Titanic “A Social Disaster” Eric Chronister

Construction of the “Unsinkable” Construction of the Titanic began on March 31, 1909 and it was complete by May of Construction of the Titanic began on March 31, 1909 and it was complete by May of Despite popular belief, the designers of the Titanic never claimed the ship was unsinkable. Harland and Wolff, claimed that the ship’s system of watertight bulkheads “made the vessel virtually unsinkable” (Adams, S. pg 12). Despite popular belief, the designers of the Titanic never claimed the ship was unsinkable. Harland and Wolff, claimed that the ship’s system of watertight bulkheads “made the vessel virtually unsinkable” (Adams, S. pg 12). “I cannot imagine any condition which would cause a ship to founder. I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel” (Adams, S. pg 13). -Captain Smith

Titanic: Inside and Out Capacity: 3,547 passengers and crew Capacity: 3,547 passengers and crew Length: ft. Length: ft. Width: 92.5ft. Width: 92.5ft. Height: 175ft. Height: 175ft. Gross Tonnage: 21,831 tons Gross Tonnage: 21,831 tons Total Horsepower: 51,000 H.P. Total Horsepower: 51,000 H.P. Watertight Compartments: 16 Watertight Compartments: 16 Top Speed: 22.5 knots Top Speed: 22.5 knots Lifeboat Capacity: 1,178 people (16 lifeboats + 4 collapsible lifeboats) Lifeboat Capacity: 1,178 people (16 lifeboats + 4 collapsible lifeboats)

Maiden Voyage On April 10, 1912, Titanic set sail from Southampton, UK. On April 10, 1912, Titanic set sail from Southampton, UK. The Titanic sailed to Cherbourg in France and later to Queenstown in Ireland to pick up additional passengers. The Titanic sailed to Cherbourg in France and later to Queenstown in Ireland to pick up additional passengers. There were 1320 passengers and 907 crew. There were 1320 passengers and 907 crew. Titanic was to arrive in New York on April 17. Titanic was to arrive in New York on April 17.

A Deadly Collision On the night of April 14, at 11:40pm, the Titanic collided with an iceberg that would lead to the ships demise. On the night of April 14, at 11:40pm, the Titanic collided with an iceberg that would lead to the ships demise. The iceberg brushed against the ships starboard side, severely damaging the hull and crippling the ship. The iceberg brushed against the ships starboard side, severely damaging the hull and crippling the ship. All lifeboats had a capacity of 65. Lifeboat 7 was the first lifeboat to be lowered at 12:45pm with only 8 women, 10 men, and 3 crew members aboard. All lifeboats had a capacity of 65. Lifeboat 7 was the first lifeboat to be lowered at 12:45pm with only 8 women, 10 men, and 3 crew members aboard.

The Last Moments The ship was almost vertical when it snapped between the back two smokestacks. The ship was almost vertical when it snapped between the back two smokestacks. At 2:18am the Titanic was completely submerged under the Atlantic. At 2:18am the Titanic was completely submerged under the Atlantic. The ship was about 400 miles south of Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The ship was about 400 miles south of Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Titanic now rests at a depth of 12,500ft; about 1,000 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts Titanic now rests at a depth of 12,500ft; about 1,000 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts

Demographic of Passengers People on Board: 2223 First Class = 325 Second Class = 285 Third Class = 706 Crew = 885 Survived = 711 Died = 1490

Titanic as a Social Disaster Disaster - a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship. Disaster - a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship. –The Titanic definitely fits the general description of a disaster. –This disaster also displays many factors and characteristics that combine to constitute a social disaster. Goal oriented behavior Goal oriented behavior Constraints of people involved Constraints of people involved Mitigation/Preparation (or lack there of) Mitigation/Preparation (or lack there of) Evidence of myths Evidence of myths Evidence of vulnerable populations Evidence of vulnerable populations Integration into popular culture Integration into popular culture

Goal Oriented Behavior Through behavior studies, it is evident that people involved in disasters respond in goal oriented behavior. Through behavior studies, it is evident that people involved in disasters respond in goal oriented behavior. People tend to engage in a quick restructuring in their thinking regarding their situation. People tend to engage in a quick restructuring in their thinking regarding their situation. This concept holds true for the Titanic disaster. This concept holds true for the Titanic disaster. –People began to plan accordingly on how there were going to survive. –Many tried to board lifeboats; many also acquired and wore lifejackets. –Most people attempted to improve their chances of survival through any means necessary (goal oriented behavior).

