In Memoriam: RMS Titanic
Fitting Out
Once a vessel is launched, the work of constructing the passenger accomodations, installing the engineering equipment, and generally making her seaworthy starts. Everything prior to this has been equivalent to laying the foundation for a building. Now the carpenters, electricians, steamfitters, carpet layers, and metalworkers (to name a few of the many trades involved) have a chance to ply their craft.
Titanic's specifications were based, in large part, on those of the Olympic. Several changes were to be made, however, that would maker over 1,000 tons heavier and even more luxurious. One of these was the provision of an enclosure around the A Deck Promenade. Passengers on the Olympic had complained of being splashed with spray from the bow as the ship made its way through the North Atlantic seas. This change resulted on one of the most visible differences between the two ships.
Titanic was dry-docked on February 3, 1912 in the Thompson Graving Dock. It was during this time she received her three propellers. This was the final phase of the fitting out. Finishing touches were placed on all the interiors. The great candelabra for the main staircase arrived and was installed. The kitchens were installed and tested. The wireless, capable of transmitting 500 miles, was installed, tested, and assigned the call letters MGY. Utensils and china arrived, all to be sent to appropriate storage in the kitchen. Charts and navigational equipment were sent to the bridge. All the things necessary for the operation of a great hotel and a great ocean liner came aboard, were installed, tested, stored, and inventoried. The great ship was nearly finished.
On April 2, 1912, she commenced her sea trials. After leaving the tugs behind, Titanic made a series of high speed runs to test her engines. These included maneuvering with all three engines, just the wing engines, and the rudder. The most significant test was the final one. The ship was set on a straight course at 20 ½ knots. The helm was ordered hard over. Heeling slightly, Titanic turned a full circle of approximately 3,850 feet in diameter. The ships forward movement was about 2,100 feet during this maneuver. Little could anyone know they would be repeating this turn in less than two weeks under dramatically different conditions.
With the completion of this test and approval of Francis Carruthers, Board of Trade surveyor, The White Star Line took ownership of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic.In her brief life, she would be the largest, most luxurious object ever set in motion by man.
- Length: 882 feet, 9 inches
- Decks: 9 in total (counting the orlop deck) the boat deck A,B,C,D,E,F,G below G boiler rooms.
- Beam: 92.5 feet
- Height: 60.5 feet waterline to Boat Deck, 175 feet keel to top of funnels.
- Passengers: 329 First Class, 285 Second Class, 710 Third Class
- Crew: 899
- Engines: 2 reciprocating 4 cylinder, triple expansion, direct - acting, inverted engines: 30,000hp 75 rpm. 1 low pressure Parsons turbine: 16,000 hp 165 rpm
- Propellers: 3. Center: 16 feet Left/Right wings: 23 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 46,328 tons.
- Boilers: 29
- Lifeboats: 20 total - 16 wooden lifeboats with 4 Engelhardt collapsibles. Capacity - 1,178 persons
- Top Speed: 21 knots - 23 knots
