The Titanic was not just a ship, it was more that that. It was a symbol of the Edwardian age’s wealth, lavish tastes, and engineering skill. But the liner’s collision with an iceberg on 14 April in the North Atlantic and loss of more than 1,500 lives marked the end of a period. Still, 108 years on, the story of the Titanic is always captivating.
Creation of a legend
During a golden age of sea travel, The Titanic was created. Immigrants to the New World and wealthy passengers in the early twentieth century was increasing. The White Star Line had first set out plans for the Titanic in 1907. Other firms, like Cunard, already had successful passenger ships like the RMS Lusitania and the RMS Mauretania, and the Titanic had been built to compete with these sea stars.
Building the Titanic
It took four years from 1909. At the time, costs were lavish-about £ 1.5 million ($7.4 million) in total, about £147 million ($192 million) in today’s money. From the start, the Titanic was designed to be unsinkable and considered one of the safest on-float ships.
Facilities on the Titanic
However, those on board were likely to have been unaware of the jaw-dropping interior of the ship. Here are few of its specifications :
Services:
- First-class passengers had access to a heated saltwater swimming pool; now, it’s normal but rarely found at that time.
- Another exclusive first-class facility was the Turkish bath, with a steam room, a shampoo room.
- First-class passenger services also included a smoking room with stained-glass windows.
- Space for reading and writing was intended for female passengers to retire after dinner
First-class dining
- Specifically, this position was chosen to ensure continuous dining in the smooth, central part of the ship.
- Each evening, first-class passengers were given a luxurious food option with a range of fine wines to complement the meal.
Stay fit
- While those in first class, the lavish food was all part of the experience, health and well-being were also taken care of.
- The gymnasium provided cycling machines, a camel and electric horse, and a rowing machine helping the passengers burn off those calories.
Turkish baths
- Turkish baths at the period were famous for being one of the most luxurious things. First-class passengers were able to visit the Moorish-inspired suite for 1 dollar a day.
- The facilities included a steam room, a hot room, a cooling room, a temperate room, and an exciting innovation, electric beds that use lamps to heat the body.
Winding up
Unfortunately, the Titanic collided with an iceberg at 11:40 pm on 14 April, causing water to rush to the lower levels. With only 1178 lifeboat seats for some 2200 passengers, tragedy was inevitable at this stage, and only about 700 of the people on board survived.
