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The Real Reason for the Tragedy of the Titanic (Government Regulation)
WSJ ^ | April 12, 2012 | Chris Berg

Posted on 04/14/2016 10:15:40 AM PDT by NRx

In the 1958 Titanic film "A Night to Remember," Captain Smith is consulting with the shipbuilder Thomas Andrews. After the two realize that the Titanic will sink and that there are not enough lifeboats for even half those aboard, Smith quietly says "I don't think the Board of Trade regulations visualized this situation, do you?"

In the run-up to the 100th anniversary of this tragedy this weekend, there's been a lot of commentary about who and what were to blame. Left unsaid is that the Titanic's lifeboat capacity is probably the most iconic regulatory failure of the 20th century.

The ship had carried 2,224 people on its maiden voyage but could only squeeze 1,178 people into its lifeboats. There were a host of other failures, accidents, and mishaps which led to the enormous loss of life, but this was the most crucial one: From the moment the Titanic scraped the iceberg, the casualties were going to be unprecedented.

Yet the Titanic was fully compliant with all marine laws. The British Board of Trade required all vessels above 10,000 metric tonnes (11,023 U.S. tons) to carry 16 lifeboats. The White Star Line ensured that the Titanic exceeded the requirements by four boats. But the ship was 46,328 tonnes. The Board of Trade hadn't updated its regulations for nearly 20 years.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: History; Travel
KEYWORDS: itwassadwhenthe; titanic; unitedkingdom
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To: elcid1970

When the Stockholm hit the Andrea Doria head-on, it was fine; granted, it had an icebreaker hull, but the Titanic should have been OK with just front compartments damaged/filled. As I understand it, the attempt to turn while reversing (actually only slowing because of the short amount of time) probably exposed much more of the side of the hull than if they had just carried on.


41 posted on 04/14/2016 8:50:33 PM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: IamConservative

High sulphur content which made the steel brittle at low temps. Also the rivets were of poor quality even for the time.

There were also some design issues with the watertight bulkheads which contributed.


42 posted on 04/14/2016 9:03:01 PM PDT by uglybiker (nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-BATMAN!)
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To: NRx
That is one of the most risible and thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories I have come across.

Debunked? How so?

43 posted on 04/15/2016 12:03:30 AM PDT by Partisan Gunslinger ( After darkness, light.)
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To: Partisan Gunslinger

It is a kooky conspiracy, one of many. Others blame the Federal Reserve, the Jews, the Illuminati, the Jesuits etc. A very quick look on Google produces no shortage of articles and videos debunking this idiocy. Here are just a few off the first page of hits...

http://commonsenseconspiracy.com/2012/04/a-common-sense-look-at-the-most-popular-titanic-conspiracy-theories-tax-day-and-the-federal-reserve-in-the-spotlight/

http://www.williammurdoch.net/articles_34_Titanic_switch_theory_01.html

http://www.markchirnside.co.uk/pdfs/Conspiracy_Dissertation.pdf

https://illuminutti.com/category/titanic/


44 posted on 04/15/2016 6:23:28 AM PDT by NRx (It's sad when there is no one running for President that I can vote for with a clear conscience.)
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To: NRx
It is a kooky conspiracy, one of many. Others blame the Federal Reserve, the Jews, the Illuminati, the Jesuits etc.

This statements proves you didn't even know what that video was about, you just like to make personal attacks. The video was about the Federal Reserve. You're a troll.

45 posted on 04/15/2016 8:40:47 AM PDT by Partisan Gunslinger ( After darkness, light.)
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To: Partisan Gunslinger
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/35/35c957bd9da29f3a420e5bf87abc1b561d590e8450e2e005fd3f1a271ee40539.jpg
46 posted on 04/15/2016 9:03:38 AM PDT by NRx (It's sad when there is no one running for President that I can vote for with a clear conscience.)
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To: NRx

Yeah, you’re right. The government never lies about anything. /s


47 posted on 04/15/2016 12:12:14 PM PDT by Partisan Gunslinger ( After darkness, light.)
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To: NRx

Of course it was the Jews. Iceberg, Goldberg, Greenberg.....what’s the difference?


48 posted on 04/15/2016 12:15:23 PM PDT by dfwgator
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