The Titanic disaster is one of the most tragic and well-known maritime events in history. The RMS Titanic was a British luxury liner and the largest, most opulent passenger ship of its time. Launched by the White Star Line, it set out on its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912, from Southampton, England, heading to New York City.

The ship carried approximately 2,224 people, ranging from wealthy elites to emigrants seeking a new life. It represented early 20th-century optimism, with advanced technology, luxurious amenities, and the belief it was "unsinkable" due to its innovative safety features.

However, on April 14, 1912, four days into its journey, Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, damaging five of its sixteen watertight compartments. Designed to stay afloat with up to four compartments flooded, the ship couldn’t withstand the extent of the damage. As it began to sink, panic ensued, worsened by a shortage of lifeboats. Outdated maritime laws had permitted only 20 lifeboats, enough for about half of those aboard. Many lifeboats were launched partially full, adding to the tragedy.

In the early hours of April 15, Titanic broke in half and disappeared into the icy waters, roughly 400 miles south of Newfoundland. More than 1,500 lives were lost, with only about 710 survivors, rescued later by the RMS Carpathia.

The disaster shocked the world, leading to sweeping maritime safety reforms, including the creation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) in 1914. Titanic’s story has become a symbol of human ambition and vulnerability, inspiring books, films, and memorials that honor its legacy and serve as a reminder of the limits of technology.