On May 31st 1911 Titanic was launched at the Harland and Wolf Shipyard in Belfast.
It had taken 792 days to complete the construction of her hull, 2 years, 2 months and 1 day after the keel was laid on 31st March 1909. Her sister ship Olympic had been launched 6 months earlier on 20th October 1910. Twenty tons of soft soap and oil had been applied to the slipway to aid the ship to enter the water of the River Lagan.
To witness the launch, dignitaries were invited to view proceedings from a specially constructed grandstand. Amongst those present were JP Morgan, head of the International Mercantile Marine Company (the owners of White Star Line); J Bruce Ismay, Chairman White Star Line; and the Lord Mayor of Belfast. Almost 100 journalists had travelled to Belfast (many on a specially charted steamer, the Duke of Argyll) to record the launch and were provided with a grandstand. A further two grand stands were built for ticket holders who had purchased their places, the funds going to local Belfast Hospitals.
Just after noon a red signal rocket was fired and red flags raised to signify the launch was imminent. The White Star Line did not go in for ceremony, there would be no naming of the ship, no champagne breaking on the ships bow, and no ceremony. At 12:13 a second red rocket signalled the start of the launch. Lord Pierre, chairman of Harland and Wolf gave the order and the last remaining timber supports were removed and Titanic started to slip into the water. One minute later she was in the River Lagan.
 |
| River Lagan Belfast into which the Titanic was launched. |
Her launch weight was recorded at 24,360-tons. Once launched Titanic was towed to a dry dock to start fitting out.
******
******
