The sinking of the RMS Titanic, April 14-15 1912 — from the iceberg warnings to the arrival of the Carpathia.
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Titanic 11
1912Titanic departs SouthamptonMaiden voyage begins — April 10, 1912The RMS Titanic departed Southampton on her maiden voyage at noon on April 10, 1912, bound for New York City. She carried 2,224 passengers and crew, including some of the wealthiest people in the world.
1912Iceberg spottedLookout Fleet rings the alarm — 11:40 PMLookout Frederick Fleet spotted an iceberg directly ahead and rang the warning bell three times, calling the bridge: "Iceberg, right ahead!" Officer Murdoch immediately ordered "hard a-starboard" and full astern.
1912Iceberg warnings receivedMultiple ships warn of ice ahead — 9:00 AMThe Titanic received multiple ice warnings throughout April 14 from other ships in the area. Captain Smith chose to maintain full speed of 22 knots despite the warnings, a decision that would prove fatal.
1912Titanic strikes the icebergStarboard side torn open — 11:50 PMThe Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 PM, scraping along its starboard side for about 10 seconds. The collision buckled and separated hull plates across six compartments. The ship could float with four flooded — she had five.
1912Carpathia arrivesSurvivors rescued from lifeboats — 4:00 AMThe RMS Carpathia arrived at the scene at 4:00 AM, 1 hour and 40 minutes after the Titanic sank. She rescued 710 survivors from the lifeboats over the next four hours before sailing to New York.
1912Carpathia picks up distress signalSS Carpathia turns and races to help — 12:25 AMThe RMS Carpathia received the Titanic's CQD distress call at 12:25 AM and immediately turned around, pushing her engines beyond their limits to reach the stricken liner 58 miles away.
1912First lifeboat launchedLifeboat 7 leaves with only 28 people — 12:45 AMThe first lifeboat, Lifeboat 7, was launched at 12:45 AM carrying only 28 people — less than half its capacity of 65. Many passengers refused to believe the ship was sinking and declined to board. Distress rockets were fired.
1912Last lifeboat departsOver 1,500 people left aboard — 2:05 AMThe last collapsible lifeboat left the Titanic at 2:05 AM with over 1,500 people still aboard. The ship's bow was now fully submerged and the stern was rising out of the water. The band played on.
1912Last radio message sent"Every man for himself" — 2:17 AMThe final radio message was transmitted at 2:17 AM: "Every man for himself." Radio operator Jack Phillips continued sending until the power failed. He did not survive.
1912Lifeboats ordered uncoveredCaptain Smith assesses the damage — 12:05 AMCaptain Smith ordered the lifeboats uncovered and passengers mustered at 12:05 AM, after ship designer Thomas Andrews told him the Titanic had at most two hours to live. There were lifeboats for only 1,178 of the 2,224 aboard.
1912Titanic sinks1,500 lives lostRMS Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912 and sank, killing over 1,500 passengers in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters.