A Titanic Timeline Trivia Quiz

The RMS Titanic arrived in Southampton, England, on April 3, 1912. It was the starting point of the Titanic's maiden voyage to New York City. The ship had been constructed in the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and its arrival in Southampton marked an exciting moment for the crew and passengers, who were eager to embark on their journey.

The ship generated significant attention and excitement among locals, as it was the largest and most advanced of its time. Its arrival also marked the beginning of a tragic and historic chapter, as the ship's ill-fated voyage would end in a devastating disaster just a few days later.

After departing Southampton, the RMS Titanic made a stop in Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912. Cherbourg served as a port of call where additional passengers boarded the ship. The city was an important transatlantic hub, and many passengers eagerly awaited the arrival of the Titanic to continue their journey to New York City.

The ship docked at the Cherbourg harbor, and a tender boat ferried passengers from the shore to the Titanic. This brief stop allowed new passengers to join the already bustling atmosphere aboard the ship. Little did they know that their voyage would soon take an unexpected turn.

On the night of April 14, 1912, the SS Mesaba, a ship operated by the Leyland Line, transmitted a wireless message to the RMS Titanic, warning them about the presence of icebergs in the vicinity. The Mesaba had encountered the hazards and relayed their coordinates to the Titanic's wireless operators. Despite the crucial warning, the message was not given sufficient attention by the Titanic's crew, mostly because they were busy handling the overwhelming volume of passenger messages.

The Titanic's captain, Edward Smith, chose not to reduce the ship's speed despite a number of iceberg warnings from a number of ships. The message from the Mesaba serves as a haunting reminder of a missed opportunity to potentially avert the disaster.

The fateful collision occurred at around 11:40 PM. Though many people imagine the Titanic hitting the iceberg head-on, this was not the case. As the ship's lookouts spotted the iceberg ahead, the crew immediately took action by attempting to steer the ship away and reducing its speed.

However, the Titanic's massive size and its speed made it impossible to avoid a direct impact. The iceberg scraped along the starboard side of the ship, causing extensive damage to its hull beneath the waterline. The collision created a series of punctures and openings that allowed water to flood into the compartments, leading to the eventual sinking of the vessel.

Amidst the chaos and panic that ensued after the Titanic struck the iceberg, the first lifeboat to escape from the doomed ship was launched. It was Lifeboat 7, which was lowered into the water at approximately 12:45 AM on April 15, 1912. The lifeboat had a capacity to hold around 65 people, but it left with only 28 occupants, including some women and children.

Despite the urgent need to rescue as many people as possible, Lifeboat 7 departed with a significantly lower number of passengers due to hesitations and fears among those on board and misunderstandings regarding the evacuation process. As the lifeboat rowed away from the sinking Titanic, the occupants witnessed the immense tragedy unfolding before their eyes, with the sounds of distress and screams echoing across the dark, icy waters.

During the chaotic evacuation of the Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line, controversially boarded a lifeboat. Ismay was one of the most high-profile passengers on board and his decision to leave the sinking ship attracted significant criticism.

Many viewed Ismay's action as a betrayal of his duty as a leader and a disregard for the principle of "women and children first." Some argued that his presence on a lifeboat meant that another passenger, potentially a woman or child, was denied a place of safety. Ismay's actions were widely criticized in the media and by survivors, who saw it as an act of self-preservation over prioritizing the safety of others.

Captain Edward Smith, the captain of the RMS Titanic, left behind a complex legacy following the tragic sinking of the ship. As the highest-ranking officer on board, he was ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of the passengers and crew. Smith was highly regarded for his extensive experience at sea and his reputation as a skilled captain. However, his decision-making during the Titanic's fateful voyage has drawn criticism. Some argue that he did not take sufficient precautions despite receiving iceberg warnings. Smith's leadership and response during the evacuation have been a subject of debate. While he worked to organize the evacuation and prioritize women and children, the limited number of lifeboats and the lack of a clear evacuation plan resulted in a significant loss of life.

While some historians have debated him having truly said the infamous words, there are multiple accounts of the captain having released his crew with varying versions of, "It's every man for himself."

The immense strain placed on the ship's structure by the flooding compartments and the weight of water caused the Titanic to crack at the point of greatest stress. The break occurred near the forward grand staircase, splitting the ship into two major (though not completely symmetrical) sections. The stern, filled with water, began to sink deeper into the ocean, while the bow section tilted upwards.

Interestingly, many historians didn't believe that the Titanic had broken in half before sinking--that is until 1985, when the wreck was found at the bottom of the ocean floor. Survivor accounts of the ship breaking in two were thought to be exaggeration.

Due to the structural damage and flooding, the stern gradually tilted upwards, creating a dramatic and unsettling sight. As the water rushed into the ship, the increasing weight caused the stern to rise higher out of the water. This ascent became increasingly vertical, seemingly defying the laws of physics and causing immense strain on the remaining intact portions of the ship. Eventually, the stern reached a near-vertical position before plunging into the icy depths of the North Atlantic.

As it reached the bottom of the ocean, it landed about 600 meters from the bow, which had sunk previously.

In the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, the RMS Carpathia arrived at the scene where the Titanic had tragically sunk. The Carpathia, a Cunard Line passenger ship, responded to the Titanic's distress calls and raced to the location to provide aid and rescue survivors.

Upon arrival, the Carpathia encountered a devastating sight - debris and lifeboats scattered across the frigid waters. The crew of the Carpathia launched their own lifeboats to rescue the survivors, pulling them from the freezing ocean and offering warmth and comfort. The arrival of the Carpathia brought a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.