Describes the events that occurred when the steamship Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.

"The year is 1912. Theodore Weiss, a German scientist, has discovered a strange new plague that ravages its victims, transforming them into soulless, flesh-hungry monsters"--P. [4] of cover.

This is the tragic story of the Titanic, the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner the world had ever seen, which sank on her maiden voyage in April 1912. Beautiful, double-page illustrations with amazing cross-sections and cutaway details explain the construction and mechanical details of this gigantic ship and reveal life onboard for passengers and crew. Each new illustration reveals different aspects of life in the early 20th century, and the text highlights hidden details for you to spot. As you follow the pictorial story of this world-famous liner, you will discover how she was built and equipped, what kind of passengers and crew she carried, and what facilities she offered onboard. You will also find out how she struck an iceberg and met with disaster,why she sank so quickly, how many people were saved, and how many lives were lost. You can compare the differences between the Titanic's passengers-from the first-class millionaires to the third-class emigrants-and find out how they dressed, where they ate and slept, and what they did to amuse themselves during the voyage. You can also take a closer look at some of the passengers and crew,and follow their different fates from the exciting start of the voyage to its tragic end.

Commander Edward John Smith's career had been a remarkable example of how a man from a humble background could get far in the world. Born to a working-class family in the landlocked Staffordshire Potteries, he went to sea at the age of 17 and rose rapidly through the ranks of the merchant navy, serving first in sailing vessels and later in the new steamships of the White Star Line. By 1912, he as White Star's senior commander and regarded by many in the shipping world as the 'millionaire's captain'. In 1912, Smith was given command of the new RMS Titanic for her maiden voyage, but what should have been among the crowning moments of his long career at sea turned rapidly into a nightmare following Titanic's collision with an iceberg. In a matter of hours the supposedly unsinkable ship sank, taking over 1,500 people with her, including Captain Smith.

Although the answer appears obvious, there is far more to the sinking of the Titanic than is popularly understood.