In Memoriam: RMS Titanic

Launch

May 31, 1911 was a clear, bright day in Belfast. The southerly breeze rippled the surface of Belfast Lough and whippped the flags at the top of the gantry. Over 100,000 people were on hand to watch the launching of Hull 401. In keeping with the traditions of The White Star Line and Harland and Wolff, there would be no christening. One worker was heard to say, "They just builds 'em and shoves 'em in." At 12:05 PM, two rockets were fired, followed by a third at 12:10 PM. At 12:13, the 26,000 ton hull started down the ways under its own weight. Titanic reached a speed of twelve knots, before six anchor chains and two piles of cable drag chains weighing eighty tons each brought her to a halt. The entire process had taken 62 seconds. She was then moved by tugs to the fitting-out basin, where she would have her equipment spaces and passenger cabins built out over the next ten months

That same day, Harland and Wolff handed over ownership of the Olympic to The White Star Line. A new chapter in trans-Atlantic travel was about to begin.