Maria Elaine Hernandez 
Today, April 15, marks the tragic sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic in 1912. On its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City, the “unsinkable” ship struck an iceberg. The impact ruptured five of its sixteen watertight compartments, filling them with water and ultimately causing it to sink, sealing its fate. This devastating event claimed over 1,500 lives and forever changed the course of maritime safety.
This prompted the formation of the International Ice Patrol to warn ships of icebergs and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to establish stricter lifeboat regulations.
Once the most luxurious ship afloat, the Titanic was built in Ireland by Harland & Wolff. Said to be the largest ocean liner of its time, it boasted amenities like a gymnasium, libraries, and restaurants, and could accommodate over 3,500 passengers.
Now, this historic tragedy lives on through numerous artistic tributes, including the film “A Night to Remember” by Walter Lord and the Titanic Museum Attraction in Missouri, United States.
Let us remember the victims and the lasting impact this tragedy had on safety at sea.
