FAMOUS INVESTIGATIONS
THE TITANIC
DISASTER
How the sinking of the “unsinkable” ship was investigated.
The sinking of RMS Titanic shocked the world and triggered major investigations on both
sides of the Atlantic. Investigations examined the iceberg collision, speed, ice warnings,
lifeboat capacity, radio communications and the response of nearby ships.
QUICK FACTS
15 APRIL 1912
Date of sinking
NORTH ATLANTIC
Location of disaster
RMS TITANIC
British passenger liner
ICEBERG COLLISION
Immediate cause of sinking
MORE THAN 1,500
lives lost (approx.)
BACKGROUND
Titanic was built as a large luxury passenger liner.
She departed Southampton on 10 April 1912 on her maiden voyage to New York.
On the night of 14 April, the ship encountered an iceberg.
Titanic sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912.
QUICK FACTS
15 APRIL 1912
Date of sinking
NORTH ATLANTIC
Location of disaster
RMS TITANIC
British passenger liner
ICEBERG COLLISION
Immediate cause of sinking
MORE THAN 1,500
lives lost (approx.)
BACKGROUND
Titanic was built as a large luxury passenger liner. She departed Southampton on 10 April 1912 on her maiden voyage to New York. On the night of 14 April, the ship encountered an iceberg. Titanic sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912.
TIMELINE OF INVESTIGATION
15 APRIL 1912
Titanic sinks
The Titanic Disaster becomes
an international shock.
19 APRIL - 25 MAY 1912 U.S. Senate hearings
82 witnesses testifies
during the investigation.
28 MAY 1912
U.S. Senate report
Final report issued by
the U.S. Senate.
1912
British investigation
The British Government also conducted a formal inquiry.
1985
Wreck discovered
Joint American-French expedition locates the wreck.
ICE WARNINGS
What ice warnings were received
and how
they were handled ?
SHIP'S SPEED
Titanic's speed in the ice
region was
examined ?
LIFEBOATS
Was there sufficient lifeboat
capacity and
adequate preparation ?
RADIO COMMUNICATION
How distress messages were handled and why nearby ships did not respond effectively ?
KEY EVIDENCES
SURVIVOR TESTIMONY
Witnesses gave firsthand accounts of the sinking and evacuation.
RADIO MESSAGES
Communication records helped investigators examine Titanic's distress calls and the response of other vessels.
LIFEBOAT EVIDENCE
The investigation examined the number of lifeboats, their capacity and passenger/crew procedurs.
WRECK SITE
The discovery of the wreck in 1985 allowed researchers to study the physical remains of the ship.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
The investigation did not treat the disaster as simply an iceberg hit the ship. They examined a combination of factors, including ;
- Inadequate lifeboat capacity
- Safety procedures
- Handling of ice warnings
- Ship speed
- Crew preparation
- Radio communication
- Response of nearby ships
IMPACT/ CHANGES
The titanic disaster led to major cahnges in maritime safety, including;
LIFEBOAT CAPACITY
Adequate capacity for everyone abroad become a central safety requirement.
CREW TRAINING & DRILLS
Better preparation and regular drills were recommended.
RADIO COMMUNICATION
Improved procedures for distress messages and greater reliability in maritime communication.
ICE PATROLS
Led to the creation for the International Ice Patrol and better monitoring of ice in the North Atlantic.
THE WRECK & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
THE WRECK - A SECOND INVESTIGATION
The physical wreck wasn't discovered until 1 September 1985, when the joint American-French expeditions located it.
The wreck lies about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) underwater.
NOAA later conducted scientific expeditions using remotely operated technology to study the wreck and its deterioration.
Since its discovery, researchers have used sonar, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), cameras, submersibles and detailed archaeological mapping to document the wreck and its surrounding debris field.
CURRENT STATUS
MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETED - DISASTER WELL DOCUMENTED
The basic causes and circumstances of the Titanic sinking were investigated extensively in 1912 and wreck was subsequently located and scientifically studied. While they key facts are well-established, some individual details and interpretations continue to be discussed by historians and researchers.