Titanic

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Irish Star US

A memorial service will be held in Cobh, Co Cork, to mark 112 years since the Titanic left Cork Harbour on its ill-fated journey.

The service will remember the 123 people who boarded the Titanic from Co Cork - only 44 of whom survived the sinking.

Cobh Tourism is inviting everyone to join the annual service at 3pm on Sunday, April 14, at the Titanic Memorial in Pearse Square. There will be music, prayers, and the laying of wreaths.

People will then gather at the Promenade to hear the names of the 79 passengers who died in the sinking on April 15, 1912, after boarding in Cobh.

The 123 passengers who boarded in Cork Harbour were taken out to the Titanic, anchored off Roches Point, on two small boats. The stories of those who boarded on April 11, 1912, from "Heartbreak Pier" in Cobh (then named Queenstown) are well-known.

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Titanic - The Ship of Dreams -Titanic Uncored

Today in History: Captain Smith Given Full Command of R.M.S. Titanic!

From Coy Bailey II, Titanic Enthusiast
On this day in 1912, Captain Edward John Smith, who was suppose to command the R.M.S. Olympic, is suddenly changed to command the maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, who is the sister ship to the Olympic and Brittanic. Command of the Olympic was diverted to Captain Hebert Haddock.

Smith, with 35 years of experience under his belt, was wanted by the White Star Line to command the new ocean liner that would set sail on April 10, 1912 towards New York, making stops in Queenstown and Cherbourg along the way. Titanic would sail from Southampton, England. Her maiden voyage was delayed from early March to early April because of repairs needed for the R.M.S. Olympic that struck the H.M.S. Hawke earlier that year.

Smith, known as "The Millionaire's Captain" was an instant celebrity among the wealthy class, often dining with them on voyages across the Northern Atlantic. He was the highest paid sea captain of the White Star Line and planned to retire after Titanic's maiden voyage at the age of 62 years.

However, tradegy would strike four days into Titanic's maiden voyage when it struck an iceberg at 11:39 PM, April 14, 1912. She sunk beneath the Atlantic Ocean at 2:20 AM, April 15, 1912, taking nearly 1,500 souls with her. Smith was among the victims. He refused to abandoned ship. It is suspected he was last seen on the bridge when water bursts through the wheelhouse windows. Smith was most likely in shock and took his own life in this manner. Still, these, and many other factors, are disputed.

His body was never recovered. He left behind a wife and daughter.