Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
On April 14, a hundred years ago, a ship touted to be one that could never be sunk met a tragic end.
It took merely four hours for RMS Titanic, out on its maiden journey, to disintegrate and go down the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean after slamming into an iceberg.
Over 1500 lives were lost in one of the deadliest maritime accidents which saw the Titanic's hull plates buckling inwards at a number of locations on her starboard side and opened five of her 16 watertight compartments to the sea, eventually sinking her.
On the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, rediff.com showcases some rare photographs of the ship and the tragedy it suffered.
This photo shows the Titanic just prior to being launched into the River Lagan for towing to a fitting-out berth where her engines, funnels and interiors would be installed, May 31, 1911.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
The Titanic is launched into the River Lagan for towing to a fitting-out berth, May 31, 1911.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
View from RMS Carpathia of the iceberg, which sank the Titanic
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
Titanic lifeboats on their way to the Carpathia following the sinking of the Titanic April 15, 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A lifeboat from the Titanic pulls alongside the Carpathia following the sinking of the Titanic, April 15, 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A group of survivors of the Titanic disaster aboard the Carpathia after being rescued, April 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A group of survivors of the Titanic disaster aboard the Carpathia after being rescued, April 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A group of survivors of the Titanic disaster aboard the Carpathia after being rescued, April 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A crowd in New York awaiting survivors from the Titanic to arrive aboard the Carpathia following the sinking of the Titanic, April 18, 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
Child survivors of Titanic sinking, April 1912. Michel and Edmond, ages four and two, better known as the 'Titanic Orphans' were the only children rescued from the Titanic without a parent or guardian. The children, who spoke no English, were cared for by first-class French-speaking passenger Margaret Hays until their mother was located in France. Their father placed the two in the last lifeboat successfully launched from the Titanic.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
Edmond and Michel Navratil, of Nice, France, on their mother Marcelle's lap after being reunited with her, 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
Stuart Collett; a survivor of the Titanic sinking, possibly on board the Carpathia, April 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
A family that survived the sinking of the Titanic pose for a portrait in 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress/Reuters
Photocopy of the hand-written account by captain of RMS Carpathia describing his response to the distress signal of the Titanic on April 15, 1912.
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In PHOTOS the Titanic tale: How it all began and ended
Photographs: Library of Congress
Harold Bride, surviving wireless operator of the Titanic, with feet bandaged, being carried up ramp of ship
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