Loss of the Steamship "Titanic"

A meticulously assembled record of the 1912 British inquiry into the sinking of the great ocean liner, this volume brings the courtroom drama of dozens of public sessions to life. It presents the testimonies of nearly a hundred witnesses—engineers, officers, passengers, and wireless operators—alongside detailed charts, ship plans, and contemporary regulations. The narrative follows the methodical questioning that sought to understand the vessel’s design, speed, safety equipment, and crew readiness.

Beyond the courtroom, the report offers a window into early‑twentieth‑century maritime law and the evolving standards that governed passenger steamers. Illustrated with period drawings and official documents, it reveals the complexities of navigating a massive ship through the North Atlantic and the procedural gaps that the investigation aimed to address. Listeners will gain a clear sense of how officials pieced together the facts and the recommendations that emerged to prevent future disasters.