Through the 1997 film Titanic, we've seen the reenactments of the harrowing events that began on April 14, 1912. But still, much about the reality of that night has been left behind. The final messages of the incident are captured in a minute-by-minute narrative that unfolds the chilling night of the accident.
The story of the RMS Titanic is a tragedy within itself. Yet the story has become ingrained and told time and time again over the years since the incident occurred.
The Titanic was a luxury British steamship, similar to the cruise ships we use today. Yet, of course, many stark and obvious differences exist between the two, which likely has a lot to do with the events that unfolded.
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The ship departed for its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912. Containing 2,240 passengers and crew members, the Titanic set off on its journey from Southampton, England.
However, on the fourth day of her voyage, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Initially, the crew thought they had simply grazed the side of the iceberg. They were completely unaware of the 300-foot gash that would lead to the sinking of the ship and the loss of more than half of its passengers' lives.
Before the collision, other ships had sent weather warnings to the Titanic about icebergs in the ship's path. For whatever reason, these warnings were not enough to prevent what was to come.
The chief telegraphist, Jack Phillips, and his assistant, Harold Bride, sent out numerous distress calls. Many ships changed the course of their ventures to come to the Titanic's rescue.
“We are putting passengers off on small boats. Women and children in boats. Cannot last much longer. Losing power,” read a message among the distress calls sent out.
“SOS. SOS. CQD. CQD. We are sinking fast. Passengers are being put into boats," read another.
The final message was sent by Phillips at 2:17 a.m. on April 15, 1912. The events of that day led to 1,517 lives lost, including 1,503 passengers, according to the US committee that investigated the sinking.
