This rare collection provides a glimpse into the Titanic’s world before and after its tragic sinking, reminding us of the human cost of the disaster and prompting reflection on the many “what ifs” that could have altered history. The winter of 1911-1912 was unusually mild, leading to a surge of icebergs drifting toward Greenland’s west coast. Had this not occurred, the Titanic may never have gone down.

What if the ship was moving slower, the binoculars were not lost, or there had been enough lifeboats? This captivating and heartbreaking visual story takes us on a journey to explore these questions and more about this disaster that shook the world.

The Titanic’s Belfast Heritage

This photo captures the fabled and ill-fated RMS Titanic before it began its maiden voyage to New York. Around April 1912, it was stationed close to the dock in Belfast, Northern Ireland. And it may come as a surprise, but this was the city where it was constructed, with every detail of its creation managed from the port area of this Irish metropolis.

A century after the incident, an interactive museum focused on the heritage and chronicles of the ship, inducing its discovery in the ’80s, was inaugurated. Its location is what is now called the Titanic Quarter at Belfast Docks.

Titanic Sea Trials