Tag Archives: maiden voyage

SS United States’ Maiden Voyage 60th Anniversary

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SS United States leaving New York City on July 3, 1952

On July 3, 1952, the SS United States began its maiden voyage. The vessel departed from the United States Lines’ Pier 86 in New York City with Captain Harry Manning at the helm. There were rumors that the SS United States would go after the Transatlantic crossing record set by the RMS Queen Mary. It was no secret that the SS United States was fast, but it was not know just how quickly the vessel would go on its Maiden Voyage. When the SS United States arrived in England, it had successfully broken the record held for 14 years by the Queen Mary by over 10 hours. The SS United States completed the crossing in a record breaking 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes with an average speed of 35.59 knots.

On the return voyage, the SS Untied States did it again, breaking the westbound crossing record when it arrived in New York in 3 days, 12 hours, and 12 minutes. The SS United States claimed the Blue Riband for the United States, a prize not held by a United States vessel since the SS Baltic, nearly one hundred years earlier. To this day, the westbound crossing record of the SS United States stands unbroken.

This was only the beginning of an illustrious career for the SS Untied States. It would go on to make 400 Transatlantic crossings before being retired in 1969.

SS United States returns to New York City after capturing the Blue Ribbon

Today, the SS United States Conservancy is working to save the SS United States. You can get the latest SS United States news and find out how you can help save the famous vessel by visiting the Conservancy’s website or by following them on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Titanic: 100 Years: Final Thoughts

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Titanic’s Lifeboats in New York Harbor

After leaving the site of the sinking of the Titanic, the Carpathia carried the 705 survivors to New York. They arrived on April 18, 1912. Immediately following their return, an inquiry was held in the United States.  The US Inquiry lasted from April 19 – May 25.  At the same time, a British Inquiry into the sinking was held from May 2 – July 3.  It was determined that the ship was traveling too quickly, ignored several important ice warnings, and was not carrying enough lifeboats for the passengers and crew.  White Star Line owner, Bruce Ismay, was criticized for being among the survivors of the sinking.  It was also determined that the Californian was in the area of the sinking, but the wireless operator had gone to bed after being told to “Shut-up” by the wireless operators on the Titanic.

The loss of life was 1,517.  The fact that the ship did not carry an adequate number of lifeboats for all on board was to blame. There are a number of other contributing factors including: weak steel, calm sea, lack of moon light, the loss of the lookouts’ binoculars, the water-tight bulkheads only extending to E-Deck, and the lack of lifeboats. The important thing to understand, however, with all these weaknesses, the ship met every safety standard of the day. The sinking of the Titanic led to the creation of the Ice Patrol and changes in passenger liner regulations.  The Titanic disaster is the greatest ever recorded in peace time and could have been prevented had the regulations for passenger liners been tougher.

Today, the Titanic is resting on the ocean floor, slowly decomposing. The site is a grave site and should be left alone. Dr. Robert Ballard has repeatedly presented his arguments for leaving the Titanic alone, and I could not agree more. It is a sacred site and should be left alone. RMS Titanic, Inc. has opened the Titanic to salvagers and I refuse to visit any of their sponsored events or exhibits. Leave the wreck alone and allow those who parished on that April night rest in peace.

Titanic: 100 Years: Titanic Sinks

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Newspapers quickly spread the news of the sinking

This post picks up the timeline of the sinking of the Titanic, one hundred years ago today (and early tomorrow, April 15).  Here is the timeline (in local time):

12:00 AM – Captain Edward J. Smith gives the orders to call for help over the raido

12:05 AM – Captain Smith order the lifeboats be prepared for the passengers, knowing full well there would not be enough for everyone aboard

12:25 AM – Lifeboats loading begins, women and children only

12:25 AM – Carpathia responds to distress calls, but is 58 miles from the scene

12:45 AM – The first lifeboat is lowered from the ship

2:05 AM – The final lifeboat is lowered from the ship

2:17 AM – Last distress call is sent

2:20 AM – Titanic splits between the third and fourth funnels and sinks

3:30 AM – Carpathia‘s rockets are spotted by the survivors

Titnaic’s survivors reach the Carpathia

4:10 AM – First lifeboat reaches Carpathia

8:50 AM – Carpathia leaves the area for New York City

Titanic: 100 Years: Titanic Hits an Iceberg

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One hundred years ago today, the unsinkable Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic on its maiden voyage.  What happended over the next two and a half hours has been retold countless times. Here is a timeline of the evening (local time):

11:40 PM – Titanic strikes an iceberg at latitude 41-46N, longitude 50-14W

11:50 PM – Inspections show 14 feet of water in the forward sections of the ship

To be continued…

Titanic: 100 Years: Titanic Hits the Open Water

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The final photo taken of the Titanic, leaving Ireland – never to see land again

Today, one hundred years ago, April 11, 1912, Titanic continued its maiden voyage.  After stopping in Cobh (Queenstown), Ireland at 11:30 AM (local time), the Titanic hit the open sea.  The Titanic experienced smooth sailing for the next several days.

Titanic: 100 Years: Maiden Voyage Begins

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Titanic docked in Southampton

On this day, one hundred years ago, April 10, 1912, the Titanic sat in Southampton, England preparing for her maiden voyage.  Here is a timeline of the day (local time):

9:30-11:00 AM – Passengers arrive and board Titnaic

12:00 PM – Titanic leaves Southampton, having a near collision leaving the harbor

6:30 PM – Titanic arrives in Cherbourg, France to take on more passengers

SS United States’ Maiden Voyage

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SS United States arrives in New York after breaking the Trans-Atlantic crossing record for both East and Westbound crossings!

Today marks t he 59th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the SS United States.  On July 3, 1952, the SS United States left New York for England with only one goal….beat the Queen Mary’s crossing record.  The SS United States crushed the Queen Mary‘s record, beating her by over 10 hours.  On the return voyage to New York, the SS United States broke the record yet again for Eastbound crossing, again set by the Queen Mary.  For the first time in 100 years, an American flag ship held the Blue Riband.  The Westbound record of the SS United States stands to this day!

Today the SS United States sits in Philadelphia, its fate unknown.  The SS United States Conservancy, however, is working to find a permanent home for the ship.  I am proud to be working for the Conservancy to save America’s flag ship.  Since May, I have been working to revitalize the Conservancy’s social media efforts.  You may join me by Liking the Facebook page and following the Conservancy on Twitter.