The Titanic
Building a Monstrous Vessel
It took about three years for the fifteen thousand workers to finish Olympic and Titanic. They even needed to create new equipment before they could even start.
Three giant propellers made of bronze and steel were affixed to each ship, alongside three massive anchors per ship. Special wagons pulled by powerful horses were used to bring the materials to the shipyard.
The ships would run on steam. Coal would be shoveled into huge boilers, which would give off steam, which would pass through the engines to turn the propellers. Titanic had three large engines of the newest technology. The engines had been used on other new ocean liners successfully.
Olympic was finished first. During one of its early voyages, it was hit by another boat. Water got into two of the watertight compartments, but it still made it back to port. Therefore, people were reassured that Olympic and Titanic could not sink.
Once Titanic passed its float tests, the interior was completed. Inside Titanic was a beautiful grand staircase, with a glass dome on top. There was a gym with exercise equipment, and a swimming pool, which was usually not found on ships. There was also an indoor court to play squash.
First-class passengers had staterooms in the middle of the ship, where the boat rocking wouldn’t be as severe. Some first-class passengers had staterooms with private bathrooms, and some had private decks. All first-class rooms had telephones, heaters, and lamps that wouldn’t tip over when the ship sailed through choppy waters.
Barbershops, smoking rooms, and lounges provided a place for first-class passengers to relax in comfortable chairs while they socialized. And there was a large library on board for passengers to borrow books to read. The Verandah Café and the Café Parisien offered tea and light snacks to ladies between meals.
Even the third-class accommodations were nicer than previous ships. In the past, people in steerage would eat and sleep in one large room, and there was nowhere for them to get fresh air or exercise. But on Titanic, third-class passengers had bunk beds, pillows, and blankets. There was running water and electricity. Cabins even had sinks so passengers could wash up in their own rooms. Third-class had its own smoking room, and they could walk and stroll on lower decks.
Titanic had modern safety measures, even though people felt it was unsinkable. The ship had sixteen watertight compartments to prevent it from sinking. If water should enter one or two compartments, like Olympic, the ship could still stay afloat. White Star ensured there were enough life jackets for every passenger. And there were lifeboats, too, since they were required to have them. Titanic had sixteen wooden lifeboats, and four collapsible boats. All the boats could hold up to 1,178 people. But Titanic was designed to carry 3,547 passengers and crew. Mr. Ismay didn’t see a need for more lifeboats—they’d fulfilled the required quota, and more lifeboats would block passengers’ view of the ocean.
On April 10, 1912, the day of Titanic’s maiden voyage arrived. The crew stood ready wearing dark blue uniforms while passengers began to board the ship. One of the passengers was seven-year-old Eva Hart who was traveling with her mother and father to start a new life in Canada. Although Eva was excited, her mother was not as thrilled. Eva recalled later that her mother refused to sleep a wink the entire trip, for she was certain something would go terribly wrong on the ship.
Samantha’s Log: Memories of Setting Sail
Samantha, Jenny, Bridget, and Uncle Gard still haven’t heard from Cornelia, Nellie, or William. Although the maid brings them food, they can’t really bear to eat. Gard just stares outside the window sipping coffee.
Samantha opens a geography book to try to occupy herself. Out slips a news clipping of the day Titanic set sail. It reminds her again of when she traveled on Queen Caroline. Grandmary reluctantly let Samantha stay up to watch the departure, and she recalls the ship being lit with a million white light bulbs while passengers threw flowers into the water.
Samantha thinks of Nellie, Cornelia, and William laughing and waving from the deck of Titanic, and a lump rises in her throat. Where are they now?