1912-1918 The Maiden voyage

2 April 1912

Trials are conducted about 40 miles down the Irish Sea. Returning to Belfast Titanic is certified by the board of Trade and is turned over by her buider to the new owner the White Star Line. She departs Belfast a few minutes past 8 p.m. for Southampton.

3 April 1912

570 miles logged. Belfast to Southampton. During the passage Titanic reaches a speed of 23 1/4 knots, the highest she will ever attain.

10 April 1912

6 a.m. Crew comes aboard

7:30 a.m. Captain Edward J. Smith comes aboard.

8 a.m. Ship's flag the Blue ensign, is hoisted at stern. Crew commences its muster.

9:30 a.m. Passengers begins embarkation.

Noon, Moments after noon Titanic slips her mooring and leave the pier.

When Titanic departs Southampton, she has aboard a total of 1,846, including 22 cross-Channel and 7 Queenstown passengers. A fire that began in coal bunker 6 when coal was taken on at Belfast has smoldered ever since. Efforts to estinguish it continue as the liner sail.

6:35 p.m. Arrives at Cherbourg. Anchor off the Rade. Logged 82 miles. Titanic disembarks 15 first and 7 second class passengers. Takes aboard 142 first, 30 second and 102 third class passengers.

8:10 p.m.  Departs Cherbourg for Queenstown (Cork Irland).

11 April 1912

11:30 a.m. Arrives at Queenstown, anchors off Roche's point.

1:30 p.m. Departs Queenstown for New York. Aboard: 337 first class, 271 second class and 712 third class passengers. 908 Crew, total 2,228.

12 April 1912

386 miles logged 12 noon.

11 a.m. Wireless message from eastbound Empress of Britain reports ice at 43°28'N, 49°36' W.

8 p.m. Wireless message from eastbound La Tourraine describes field ice and 2 large bergs, in the path ahead of and directly along Titanic course.

13 April 1912

519 miles logged 12 noon.

9 a.m. Daily inspection, 9 to 11 a.m.

Noon, Shortly after noon, the fire in coal bunker 6 is reported extinguished.

14 April 1912

546 miles logged 12 noon

9 a.m. Message from Noordam describes ice directly ahead of Titanic.

1:42 p.m. Message from Baltic warns of ice. Bruce Ismay keeps message to show friends until 7:15 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Air temperature 39°F, Californian reports ice at 42°03'N, 49°09'W

10:55 p.m. Stopped in ice north of Titanic course, the Leyland steamer Californian transmit an ice warning to   Titanic. Californian's wireless operator is cut off by Titanic's senior operator before the position is transmitted...

11:40 p.m.

In the crow's nest, lookout fleet warns "Iceberg right ahead!" First officer Murdoch orders the engines full astern and the helm hard-a starboard in order to make a hard port turn around the berg. He quickly activates the lever that closes the liner's watertight doors. The Titanic strikes the iceberg at a speed of 20 knots. The contact lasts about 10 seconds, enough time to tear a jagged, intermittent gash almost 300 feet long. The sea's water enters the vessel's forepeak No.1 hold, No. 2 hold, No. 3 hold, and No. 6 boiler room, and penetrates about 6 feets beyond the bulkhead of No. 5 boiler room.

11:41 p.m. Captain Smith comes to the bridge and receive Murdoch's reports of collision.

11:45 p.m. Engines stopped. Thomas Andrews, a managing director of Harland and Wolff, comes to the bidge.

Thomas Andrew

11:47 p.m. Ismay arrives on the bridge, is told by Captain Smith that the ship is badly damaged. Ismay return below.

11:48 p.m. Captain Smith and Andrews leave to inspect damage.

11:49 p.m. Water in the mail hold is rushing in and rising rapidly.

11:57 p.m. Captain Smith and Andrews return to the bridge after their tour of inspection. Andrews calculates that the ship has only a short time: "Captain, we are sinking."

12 Midnight, Captain Smith orders officers and boat crews mustered.

15 Avril 1912

12:02 a.m. The boats are uncovered. The order is given to muster the passengers.

12:14 a.m. Captain Smith tells wireless operator to send the signal for distress.

12:15 a.m. First distress signal transmitted: CQD, "Come Quickly Danger". Heard by la Provence and Mount Temple and by the land station at Cape Race, Newfoundland.

12:18 to 12:30 a.m. Titanic CQD is heard by Ypiranga, Carpathia   and Frankfurt: "I require assistance immediately. Struck by iceberg in 41°46'N, 50°14'W. Tell your captain to come to our help. We are on ice."

12:25 a.m. Fourth officer Boxhall sights the masthead light of a nearby vessel about five miles away.

12:30 a.m. Boxhall orders quartermaster Rowe to signal the nearby vessel with a Morse lamp. No answer.

12:45 a.m. Boxhall assisted by Rowe, fires the first rocket. 7 more rockets are fired during the next 55 minutes at 5 to 10 minute intervals.

1:25 a.m. The nearby ship, sighted earlier now shows her stern light and appears to be steaming away.

1:40 a.m. Last rocket fired from Titanic

The rescue is organised

12:25 a.m. The Carpathia intercepts Titanic's CQD. Captain Arthur H. Rostron sees that he is 58 miles to the southeast of the stricken and changes course.

12:35 a.m. Rostron musters the entire crew to receive survivors. Carpathia's speed is increased to 17 1/2 knots, some 3 1/2 knots faster than customary.

12:45 a.m. Titanic calls Olympic. CQD changed to S.O.S, the first SOS ever sent.

1:10 a.m. Titanic notifies Olympic: "We are in collision with berg. Sinking head down. 41°46'N, 50°14'W. Come as soon as possible"

1:25 a.m. Olympic asks: "Are you steering southerly to meet us?" Titanic replies: "We are putting off the women on the boat".

1:35 a.m. Olympic asks: "What weather have you?" Titanic responds "Clear and calm." Then: "Engine room getting flooded."

1:45 a.m. Last signal heard by Carpathia from Titanic: "Engine room full up to bunkers."

1:48 a.m. Asian hears Titanic SOS and answers, but receives no response.

2:20 a.m. Olympic in contact with Hellig Olav. Asks if he heard anything from Titanic. Hellig Olav replies: "No, keeping strict watch, but hear nothing more from Titanic". This is the official time of Ttanic's sinking.

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