Stretching Her Legs

It is about 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 2, 1912. Harland and Wolff's newest and finest product, the White Star liner R.M.S. Titanic, is nearing 21 knots during the speed test portion of her sea trials in the Irish Sea, a few miles east of the Copeland Islands. Upon the completion of testing, she will return to Belfast Lough around 7:00 P.M. where she will offload shipyard personnel, take on supplies, and she will be signed off to her new owners. She will then depart and steam through the night to reach Southampton the following evening, where she will begin preparations for her maiden voyage.