Transatlantic liners were so-called because they made a “line voyage” between points A and B. Titanic sailed from Southampton on April 10th, 1912, but called at Cherbourg in France and Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland to take on more passengers. She then began her maiden voyage proper across the Atlantic towards New York.
Such ships had been compared to floating towns, so preparations for departure were elaborate and painstaking, especially for a maiden voyage. Final provisions and crane-loads of luggage were put on board. Then came the arrival of hundreds of crew members – including officers, firemen, stewards, chefs, nurses, orchestra members, lift-boys, barbers, bakers, window-cleaners and seamen (some crewmen were late and luckily for them were prohibited from coming on board. ) There was also a special focus of activity. Thomas Andrews, who had embarked at 6.30 a.m. on the day of departure, moved around the ship for six hours, inspecting and taking notes before giving the ship a clean bill of health.
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