What a Remarkable Age

The Titanic docked at Southampton before it's departure.

On Wednesday April 10, 1912 Titanic's maiden voyage began. Following the embarkation of the crew, the passengers began arriving around 9:30 am. In all, 923 passengers boarded Titanic at Southampton: 179 First Class, 247 Second Class and 494 Third Class. The large number of Third Class passengers meant they were the first to board, with First and Second Class passengers following up to an hour before departure. Stewards showed them to their cabins, and First Class passengers were personally greeted by Captain Smith on boarding. 

After making it safely through the complex tides and channels of Southampton Water, Titanic headed out into the English Channel. and headed for the French port of Cherbourg, a journey of 77 nautical miles. Four hours after Titanic left Southampton, she arrived at Cherbourg. 274 additional passengers were taken aboard: 142 First Class, 30 Second Class, and 102 Third Class. The process was completed within only 90 minutes and at 8 pm. Titanic weighed anchor and left for Queenstown with the weather continuing cold and windy.

At 11:30 am on Thursday, April 11, Titanic arrived at Cork Harbor on the south coast of Ireland. In all, 123 passengers boarded Titanic at Queenstown: 3 First Class, 7 Second Class and 113 Third Class. Titanic weighed anchor for the last time at 1:30 pm and departed on her westward journey across the Atlantic.

Titanic was planned to arrive at New York Pier 54 on the morning of April 17^th.

The Titanic's crossing of the Atlantic was expected to take a little under a week.