The Titanic Tragedy - A Social Studies Viewpoint

Unsinkable!  This was what was said about the luxury liner the Titanic.  She sank in the middle of the night in clear weather.  Was she torpedoed in time of war?  No.  Many thought she was unsinkable.  When the damage occurred the ship's builder, Thomas Andrews, Jr., who was on the Titanic, was consulted.  Soon he realized the ship was sinking.  Captain Edward J. Smith, who was very experienced, ordered women and children to be put into the lifeboats first.  There were not nearly enough lifeboats for all of the people.  Why?  The number of lifeboats was based on the tonnage and not the number of passengers.  Later there were two major inquiries into the accident.  When other captains were questioned, they were asked if they would slow down in icy water.  These captains said they would not slow down in clear weather. The night the Titanic sank was clear.   Did anything change due to this great tragedy?

The Task

You are a reporter for the Indianapolis Star.  The world does not know that the Titanic which is supposed to be unsinkable has sunk on her maiden voyage.  You will report the sinking of the Titanic and will answer the following questions in your newspaper articles.  Who?  What?  When?  Where?  Why?

The Process

A.  Part One: Write the lead article giving a good description of the sinking of the Titanic.  Answer the following questions telling what happened.

  1. Who?
  2. What?
  3. When?
  4. Where?
  5. Why?
  6. Write a headline.

B.  Part Two:  Write a minimum of three feature articles.  Each feature article will describe a different person who was on the Titanic when it sank.  Be sure to answer the who, what (is their background), when, where and why questions.  What important events or accomplishments occurred in their lives prior to the sinking of the Titanic?  Did they play an important part while the Titanic was sinking?  If so, describe what they did.  Be sure to include whether they died or survived.  Choose three from the following.  (Be sure you are under Site List.):

  1. Crew List:  Deck Department:  Boxhall, Mr. Joseph Grove (an officer)
  2. Crew List:  Deck Department:  Lightoller, Mr. Charles Herbert (an officer)
  3. Crew List:  Musicians:  Hartley, Wallace (Bandleader)
  4. Passenger List:  First Class:  Andrews, Mr. Thomas, Jr. (ship builder)
  5. Passenger List:  First Class:  Astor, Colonel John Jacob (wealthy man)
  6. Passenger List:  First Class:  Astor, Mrs. John Jacob (wealthy wife of Colonel Astor)
  7. Passenger List:  First Class:  Brown, Mrs. James Joseph (Molly)  (wealthy woman)
  8. Passenger List:  First Class:  Ismay, Mr. Joseph Bruce (President of ship line)
  9. Passenger List:  First Class:  Gibson, Miss Dorothy (actress)
  10. Passenger List:  First Class:  Guggenheim, Benjamin (wealthy man)
  11. Passenger List:  First Class:  Stead, Mr. William Thomas (wealthy man)
  12. Passenger List:  First Class:  Straus, Mr. Isidor (wealthy man)
  13. Passenger List:  First Class:  Straus, Mrs. Isidor (wealthy wife of Mr. Straus)

C.  Part Three:  Write an editorial column.  (In an editorial the writer takes a specific stance and writes in favor or opposition to that stance.)  Analyze some of the cause and effect sequences which led to the sinking of the Titanic.  State at least two reasons which were the key contributors to the death of so many passengers.  What changes would you recommend so that this kind of tragedy would never reoccur?

D.  Part Four:  There were two major investigations into why the Titanic sunk.  Write a follow up article describing a minimum of two or more changes in rules, regulations or society that occurred due to the death of so many on the Titanic.

Resources

Smithsonian FAQ on the Titanic.  This gives a brief description of the Titanic.

Titanic:  Britannica Online  This gives a brief description of the Titanic and some of the consequences of the accident.

Encyclopedia Titanica by Philip Hind.  Gives the background of crew and passengers.  Click on Encyclopedia.  Under Site Index determine if the person is part of the Crew or Passengers lists.  Gives the background on each person on the Titanic. (Choose three persons from Part Two above.)

The Titanic Disaster:  An Enduring Example of Money Management vs. Risk Management by Roy Brander.  (Gives results and consequences)

Ice Warnings (Scroll down.)  This gives background information on the results and consequences of the ice warnings.

For further resources, read the book A Night to Remember by Walter Lord.  New York: Henry Holt, 1955.

Evaluation

  1. Grammar, spelling and proper form and sentence structure. Two points possible.  Two points will be given if there are no major errors or misspellings.  One point will be given if there are minor errors which are not excessive.  Major errors or excessive minor errors and misspellings will result in zero points.  Do not use contractions (don't, wouldn't, etc.).
  2. Part One (Description of the sinking of the Titanic): Six points possible:  One point for each question.  (Incomplete answers will be given 1/2 point or no credit for all parts.) 
  3. Part Two ( Feature articles on three persons):  Nine points possible:  Three points will be given for each person based on (a) List the person's name.  (b) Give the person's background and any part he/she played when the Titanic sank.  (c) State whether the person survived or died.  Students must describe a minimum of three persons.
  4. Part Three (Editorial on Causes and Needed Changes):  Four points possible:  Two points for two causes and two points for two changes.  
  5. Part Four (Results:  Two changes that resulted.)  Two points possible.  One point for each result.  

Total points possible are 23.  (Extra credit may be given for additional work.  Check with your teacher.)

Conclusion

You have now investigated the sinking of the Titanic.  This should give you a better appreciation for the need for common sense safety precautions and preparations.  Such precautions can be costly but are necessary to prevent the loss of life which can never be replaced.

This page written by Diana J. Hunter.  Last updated February 2005 by Trisha Armstrong