RMS Titanic, 1912

Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd, based on a photographic print, unknown photographer

Taken April 10th, 1912, Southampton Docks, Hampshire, United Kingdom (Public Domain)

"LONDON, April 10---As the great new White Star liner Titanic was leaving Southampton to-day on her maiden voyage to New York a disaster was narrowly averted and dramatic proof of the correctness of the much debated theory of suction was given. As the Titanic passed from her berth out to the open stream of Southampton water she sucked the water between herself and the quay to such a degree that the strain broke the strong hawsers with which the American liner New York was moored to the quayside, and for some time a collision between the two vessels looked likely. The New York began drifting helplessly, stern first, toward the Titanic. A witness on the shore, describing the incident, says: “The crowd watching from the quay was breathless with excitement. The people climbed into railway trucks to see what was going to happen. As soon as the New York broke loose the Titanic reversed her engines and in a brief space of time stopped dead and began to back. Then the tugs Neptune and Vulcan raced at the New York, and caught her ropes by the bows and stern, and tried to lug her back to her place. It was difficult to tell the distances, looking broadside on, but there was not much room to spare between the New York’s stern and the Titanic’s side. However, no one in uniform was hurried. The Master of the Port with a megaphone stood on the quay issuing orders across the water as calmly as if he were having tea. He had the New York pulled back to the quay and there moored securely. Then he let the Titanic go on again toward the open water. She had backed right away toward the deep water dock while the New York was being tugged about like a naughty child."" – The New York Times, April 11th, 1912, just days before the Titanic's demise in the Atlantic Ocean

Original caption reads,

"Titanic leaves Southampton, England, April 10, 1912. The last mooring line connecting Titanic to land is cast off."