Titanic: Sinking the Myths

Page 3 of 6

• 1. 'Practically unsinkable'
• 2. Achilles heel
• 3. Speed
• 4. Allegations of cowardice
• 5. Captain Smith
• 6. Find out more
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Speed

These design differences meant Titanic would never be able to challenge the speed or manoeuvrability of the Cunarders, but this did not matter. White Star had given up all thought of speed records more than a decade before, in 1899, with the introduction of Oceanic, a ship given the title 'Crowning Glory of the 19th Century'. It was justly deserved, for her interiors were the finest ever created by the Belfast shipbuilder of Harland & Wolff.

'...Titanic would never be able to challenge the speed or manoeuvrability of the Cunarders...'

White Star could not afford to lavish the same expense on their new ship Titanic, which was much larger than Oceanic. Titanic, nevertheless, was a fine, well-built vessel, with large public rooms and finely-appointed suites for those travelling in first class. However, there were many other ocean liners built in Britain, France and Germany which were technically superior and had stunning interiors.

Speed plays a major part in the continuing story of Titanic. It is often said she was trying to make a record on her maiden voyage, attempting to arrive ahead of schedule in New York. Not true. Not all of Titanic's boilers had been lit and besides this she was sailing on the longer southern route across the Atlantic in order to avoid the very threat which caused her eventual loss. Even if all boilers had been lit, her maximum speed was 21 knots, a far cry from the 26 knots the Cunarders regularly recorded. Titanic did not attempt a full speed crossing because of the risk of potential engine damage, and her passengers would have been inconvenienced by arriving a day before their hotel or train bookings.

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Published: 2002-04-01