A STORY FROM the Southern Daily Echo documenting the arrival of Titanic in Southampton in April 1912.

The Titanic, built by Harland and Wolff, has the same dimensions as the Olympic, which was also in collision last autumn, the other vessel being the cruiser Hawke, her length being 832ft, and her breadth 92ft. Her gross tonnage is, however, 43,682 or 1004 tons greater than the Olympic, and 4394 more than the Mauretania.

In every way the Titanic justified the description bestwoed upon her of a floating palace, being fitted up with special reference to the comforts of wealthy Americans. A prominent feature on the promenade deck consists of two elaborate suites, each with sitting-room, two bedrooms, bathroom and servants' room, which in the height of the season cost £870 each. Reserved to each of them is a private promenade space on the deck, the whole in each case occupying as much room as four suites costing £400 each.

On the same deck the restaurant, which with its a la carte service has proved a most successful institution, has been considerably increased in size, and on one side it has been provided with a Cafe Parisien, decorated with trellis-work and creeping ivy, which, however, is not growing. The service of plate comprises about 10,000 pieces. In the main dining saloon 550 persons can dine simultaneously. The decorations here are reminiscent of early Jacobean times, but, instead of sombre oak of 16th and 17th centuries, it is painted a soft rich white. The furniture is of oak, designed to harmonise with its surroundings. A feature of the room is the arrangement of recessed bays, where a family and other parties can dine together in semi-privacy.

The Titanic was under the command of Commander Edward J. Smith, who had been transferred from the Olympic. The vessel cost over £1,000,000, and like most other large liners she had a squash racquet court, Turkish baths, and a swimming bath.

The Titanic's propelling machinery consists of the same combination of reciprocating engines and turbines as is fitted in the Olympic.