RMS Titanic

The 14th April 2012 marked 100 years since the sinking of the most famous ship in the world – RMS Titanic. Southampton was the port from where the ill-fated passenger liner set sail for New York. At 11.40 on 14th April 1912, she hit an iceberg in the cold North Atlantic waters, sinking on 15th April at 2.20am.

549 people from Southampton lost their lives in the disaster and the total death toll for all passengers and crew came to 1523. The loss made headlines across the world.

Southampton is a focus for the centenary and events across the county will enable you to find out more about the Titanic, and the people connected to it.

Centenary events

Many events have been planned to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic.

A special concert by the City of Southampton Orchestra Concert was held on 10th April at Queen Elizabeth Terminal, Southampton Docks and on the 14th April, the SCO-CoMA Titanic Commemoration Concert was held at Southampton Guildhall.

The Southampton Concert Orchestra and Contemporary Music for All collaborated to perform this concert of classical and contemporary music honouring the tragic event. Highlights of the concert were a newly arranged version of Gavin Bryars’ mood piece Titanic and Dvorak’s New World Symphony, representing the hopes and aspirations of many of the passengers who set off on the liner in search of a better life.

On 10th April, the new Southampton SeaCity Museum opened which features interactive displays about the Titanic.

On 15th April a wreath was laid on the grave of Captain Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, the master of the ocean liner RMS Carpathia which rescued the survivors.

Related Titanic articles:

Loss of RMS Titanic felt in Wiltshire

Loss of Titanic felt in Dorset