Did you know that the R.M.S. Titanic was a Royal Mail Ship? In other words, a designation which meant that the Titanic was officially responsible for delivering mail for the British postal service? That’s right, on-board there was actually a Sea Post Office, complete with five mail clerks. Continue reading to see a gallery of magnificent and rare images of the R.M.S. Titanic.
5 Interesting RMS Titanic facts:
- Originally, a lifeboat drill was scheduled to take place on board the Titanic on April 14, 1912 – the day the Titanic hit the iceberg. However, for an unknown reason, Captain Smith canceled the drill. Many believe that had the drill taken place, more lives could have been saved.
- From the time the lookouts sounded the alert, the officers on the bridge had only 37 seconds to react before the Titanic hit the iceberg. In that time, First Officer Murdoch ordered “hard a-starboard” (which turned the ship to port — left). He also ordered the engine room to put the engines in reverse. The Titanic did bank left, but it wasn’t quite enough.
- The Titanic seemed to have everything on board, including its own newspaper. The Atlantic Daily Bulletin was printed every day on board the Titanic. The newspaper included news, advertisements, stock prices, horse-racing results, society gossip, and the day’s menu.
- Although most passengers had to share bathrooms (only the two promenade suites in first class had private bathrooms), third class had it rough with only two bathtubs for more than 700 passengers.
- In what is now an iconic image, the side view of the Titanic clearly shows four cream and black funnels. While three of these released the steam from the boilers, the fourth was just for show. The designers thought the ship would look more impressive with four funnels rather than three.