Constraints of People Involved There were many different populations of people on board the Titanic. There were many different populations of people on board the Titanic. Therefore, allowing constraints to be applied to the different populations; especially when it came to boarding the lifeboats. Therefore, allowing constraints to be applied to the different populations; especially when it came to boarding the lifeboats. –Gender constraints Women and children boarded before men. Women and children boarded before men. –Socioeconomic Status The 1 st and 2 nd class passengers boarded before 3 rd class. The 1 st and 2 nd class passengers boarded before 3 rd class. –Location constraints Passengers located on the lower decks were less likely to survive, less likely to get to a lifeboat. Passengers located on the lower decks were less likely to survive, less likely to get to a lifeboat. –Responsibility Crew, having responsibilities, were less likely to respond in fear/panic. Crew, having responsibilities, were less likely to respond in fear/panic.

Mitigation/Preparation (Or lack there of) Evidence of Mitigation: Availability of lifejackets and lifeboats (total lifeboat capacity was about ½ of the total passengers). Evidence of Mitigation: Availability of lifejackets and lifeboats (total lifeboat capacity was about ½ of the total passengers). Preparation: “includes action taken before the impact of a hazard” (Herring, A, Disaster Phases). Preparation: “includes action taken before the impact of a hazard” (Herring, A, Disaster Phases). –Passengers did not know of the impending disaster, therefore never had time to prepare. –Passengers could only react to the impending disaster, not prepare.

Evidence of Myths Panic – This myth was just that, a myth. Until the very last minutes and seconds of the ship sinking, people did not panic. Panic – This myth was just that, a myth. Until the very last minutes and seconds of the ship sinking, people did not panic. –People began to calmly gather on deck and gravitate towards the life boats. –People followed the lead and directions of crew members since most passengers did not know of the impending fait of the ship. –When people got word of the ship sinking, panic did not ensue. People’s urgency simply multiplied but panic was not evident until all survival options were gone. Evacuation Behavior – Many people were reluctant to leave their cabins’. Unlike the myth that states people will evacuate to safety, in this case a lifeboat. Evacuation Behavior – Many people were reluctant to leave their cabins’. Unlike the myth that states people will evacuate to safety, in this case a lifeboat.

Evidence of Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable Population during Titanic disaster: Vulnerable Population during Titanic disaster: –Elderly –Children –Men –3 rd Class Passengers The men and 3 rd class passenger populations were vulnerable during the titanic disaster because of the guidelines set as to who was aloud to board the lifeboats. They were last to board, if there was any room. The men and 3 rd class passenger populations were vulnerable during the titanic disaster because of the guidelines set as to who was aloud to board the lifeboats. They were last to board, if there was any room. The elderly and child populations were vulnerable due to the weather conditions. It was a clear, cold night and the elderly and children are most susceptible to cold weather conditions. The elderly and child populations were vulnerable due to the weather conditions. It was a clear, cold night and the elderly and children are most susceptible to cold weather conditions.

Integration into Popular Culture In 1997, the movie “Titanic” was released. In 1997, the movie “Titanic” was released. It is the second highest grossing movie of all time ($1,843,201,268). It is the second highest grossing movie of all time ($1,843,201,268). The movie was an enormous success, with it’s accurate portrayal of events and it’s attractive love duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The movie was an enormous success, with it’s accurate portrayal of events and it’s attractive love duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Conclusion The Titanic was the largest passenger ship of it’s time. Equipped with the finest luxuries and deemed ‘virtually unsinkable’. The Titanic was the largest passenger ship of it’s time. Equipped with the finest luxuries and deemed ‘virtually unsinkable’. The Titanic is, without a doubt, a social disaster. The Titanic is, without a doubt, a social disaster. The sinking of the Titanic is one of the largest non-war, maritime related disasters in history. The sinking of the Titanic is one of the largest non-war, maritime related disasters in history. It still resonates with the general population, today, as one of the greatest tragedies to ever occur. It still resonates with the general population, today, as one of the greatest tragedies to ever occur.