R.M.S. TITANIC - History
Following just over two years of construction, which began in 1909, the Titanic was launched on 31st May 1911 from the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland. It took another ten months to fit her out prior to undergoing sea trials in Belfast Lough before she was ready for passenger service. From Belfast, the Titanic sailed to Ocean Dock in Southampton, England, arriving on the 3rd April 1912. There she was loaded with provisions and made ready for her maiden voyage. A list of the provisions requested by the chief chef included the following; 35,000 fresh eggs, 75,000 pounds of fresh meat, 40 tons of potatoes, 800 bales of asparagus, 1000 bottles of wine and 15,000 bottles of ale and stout. A list of utensils included 12,000 dinner plates, 1,000 oyster forks, 15,000 champagne glasses, 40,000 various towels and 45,000 napkins.
After taking on passengers from the Waterloo Boat Train, the Titanic set sail for Cherbourg in France at 1300hrs on Wednesday 10th April 1912. During her exit from Southampton dock, the Titanic narrowly avoided disaster when the ship's wake caused the New York liner to break free from her moorings and almost collide with the Titanic's port quarter, precariously coming to rest within a matter of inches. To some, this was seen as a bad omen for the great ship's maiden voyage.
From Cherbourg, the Titanic set sail for Queenstown in Ireland arriving there mid afternoon on Thursday. She was anchored 2 miles out to sea from Roches Point, Queenstown whereupon a number of approx 150 passengers were embarking from tenders when one of the passengers noticed an apparition of a fireman's face covered in soot appear from one of the ventilation funnels. Feeling uneasy, one of the ship's firemen, John Coffey was reported to have deserted ship following this incident. next >>
