Book description
Starting from its original conception and design by the owners and
naval architects at the White Star Line through construction at
Harland and Wolff's shipyards in Belfast, Nick Barratt explores the
pre-history of the Titanic. He examines the aspirations of the
owners, the realities of construction and the anticipation of the
first sea-tests, revealing that the seeds of disaster were sown by the
failure to implement sealed bulkheads - for which the original plans
are now available. Barratt then looks at what it was like to embark on
the Titanic's maiden voyage in April 1912. The lives of various
passengers are examined in more detail, from the first class
aristocrats enjoying all the trappings of privilege, to the families
in third-class and steerage who simply sought to leave Britain for a
better life in America. Similarly, the stories of representatives from
the White Star Line who were present, as well as members of the crew,
are told in their own words to give a very different perspective of
the voyage.
Finally, the book examines the disaster itself, when Titanic
struck the iceberg on 14 April and sunk hours later. Survivors
from passengers and crew explain what happened, taking you back in
time to the full horror of that freezing Atlantic night when up to
1,520 people perished. The tragedy is also examined from the official
boards of enquiry, and its aftermath placed in a historic context -
the damage to British prestige and pride, and the changes to maritime
law to ensure such an event never took place again. The book concludes
by looking at the impact on those who escaped, and what became of them
in the ensuing years; and includes the words of the last living
survivor, Millvina Dean.
Dr Nick Barratt obtained a PhD in history from King's College London
in 1996. He started work in television whilst working at the BBC as a
specialist archive researcher. He is also in demand as a speaker on
popular history and genealogy following his work as a presenter,
reviewer and commentator on all aspects of history, notably family
history for the BBC on
Who Do You Think You Are?
Nick also wrote a weekly column in the
Daily Telegraph
called 'The Family Detective'.
