33 Rare Titanic Photos From Before And After The Sinking

Published November 20, 2016
Updated March 12, 2024

From its construction to the aftermath of its sinking, these seldom-seen Titanic photos reveal the infamous tragedy like never before.

Building The Titanic
Unfinished Ship
Contruction Dock
Titanic Photos
33 Rare Titanic Photos From Before And After The Sinking
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It's been more than a century since the Titanic -- nicknamed the unsinkable ship -- made its fatal descent into the depths of the North Atlantic. At the time, the ship was the largest passenger ship on the seas and the largest man-made moving object on Earth, measuring 882-feet in length. At its maximum capacity, the ship could carry 3,547 people on board in both passengers and crew.

However, only 16 wooden lifeboats were brought aboard the ship. That was only enough to carry one-third of the ship's capacity. When the ship hit a 100-foot-tall glacier, more than 1,500 souls went down with the luxury liner in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.

From pets to one of the world's richest men in John Jacob Astor IV, very few survived the unforgiving coldness of the Atlantic. Even the ship's captain met his end, with his famous last words being:

"Well boys, you've done your duty and done it well. I ask no more of you. I release you. You know the rule of the sea. It's every man for himself now, and God bless you."

However, thanks to the RMS Carpathia's rescue efforts, some survived. Sadly, only 306 bodies were found after the sinking.

News of the rescue reached the public later that day, and crowds descended upon the docks to greet them. When the survivors hit land in New York's Pier 54 on April 18, the press scurried to interview and photograph them, some of whom you can see in the Titanic photos above, images that portray the full story of the doomed ship.

Building The Titanic
History Uncovered Podcast
Episode 64: The Titanic, Part 1: Building The ‘Unsinkable Ship’
It was supposed to be the greatest ship in history, a gargantuan marvel of modern engineering and unparalleled luxury. But the Titanic was doomed long before it ever set sail.

Enjoy these Titanic photos? Next, check out the only known video footage of the Titanic. Then, have a look at some astounding Titanic facts that most people don't know.

author
Erin Kelly
author
An All That's Interesting writer since 2013, Erin Kelly focuses on historic places, natural wonders, environmental issues, and the world of science. Her work has also been featured in Smithsonian and she's designed several book covers in her career as a graphic artist.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.