Titanic Timeline of Events
Setting Sail to the Last Goodbye
April 2, 1912, 8pm
The crew of Titanic participates in sea trials before leaving Belfast, where the Ship was built, for Southampton.
April 10, 1912, 6am
Just after sunrise the first members of the crew began to board Titanic. All of the officers except Captain Smith had already spent the night on board. Captain Smith arrived later that morning around 7:30.
April 10, 1912, 12pm
Titanic starts maiden voyage, leaving Southampton and ventures to Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland (this is the official sailing date for the Ship).
April 11, 1912, 1:30pm
Titanic raises anchor for the last time and leaves Queenstown.
April 14, 1912, Morning
Lifeboat drills were neglected after church services, although the crew has to complete the procedure
April 14, 1912, 10:55pm
Californian, completely surrounded by ice, stops for the evening and warns the Titanic of the impending danger
April 14, 1912, 11:40pm
- Frederick Fleet sights an iceberg.
- First Officer Murdoch gives the “hard a-starboard” order while having the engines stopped and reversed; activates lever that closes watertight doors.
- The Ship, traveling at approximately 20 knots (26 mph), turned slightly to the left, avoiding a head-on collision. Below the water the iceberg punctures the hull.
- Five, possibly six of the Titanic’s watertight compartments flood.
April 15, 1912, 12:15am:
- Captain Smith assesses the damage.
- He orders his telegraph operators to send the distress signal, “CDQ,” after estimating the ship will remain afloat for two hours.
- He gives the order to uncover the lifeboats and evacuate the women and children.
April 15, 1912, 12:45am
First lifeboat leaves the Ship with only 19 aboard, although it could carry 65.
April 15, 1912, 2:05am
Titanic’s bow begins sinking as the last of the lifeboats are lowered into the water. An estimated 1,500 people were left stranded on the sinking boat
April 15, 1912, 2:20am
Titanic sinks.
