RMS Titanic History

Because it actually existed for such a short period of time - being destroyed on its maiden voyage - there are many misconceptions about the Titanic. People really do not have a clear understanding of the RMS Titanic history.

First of all, when it comes to the RMS Titanic history, the luxury liner itself actually was built in an Irish shipyard. The Titanic was commissioned and owned by the White Star Line. By the time the Titanic took to sea, the White Star Line actually was owned by industrialist and financier J.P. Morgan.

Of course, the Titanic was best known for carrying a multitude of well known, wealthy passengers on its ill fated voyage. However, that was not the only purpose for which the ship was constructed. In fact, according to RMY Titanic history, the ship bears the "RMS" moniker because it was designated to carry British mail. Hence, the complete name of the ship which is Royal Mail Ship Titanic.

Beyond carrying mail and passengers, the Titanic also was commissioned to carry cargo, particularly frozen meat to Europe from other ports of call because Europe could not produce enough livestock at that time to satisfy its consumption needs. Although the ship technically ultimately was owned by American J.P. Morgan, through his interest in the White Star Line, the ship flew a British flag and was operated and manned by British subjects.

Most people do not realize that the Titanic had two sister ships (ships built from the same set of designs and at approximately the same time). The sister ships to the Titanic were the Olympic and the Britannic. The Olympic actually set sail before the Titanic. The Britannic took to the seas after the Titanic disaster, extensively modified in light of the Titanic wreck (including a reconfiguration of the lifeboat scheme on the craft).

In fact, although intended to be used rather like the Titanic, the Britannic never actually saw commercial service. It was constricted into military by the British government during World War I and was used as a hospital ship. The Britannic ended up being sunk in hostile conflict off the shores of the Greek Islands during the war. (The Britannic initially was to be called the Gigantic; the name was changed following the Titanic disaster.)

Following the wreck of the Titanic, a great deal of attention in the media and in common lore has resulted in the phrase "the unsinkable Titanic" being bandied about. However, when one looks at RMS Titanic history, it becomes clear that prior to the disaster the Titanic was never referred to as unsinkable. The phrase "practically unsinkable" was used in common parlance at the time to refer not only to the Titanic but to ships of similar design.