Titanic's Untold Story: How Large was the Infamous Iceberg?

Over a century ago, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 2,240 people on board, only around 700 survived. Since then, the tragedy has been the subject of endless movies, documentaries, and books. While we've learned a lot about the ship and many of the people on board, we hardly know anything about the iceberg responsible for the catastrophe, especially anything concerning its size. But maybe we can find some clues.

The Titanic was constructed by the White Star Line as part of its new fleet of passenger liners. At the time, it was the largest ship ever built, measuring 883 feet long, equal to two and a half soccer fields placed end to end, and 175 feet tall, which is close to the height of 10 giraffes standing on top of one another. The ship was big enough to have veranda cafes, a restaurant, a reading and writing room, a Turkish bath, a gym, squash courts, and even a swimming pool. It could carry a total of 3,300 people, including 2,435 passengers and 900 crew members. Safety was paramount, with the Titanic designed to have 16 watertight compartments below its deck.

The iceberg that sank the Titanic was estimated to be around 50 to 100 feet high and 200 to 400 feet long. It had likely broken off from glaciers in Greenland and made its way to the Atlantic Ocean. The iceberg's size and visibility at night were significant factors in the collision. Despite warnings and attempts to change course, the iceberg tore through the ship's hull, leading to its tragic sinking within a few hours.

Icebergs remain a threat, and organizations like the International Ice Patrol were established to locate and track larger icebergs to prevent similar tragedies. While we'll never know for certain the exact size of the iceberg that hit the Titanic, clues from witness accounts, photos, and historical data provide insights into its characteristics. The story of the Titanic continues to captivate and remind us of the dangers posed by the unpredictable forces of nature."