Black & white photo of people boarding the Titanic

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Ship of Doom

It’s been more than 100 years since the Titanic sank. Why are we still fascinated by it? 

As You Read, Think About: Why might people still be so interested in the Titanic?

On April 10, 1912, thousands of people gathered at a dock in Southampton, England. They’d come to see the largest ship in the world, the RMS Titanic, set sail on its first voyage. The massive ship spanned the length of four city blocks and was taller than most buildings at the time. The Titanic was expected to arrive in New York City about a week later.

But it never got there. Shortly before midnight on April 14, the Titanic crashed into an iceberg. The mountain of ice tore open the right side of the ship. Seawater began gushing in. In less than three hours, the Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Of the more than 2,200 people on board, only about 705 survived. 

More than a century later, the tragic story of the Titanic continues to fascinate everyone from kids to historians. 

“No matter who you are, what your age is or your interests, there’s something about the Titanic story that pushes one of your buttons,” explorer Robert Ballard told Scholastic News in 2012. He’s the explorer who discovered the Titanic shipwreck 73 years after it went down. 

It was April 10, 1912. Thousands of people gathered at a dock in Southampton, England. They’d come to see the largest ship in the world. It was called the RMS Titanic. The ship was about to set sail on its first voyage. The massive ship spanned the length of four city blocks. It was also taller than most buildings at the time. The Titanic was expected to arrive in New York City about a week later.

But it never got there. Shortly before midnight on April 14, the Titanic crashed into an iceberg. The mountain of ice tore open the right side of the ship. Seawater began gushing in. In less than three hours, the Titanic sank. Of the more than 2,200 people on board, only about 705 survived. 

More than a century has passed. But the tragic story of the Titanic continues to fascinate everyone from kids to historians. 

“No matter who you are, what your age is or your interests, there’s something about the Titanic story that pushes one of your buttons,” explorer Robert Ballard told Scholastic News in 2012. He discovered the Titanic shipwreck 73 years after it went down. 

Roger Viollet via Getty Images 

The Titanic’s Journey

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

1. April 10, 1912: The Titanic sets sail from Southampton on its first voyage. About 1,800 people are on board.

2. April 10: The ship stops in France to pick up about 270 more passengers.

3. April 11: The ship stops in Ireland. About 120 more people board.

4. April 14: The Titanic hits an iceberg. The ship sinks, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew members.

1. April 10, 1912: The Titanic sets sail from Southampton on its first voyage. About 1,800 people are on board.

2. April 10: The ship stops in France to pick up about 270 more passengers.

3. April 11: The ship stops in Ireland. About 120 more people board.

4. April 14: The Titanic hits an iceberg. The ship sinks, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew members.

Luxury at Sea

The Titanic made headlines even before it set sail. At the time, it was celebrated as the biggest, most luxurious ship in the world. The Titanic was also believed to be the safest ship ever built. 

People from all walks of life wanted to be among the first passengers on the Titanic. Immigrants eager for a new life in America packed into the lower decks. Meanwhile, first-class passengers traveled in luxury. Some of the world’s richest business leaders were among them. In the days before TV and major Hollywood movies, these millionaires were big celebrities.

“And they went down on that ship,” explained Ballard. 

The Titanic made headlines even before it set sail. It was celebrated as the biggest, most luxurious ship in the world. The Titanic was also believed to be the safest ship ever built. 

People from all walks of life wanted to be among its first passengers. Immigrants eager for a new life in America packed into the lower decks. Meanwhile, first-class passengers traveled in luxury. Some of the world’s richest business leaders were among them. These were the days before TV and major Hollywood movies. Millionaires were the big celebrities.

“And they went down on that ship,” explained Ballard. 

Final Resting Place

News of the Titanic’s demise stunned the world. For decades, the resting place of the ship remained a mystery. Finally, on September 1, 1985, Ballard and his team of explorers located the shipwreck. It was about 1,250 miles off the coast of New York and more than 2 miles under the sea.

The discovery sparked a whole new fascination with the Titanic. Since then, about 250 scientists and adventurers have taken expeditions to the wreckage. They make the voyage in small underwater vehicles called submersibles. Sadly, a new chapter was added to the Titanic tragedy last June. Five people died on their way to see the shipwreck.  

News of the Titanic’s demise stunned the world. The resting place of the ship remained a mystery for decades Then Ballard and his team of explorers located the shipwreck. That was on September 1, 1985. The wreck was about 1,250 miles off the coast of New York. And it was more than 2 miles under the sea.

The discovery sparked a new fascination with the Titanic. Since then, about 250 scientists and adventurers have taken expeditions to the wreckage. They make the voyage in small underwater vehicles. Those are called submersibles. Sadly, a new chapter was added to the Titanic tragedy last June. Five people died on their way to see the shipwreck.  

The Story Lives On

With each passing year, interest in the Titanic seems only to grow. The story of the doomed ship continues to be told in books and movies and on websites. It’s one of the most studied, discussed, and written-about disasters in history. 

“The story of Titanic is always rediscovered by every generation,” Ballard said.

Interest in the Titanic seems to grow every year. The story of the doomed ship is still told in books and movies. Many websites also focus on the ship’s sinking. It’s one of the most studied, discussed, and written-about disasters in history. 

“The story of Titanic is always rediscovered by every generation,” Ballard said.

A Ship’s Stories

Interviews with people who sailed on the Titanic give us a glimpse into what happened during the doomed ship’s first voyage.

Interviews with people who sailed on the Titanic give us a glimpse into what happened during the doomed ship’s first voyage.

ullstein bild via Getty Images; Shutterstock.com (paper)

“The Olympic is unsinkable, and the Titanic will be the same.”

—Captain Edward Smith, comparing the Titanic to its sister ship before setting sail. Smith went down with the ship.

“The Olympic is unsinkable, and the Titanic will be the same.”

—Captain Edward Smith, comparing the Titanic to its sister ship before setting sail. Smith went down with the ship.

Haldridge / Bournemouth News / Shutterstock; Shutterstock.com (paper)

“Striking the water was like a thousand knives being driven into one’s body.” 

—Second Officer Charles Lightoller, who saved dozens of people by helping them into lifeboats before he was rescued.

“Striking the water was like a thousand knives being driven into one’s body.” 

—Second Officer Charles Lightoller, who saved dozens of people by helping them into lifeboats before he was rescued.

National Portrait Gallery London; Shutterstock.com (paper)

“We all thought there were plenty of boats, little knowing there were only 16.” 

—Countess Nöel Leslie, a passenger who helped steer the lifeboat in which she escaped. Sadly, there were not enough lifeboats to save everyone.

“We all thought there were plenty of boats, little knowing there were only 16.” 

—Countess Nöel Leslie, a passenger who helped steer the lifeboat in which she escaped. Sadly, there were not enough lifeboats to save everyone.

  1. Based on the article, why did the Titanic make headlines even before it set sail? 
  2. What details in the article help you understand why the Titanic’s final resting place was a mystery for many years? 
  3. What do you think Robert Ballard meant when he said, “No matter who you are . . . there’s something about the Titanic story that pushes one of your buttons”?
  1. Based on the article, why did the Titanic make headlines even before it set sail? 
  2. What details in the article help you understand why the Titanic’s final resting place was a mystery for many years? 
  3. What do you think Robert Ballard meant when he said, “No matter who you are . . . there’s something about the Titanic story that pushes one of your buttons”?
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