Almost 75 years aftr the Titanic sank in the Noth Atlantic after striking an iceberg, a joint American-French expedition led by Dr. Robert Ballard found the wreckage on 1st September 1985. The ship was lying upright in two pieces on the ocean floor at a depth of 12,500 feet - about 350 miles southeast from Newfoundland, Canada.

In the early hours of 15 April 1912, RMS Titanic sank

Investigate the discovery of the Titanic at dsc.discovery.com/convergence/titanic/titanic.html

The following facts have been written with the help of Year 5 at Streatham and Clapham High School, Junior Department.

THE SHIP THAT WAS UNSINKABLE

"On April 10 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton to New York carrying 891 crew and 1317 passengers. The captain of the ship was Edward John Smith. He was a very experienced sailor. Titanic carried rich people and poor people who wanted to start a new life in America."
By Rosie S

As the Titanic was touted as the safest ship ever built, it only carried 20 lifeboats - enough to provide accommodation for only half her passengers and crew.

"For the first three days she sailed through calm waters, however on the fourth day she was near Canada and the waters turned icy."
By Kezia H

Iceberg

"At 11:40pm on April the 4th the ship lookout saw a huge ice berg. After steaming too fast the Titanic scraped the side of the hull and made a huge hole in the side. Less than 3 hours later titanic plunged to the bottom of the sea."
By Lucy A

"The crew had less than 3 hours to fill the life boats with crew and passengers. So many people refused to get off, not knowing what danger they were in."
By Rebecca W

Why did the Titanic sink?

"When the iceberg made the hole in the side of the ship the water was only set to go into four compartments but it flooded more than four. "
By Maia

Survivors

"Many people refused to get onto the lifeboats, because they believed it was unsinkable. In less than three hours the Titanic sank. Many people at the last minute had dived off the boat but died of hyperthermia. The Carparthia ship came steaming to the rescue. Her crew saved as many people as possible and took them to New York."
By Dehayna

The liner Carpathia rescued 705 survivors. One thousand five hundred twenty-two passengers and crew were lost.

Follow this link to read more of the work by Year 5 at Streatham and Clapham High School, Junior Department.

Also on this day ....

1^st September 1951 Britain's first supermarket opens at Earl's Court in London.

1^st September 1971 The penny and the thrupenny piece coins cease to be legal tender as Britain continues the changeover to decimal coinage.