Lifeboats of the Titanic

Uncommon card · No. 115116

Lifeboats played a crucial role during the sinking of the Titanic on 14–15 April 1912. The ship had been supplied with 20 lifeboats that, by lifeboat capacity of that time, could accommodate 1,178 people, a little over half of the 2,207 on board the night it sank. Although the number of lifeboats was insufficient, Titanic in fact complied with maritime safety regulations at the time and even went over regulations by adding four collapsibles. The sinking highlighted that the regulations were outdated for passenger ships. Additionally, it was not anticipated that all passengers and crew would require evacuation at the same time; it was believed that Titanic could float long enough to allow a transfer of passengers and crew to a rescue vessel. During the night of the sinking, 18 lifeboats were successfully launched over 2 hours and 40 minutes. Two others were in the process of being prepared to be launched when the ship began its final plunge; Collapsible Boat A was cut free and floated off...

Read on Wikipedia · Image AnonymousUnknown author, Public domain