Changes

==The sinking==

==The sinking==

A later investigation showed that the ship had failed to follow prudent safety procedures. Besides traveling through dangerous waters at high speed<ref>One documentary argues that the ''Titanic'' was speeding due to an out-of-control coal fire, requiring the coal to be used quickly; the concern was that the ''Titanic'' would run out of fuel before reaching New York, which would be an embarrassment to a company already having financial problems.</ref> (after receiving repeated warnings concerning the presence of icebergs), the Titanic also had aboard an insufficient number of lifeboats for the passengers and crew.  While not having enough lifeboats for all the passengers seems criminally irresponsible today (and would in fact be criminal by today's regulations) ''this was not a requirement in 1912.''  The prevailing theory at the time was that the lifeboats would ferry passengers to a nearby rescue ship and then come back to pick up more people.  This might have worked if not for the fact that the Titanic sank unusually quickly, and that the ''Californian'', which was in range to effect a rescue, was not listening to its radio.  Subsequent reforms include providing adequate numbers of lifeboats, and that radio operators on all ships monitor the airwaves constantly.   

A later investigation showed that the ship had failed to follow prudent safety procedures. Besides traveling through dangerous waters at high speed<ref>One documentary argues that the ''Titanic'' was speeding due to an out-of-control coal fire, requiring the coal to be used quickly; the concern was that the ''Titanic'' would run out of fuel before reaching New York, which would be an embarrassment to a company already having financial problems.</ref> (after receiving repeated warnings concerning the presence of icebergs), the ''Titanic'' also had aboard an insufficient number of lifeboats for the passengers and crew.  While not having enough lifeboats for all the passengers seems criminally irresponsible today (and would in fact be criminal by today's regulations) ''this was not a requirement in 1912.''  The prevailing theory at the time was that the lifeboats would ferry passengers to a nearby rescue ship and then come back to pick up more people.  This might have worked if not for the fact that the ''Titanic'' sank unusually quickly, and that the ''Californian'', which was in range to effect a rescue, was not listening to its radio.  Subsequent reforms include providing adequate numbers of lifeboats, and that radio operators on all ships monitor the airwaves constantly.   

On April 14, the Titanic's wireless operators received seven iceberg warnings, but the ship continued sailing through the North Atlantic at 23 knots. Conditions were clear and the water was calm, which should have helped the lookouts spot an iceberg well in advance.<ref>http://www.historyonthenet.com/Titanic/titanic_timeline.htm</ref>

On April 14, the ''Titanic'''s wireless operators received seven iceberg warnings, but the ship continued sailing through the North Atlantic at 23 knots. Conditions were clear and the water was calm, which should have helped the lookouts spot an iceberg well in advance.<ref>http://www.historyonthenet.com/Titanic/titanic_timeline.htm</ref>

At 11:40&nbsp;p.m., while sailing 400 miles off the coast of [[Newfoundland]], lookout Frederick Fleet spotted a large iceberg directly ahead of the ship, and alerted the bridge, calling "Iceberg, right ahead!" First Officer William McMaster Murdoch ordered the engines stopped and reversed, and ordered the tiller hard to starboard. The large ship could not slow down and turn quickly enough and its starboard side hit the iceberg, resulting in a long scrape below the waterline.<ref>http://www.cincymuseum.org/information_center/press_room/titanic/sinking_timeline.asp</ref>

At 11:40&nbsp;p.m., while sailing 400 miles off the coast of [[Newfoundland]], lookout Frederick Fleet spotted a large iceberg directly ahead of the ship, and alerted the bridge, calling "Iceberg, right ahead!" First Officer William McMaster Murdoch ordered the engines stopped and reversed, and ordered the tiller hard to starboard. The large ship could not slow down and turn quickly enough and its starboard side hit the iceberg, resulting in a long scrape below the waterline.<ref>http://www.cincymuseum.org/information_center/press_room/titanic/sinking_timeline.asp</ref>