Titanic: Commotion in the Ocean

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the theories that explain why the RMS Titanic sank on her maiden voyage. It focuses on the design flaws of the ship, the inferior steel that was used in its building, the speed that the ship was traveling when it hit the iceberg and the overconfidence and negligence of both builders and crew. It combines all of these issues to explain how the disaster could have occurred.

From the Paper:

"The Titanic disaster was one of the most catastrophic events in the history of travel on the seas. Some ministers preached that the disaster was actually a godsend in disguise, compelling people to abandon their self-absorption, and punishing them for their reliance on technological progress. (Lord 113) Not only did the tragedy mark the end of a universal sense of security, but it was also a turning point in the implementation of additional safety measures. The International Ice Patrol and Coast Guards now closely monitor meandering icebergs to keep them clear of the steamer lanes, and every liner must have sufficient lifeboats for all boarding passengers. (Lord 104) Never again will mankind invest its trust in a few thousand tons of steel and rivets. Like the author Michael Harrington states in his novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, "If there is technological advance without social advance, there is, almost automatically, an increase in human misery, in impoverishment." The saga of the Titanic is a classic example of technological failure causing profound death and destruction."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arnold, Gary. "That Night." 1996. <http: //www.ilap.com/~garnold/night.htm> (15 Dec. 1998).
• Baldwin, Hanson. Sea Flight And Shipwrecks: The True Tales of the Seven Seas. New York: Hanover House, 1956.
• "Barely Unsinkable." Titanic Information Sight. <http: //www.skarr.com/ titanic/ report.shtml> (2 Jan. 1999).
• "Information Facts." Titanic Information Sight. <http: //www.skarr.com/titanic/facts.shtml (2 Jan. 1999).
• Lord, Walter. A Night To Remember. New York: Bantam Books, 1955.

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