The RMS Titanic was initially scheduled to begin her sea trials in Belfast, Ireland, at 10am on Monday, 1 April, 1912, but the date was changed due to inclement weather (ironic in a way, isn’t it?).
Once the weather was cleared as okay on Tuesday, 2 April, the 119 members of the crew along with several directors and company representatives aboard the ship were able to commence with the sea trials of the ship.
The sea trials were carried out without any problems, and without any red flags being raised.
After several smaller tests, at 2pm the Titanic set out on a straight course into the Irish Sea, travelling for two hours and covering a distance of 64km before she turned back.
At 7pm, the final test – the lowering of the port and starboard anchors – was conducted successfully, after which Francis Carruthers (the Board of Trade surveyor) signed the certificate indicating the Titanic was fully operational and cleared for her maiden voyage.
At about 8pm, the Titanic departed for Southampton, where she would embark on her first and final official voyage on 10 April, 1912.
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