THE TRIALS

Tuesday, April 02, 1912 : Belfast - NORTHERN IRELAND

The engines are started up, and then begins a whole series of stop-and-go exercises at different speeds throughout the morning. After lunch, the most important emergency test is carried out, when the engines are put astern, with the ship launched at full speed ahead. At twenty knots, it takes less than half a mile, about 777 meters, to come to a complete stop. The test runs continue until 6 p.m., and are concluded by anchoring and weighing anchors back in Belfast.

The new liner having met all the British government's requirements, Mr Francis CARRUTHERS, the representative of the Board of Trade, signed the certificate for the passenger transport of the Titanic, valid for one year from this day, Tuesday April 2, 1912. With the certification, the Titanic is handed over by her builder, represented by Thomas ANDREWS, to her owner, represented by Harold SANDERSON.

At around 8 p.m., the Titanic left Belfast, shining brightly, and arrived in Southampton around midnight the following day, having covered 570 miles (1056 km). Five Red Funnel Line tugs - Ajax, Hector, Vulcan, Neptune and Hercules - were waiting to take her to berth 44.