April 15: Titanic Tragedy Creates Safety

2014-04-15bOn 15 April 1912, at 2:20 a.m., the Titanic sunk into the North Atlantic Ocean. Never did she know that the voyage on this particular day would result in the Safety of Life at Sea and other treaties.

Taking nearly three years to build, the Titanic ended up being the second of three luxurious ships built by White Star Line. Considered unsinkable and thought to be the world’s fastest ship, the Titanic departed Southampton, England on 10 April 1912.

Four days later, on April 14, through wireless messages several ships had warned the Titanic about icebergs along their path. For some reason, these messages were not received and the Titanic continued to steam full speed ahead. Later that evening, at 11:40 p.m. a warning was issued that an iceberg had been sighted and an order was given to change course, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Seconds after the warning, the Titanic’s right side scraped the iceberg below the water line. Coming to the realization that the ship was taking in too much water and beginning to sink, Captain Smith ordered the lifeboats to be uncovered. Due to the shortage of lifeboats and the unprepared emergency procedures, more than 1,500 people went down in the sinking ship or froze to death in the Atlantic waters.

In 1914, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) had passed the first version of the treaty in response to the sinking of the Titanic. It prescribed lifeboat space for each person on board and required that lifeboat drills be held; safety procedures and emergency equipment would be prescribed as well. Though, due to the First World War, the 1914 treaty was never enforced.

In 1960 the International Maritime Organization (IMO), whose primary purpose is to develop and maintain safety, environmental concerns, and legal matters, achieved the 1960 version. This represented a major advancement in staying up-to-date with new technology and procedures in the industry.

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–Desiree Sheppard

Photo Caption: The New York Times front page reporting on the sinking of the Titanic.


2014-04-15Meet the Author

I am a student in my first year at Schoolcraft College and plan on transferring to Grand Valley State University next fall. I would like to major in social work and hopefully audition for the Laker Dance Team. I can be shy at first but once you get to know me I am very outgoing. Some of my interests include music, dance, movies, and helping others.

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