Titanic: The Ocean Dock

Titanic: The Ocean Dock by ric gustafson


This dock was first excavated in 1908 by the London  and Southwestern Railway Company. This was at the time of Southampton's golden age because after the turn of the century, it became Britain's preferred transatlantic terminus.
Southampton sits at the mouth of the Itchen and Test which are two rivers flowing south. French, Dutch, German and Scandinavian steamers have used the port. In 1907, White Star began to use the port docking the Teutonic, the Majestic and the Oceanic. Those ships were moored at the Empress Dock which was on the Dock's eastern side.
It was decided to build  a wet dock for Olympic class vessels. This dock called Ocean Dock completed the dock peninsula of Southampton. The sides of the dock were 1,600 feet and the depth was 40 feet at low water.The berths along the dock's western side were all numbered. Berth 44 along the eastern side was where Ocean Terminal I sat. April 2 1912, the Titanic stopped at the turning ground outside Ocean Dock. It was turned 180 degrees and then was secured in Berth 44. During the following week, a lifeboat drill took place by Officers Lowe and Moody.
Getting enough coal for the huge ship was a major trouble. A national coal strike was taking place and would not end until April 10 the day Titanic sailed. The coal from five ships were plundered so the Titanic could sail on time and without delay.


research help: ' Titanic Tragedy' by John Maxtone Graham


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric