INTRODUCTION DISASTER AT SEA In the middle of the night a jolt suddenly interrupted the smooth sailing of the Titanic Many of the ship's passengers woke with a start Then an anxious crowd gathered on the deck to find out what had happened But even the crew didn't know what was wrong The ships officers tried to assure the passengers that there was no danger and some returned to their cabins Soon everyone on board knew they were in serious trouble The Titanic had struck an iceberg
CHAPTER 1 THE TITANIC SETS SAIL On April 10 1912 the Titanic left from Southampton England on its very first voyage The ship stopped for passengers in Cherbourg France and Queenstown Ireland before beginning its journey to New York City It carried 1,317 passengers and 908 crew members
First class passengers ate oysters lobster grapes and more in the grand dining hall Passengers were eager to ride on the largest most luxurious ship ever built It carried some of the world's wealthiest people as first class passengers The most expensive ticket cost 2 560 or 61 000 in today's dollars It bought a three room suite on what people called the floating palace But most passengers traveled in far simpler cabins in second or third class They were smaller rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms
