10 The loss of the Titanic

The great ship, Titanic, sailed for New York from Southampton on April 10th, 1912.

巨轮“泰坦尼克”号1912年4月10日从南安普敦起锚驶向纽约。

She was carrying 1,316 passengers and a crew of 891.

船上载有1,316名乘客与891名船员。

Even by modern standards, the 46,000 ton Titanic was a colossal ship.

即便用现代标准来衡量,46,000吨的“泰坦尼克”号也算得上一艘巨轮了。

At that time, however, she was not only the Iargest ship that had ever been built, but was regarded as unsinkable, for she had sixteen watertight compartments.

当时,这艘轮船不仅是造船史上建造的最大的一艘船,而且也被认为是不会沉没的。因为船由16个密封舱组成。

Even if two of these were flooded, she would still be able to float.

即使有两个舱进水,仍可漂浮在水面上。

The tragic sinking of this great liner will always be remembered, for she went down on her first voyage with heavy loss of life.

然而,这艘巨轮首航就下沉,造成大批人员死亡。人们将永远记着这艘巨轮的沉没惨剧。