Passengers Walk by Onboard Lifeboats Prior to Sinking

There was no way for any of the passengers aboard the Titanic to know the fate that would befall the ship. As they strolled through this area with the onboard lifeboats, they probably never imagined they would have to use them. Although a lifeboat drill was supposed to be conducted the morning before the vessel sank, Capt. Edward J. Smith canceled it.

Unfortunately, Titanic’s lifeboats were only enough to hold around one-third of the ship’s total capacity. And even then, many were only partially filled at about half of their maximum capacity, primarily because of fear of overloading that could cause them to buckle under the weight.