Sir, – The story of the RMS Titanic is multilayered. This week marks the 114th anniversary of her sinking in 1912. On its first voyage it was hit by an iceberg before midnight on April 14th and sank two hours 40 minutes later on the 15th about 600km south to southeast of Canada.
More than 1,500 people died and there were 712 survivors. Every year memorial events are held in Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg, Cobh and New York – and in Halifax, Canada, where some of the Titanic’s dead are buried. The United States Coast Guard via International Ice Patrol casts wreaths where it sank.
Why is the Titanic remembered? It was the largest ship at the time, owned by the White Star Line. The lack of enough lifeboats led to many deaths. The wealthy and the not well-off died together in a social class- divided era. Everyone was equal in death.
A witness said the 24 engineers were told by the chief engineer, Joseph Bell, they could leave. They all died with the ship – keeping the lights and engines going as long as possible. Thomas Andrews, the chief designer of Titanic, died too. He was seen putting women and children in lifeboats. The iceberg did irregular and lethal cuts into the side hull of the ship. Andrews had asked for more lifeboats and an extra-strong double hull, but was refused by the White Star line.
READ MORE
There were 30 nationalities on-board. Most were British, Irish or American.
Eight workers were killed in its building. One died as Titanic was released underneath (a dangerous undertaking at the time under a huge ship) when launched. Her sister ship, the Olympic, had nine deaths in its building.
The “Titan” submersible imploded in 2023 near the Titanic site, killing all on-board; including the owner of the new, lighter type of submersible. He was very confident it was safe – in spite of concerns of others; a similar story to the Titanic. He hoped to build a business bringing wealthy people paying high fees to see the remains of the Titanic. – Yours, etc,
MARY SULLIVAN,
College Road,
Cork.
