Post by Keith Heitmann on Apr 13, 2004 20:00:21 GMT -5
R.M.S. TITANIC
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- Accurately reproduced 1/720th scale Titanic
- Highly detailed hull & deck
- Includes display stand
The legend of the R.M.S. TITANIC, from the fanfare at its launch to the horror of its sinking, has fascinated millions for decades. At her initial launch on May 31, 1911, the TITANIC, built by the British White Star Line, was nothing short of revolutionary. The world had never before, and perhaps never would again see such opulence aboard a ship. Seven grand staircases, four elevators, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a Turkish bath, and a post office gave the ship luxuries enough to rival most fancy hotels. During her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, bound for New York City, the TITANIC offered a pair of parlor suites complete with private 50-foot promenades for $4,350 each. Apart from these numerous creature comforts, the TITANIC was famous for its size and power. At an astounding 883 feet in length and 93 feet in width, the TITANIC cut through rough waters with a steady prow. Twin triple expansion reciprocating steam engines combined with a Parson's low-pressure steam turbine engine to produce a total of 460,000 horsepower. The end result was a smooth cruising speed of 21 knots, with a top speed well over 24 knots. Weighing in at 46,328 gross tons, the TITANIC easily qualified as the largest ship of her time. She was designed to carry 2,500 passengers accompanied by the crew of 900. The White Star Line infamously provided her with 20 lifeboats, exceeding the British Board of Trade's requirement 16. The $10,000,000 TITANIC was most famous for her hull design. Hailed as “practically unsinkable”, the TITANIC was divided into 16 watertight compartments connected by watertight doors. The hull was designed so that even if any two of the compartments were flooded, the ship would still remain afloat. Unfortunately, on April 14, 1912, more than two compartments were flooded. The TITANIC struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, slicing open more than one-third of one side of her hull. Two hours and forty minutes after hitting the iceberg, the last remnants of the monstrous ship sank into the frigid waters, leaving over 1,500 people to drown of freeze. The disaster of the TITANIC has left an incredible impression on the world. The myth of the “unsinkable ship” was forever debunked, leading all future vessels to carry enough lifeboats to account for the entire ship, A 24-hour wireless vigil was set up to help account for all vessels, and an International Ice Patrol was created in 1914 to warn ships of dangerous icebergs.