An A-Z of the TitanicHow far can you get with this A - Z? One or two letters might be quite difficult and may require a little creative thinking!
A - Colonel Astor, the richest millionaire aboard the Titanic.B - Lawrence Beesley, Titanic survivor who wrote an account of the sinking.C - The Carpathia.........D -E- F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z-
Advertising the TitanicPrepare an advertisement to encourage people to sail with the Titanic on her maiden voyage. This could take the form of a poster showing all the luxuries that the ship has to offer first-class passengers.
Start by listing the main selling points of the ship, its luxurious cabins, wonderful leisure facilities, good food, no expense spared etc. Think of slogans that might be used to advertise how grand the ship is: Choose Titanic, travel with us for that extra bit of care and fuss; Luxury within your grasp; Your first class ticket to luxury at sea.
Think up some comments from passengers that could be used as recommendations to encourage others to travel
LifelinesCan you make up a lifeline for one of the people on the Titanic? You could choose Captain Smith, Benjamin Guggenheim, Isidor Straus, Second Officer Lightoller, Wallace Hartley or any of the other crew or passengers.
You could set out your lifeline in this way:
J.Bruce Ismay Born: December 1862, in Crosby near Liverpool.
Education: Elstree & Harrow
Occupation: Shipowner, White Star Line.
Married: Julia Florence Schieffelin, elder daughter
of a New York businessman.
Family: 2 sons, 2 daughters.
Died: October 1937, aged 74.
Importance to the story: Travelled on the Titanic’s maiden voyage and was heard urging Captain Smith to go faster so that the Titanic would arrive in New York ahead of schedule. When the ship was sinking he jumped into a lifeboat and was rescued. Was labelled ‘J. Brute Ismay’ for deserting the ship when there were still women and children on board.
Icebergs Make up your own factsheet about icebergs. Try to answer the following: What is an iceberg; What is it made of; How do icebergs form?; How big can they grow; How do they travel?;How much is below water?; Why are they such a danger to shipping?
Account of a Titanic SurvivorTell the story of your survival from the time you board the Titanic at Southampton to the moment you reach New York. Split your story into sections:
1) Boarding the ship. What were your first impressions? Were you a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class passenger?2) Life on board ship. How did you spend your time?3) What were you doing when the ship hit the iceberg?4) Explain how you manage to survive the sinking. How did you get into a lifeboat?5) What was it like when the ship had gone down? Describe your rescue.6) Describe your feelings when the Carpathia reached New York.
The InquiriesThe Inquiries into the sinking of the Titanic found that there had been many human errors. Try to list these in order of importance. Talk about these before you make your selection.
Captain Smith should not have allowed the Titanic to travel so fast when there was ice around.
The ship’s officers should not have allowed lifeboats to be launched half full.
Bruce Ismay wanted the ship to take the record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.
The Titanic put to sea with far fewer lifeboats than were needed to save the passengers in the event of a disaster.
There were design flaws in the Titanic that allowed water to enter too many compartments.
The ship nearest the Titanic had shut down its wireless room for the night.
The Titanic should have changed course when ice warnings were received.
Write a few lines about your top choice and why you selected it.You could hold an inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic. Bring in witnesses - a survivor, representative from the White Star Line, Captain Rostron from the Carpathia, 2nd officer Lightoller etc.
Timeline for the Titanic DisasterThe main events in the story are jumbled up. Put them into their correct order and make up a timeline from the building of the Titanic to her sinking.
At 2.20 am on April 12th 1912 the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves.
On 2nd April 1912 the Titanic left Belfast to travel to Southampton.
The Titanic left Queenstown on 11th April 1912 and began her Atlantic crossing.
Spring 1909 - work started on building the Titanic.
19th April 1912 - start of the American inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic.
4 am April 12th 1912 - the Carpathia reached the Titanic’s last known position.
11.35 pm, April 11th 1912 - warning of an iceberg ahead
1.55 am April 12th 1912 - only one lifeboat remained to be launched.
12.25 am April 12th 1912 - the order was given for women and children to be put into the lifeboats
10th April 1912, 12.15 pm - The Titanic left Southampton
31st May 1911 - Belfast launch day
2nd May 1912 - opening of the British inquiry into the sinking of the Titanic
12.10 am 12th April 1912 - first distress signal sent out by the wireless room.
