Report Into the Loss of the SS Titanic is a complete re-evaluation of the loss of Titanic based on evidence that has come to light since the discovery of the wreck in 1985. This collective undertaking is compiled by eleven of the world’s foremost Titanic researchers, experts who have spent many years working through the wealth of evidence that has come to light in the hundred years since 1912. Each of the book’s co-authors is a recognised specialist in his or her chosen area of study and each chapter has been exhaustively researched, analysed and referenced utilising the very best evidence that is currently available.
Following the basic layout of the 1912 Wreck Commission report, this modern-day report provides fascinating insights into the ship itself, the American and British inquiries, the passengers and crew, the fateful journey and ice warnings received, the damage and sinking, protocol and process of rescue, the circumstances in connection with the SS Californian and SS Mount Temple and the aftermath and ramifications that followed the disaster.
Among the questions considered in this book are whether or not there was sufficient time for Titanic to avoid the iceberg, and whether or not her rudder was too small for her size; whether or not Titanic was poorly designed or constructed using inferior materials; and whether Titanic’s steerage passengers were really detained behind locked gates below decks. The book will also reveal the name of every single passenger and crewman (including those who used aliases) who sailed on Titanic’s maiden voyage. Containing the most extensively referenced chronology of the voyage ever assembled and featuring a wealth of explanatory charts and diagrams as well as archive photographs, Report Into the Loss of the SS Titanic is the definitive ‘go-to’ reference book commemorating 100 years of Titanic.
Samuel Halpern has written many articles on Titanic and given a number of presentations. A member of the Titanic Historical Society and Titanic International Society, he has organised some passionate authors from all over the world to write this book, including: Capt Charles Weeks, Professor Emeritus in Marine Transportation at the Maine Maritime Academy; George Behe, past vice-president of the Titanic Historical Society; The Olympic-Class Ships author Mark Chirnside; Titanic the Ship Magnificent authors Bruce Beveridge and Steve Hall; Titanic: Monument and Warning author Dave Gittins and other writers each with specialist Titanic fields of interest, Bill Wormstedt, Tad Fitch, Lester Mitcham, and Cathy Ackers-Jordan. The foreword is by J. Kent Layton. They live in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.