly influenced by the 1997 film, was not being fully leveraged as a tourist attraction.
2006: Estimated Deterioration of Titanic Wreck
In 2006, it was estimated that within 50 years, the hull and structure of the Titanic would eventually collapse entirely due to iron-eating bacteria.
2007: Continued Tourism Strategy
In 2007, the Northern Ireland Tourism Board's Strategic Framework for Action continued to emphasize the significance of the Titanic as a potential tourist attraction, influenced by the 1997 film. This recognition led to the development of projects like Titanic Belfast and a Titanic memorial.
May 2009: Death of Millvina Dean, Last Living Survivor
In May 2009, Millvina Dean, the last living survivor of the Titanic and the youngest passenger on board, died at the age of 97.
April 2012: Release of Possible Human Remains Photos
On 16 April 2012, photos were released showing possible human remains resting on the ocean floor near Titanic's stern, taken in 2004.
2012: Opening of Titanic Belfast
In 2012, coinciding with the ship's centenary, Titanic Belfast was opened on the site of the shipyard where the Titanic was built. By 2016, it had become Northern Ireland's second most visited tourist attraction, drawing almost 700,000 visitors.
2012: Centenary Commemorations
In 2012, the centenary of the Titanic disaster was marked by various commemorative events. These included plays, radio programs, parades, exhibitions, special trips to the sinking site, and the issuance of commemorative stamps and coins. Royal Mail issued ten 1st class UK postage stamps to mark the centenary of the disaster.
November 2016: Construction of Titanic Replica Commences
In November 2016, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd began constructing a replica of the Titanic in China. The vessel was intended for use in a resort and would feature elements such as a ballroom, dining hall, and first-class cabins. It was planned to include an audiovisual simulation of the sinking, which sparked criticism.
2016: Titanic Belfast Visitor Numbers
In 2016, Titanic Belfast was Northern Ireland's second most visited tourist attraction, hosting almost 700,000 visitors. This indicated the ongoing significance of the Titanic story as a tourist draw.
August 2018: Bidding for Titanic Relics
In August 2018, several groups competed for the right to purchase the 5,500 Titanic relics belonging to the bankrupt Premier Exhibitions. A consortium including Titanic Belfast, Titanic Foundation Limited, and the National Museums Northern Ireland, along with the National Maritime Museum, sought to acquire the artifacts to keep them together as a single exhibit.
October 2018: Acquisition of Titanic Relics by Hedge Funds
On 17 October 2018, it was reported that a consortium of three hedge funds—Apollo Global Management, Alta Fundamental Advisers, and PacBridge Capital Partners—had paid US$19.5 million for the collection of 5,500 Titanic relics. The purchase included continued court oversight for future explorations and salvage expeditions.
August 2019: Submersible Crashes into Titanic Wreck
Between 29 July and 4 August 2019, a two-person submersible vehicle conducting research and filming a documentary crashed into the Titanic wreck due to strong currents.
2022: Status of Titanic Replica Project
As of 2022, the Titanic replica project in China was reportedly only 25% complete, and its website and Twitter account were offline, indicating significant challenges or potential abandonment of the project.
2022: Magellan Ltd gathers images
In the summer of 2022, Magellan Ltd, used two submersibles named Romeo and Juliet, to gather 715,000 3D images of the Titanic and its debris field.
May 2023: Creation of Titanic Digital Twin
In May 2023, Magellan Ltd. announced the creation of a "digital twin" of the Titanic wreckage, using 715,000 3D images captured in the summer of 2022.
June 2023: Titan Submersible Implosion
On 18 June 2023, the submersible Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, imploded in the North Atlantic Ocean while carrying tourists to view the wreckage of the Titanic.
July 2024: RMS Titanic Inc. Expedition to the Wreck
On 15 July 2024, RMS Titanic Inc. conducted their first expedition to the wreck in 14 years, aiming to examine its status and search for artifacts using high-resolution photography and metal detection.
2024: Value of claims in 2024 dollars
In 2024, the claims totalled $16,804,112 equivalent to $547,524,325.
2024: Value of La Circassienne au Bain
In 2024, the equivalent value of the claim for compensation filed for the neoclassical oil painting entitled La Circassienne au Bain was $3.2 million.
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