Senator William Alden Smith
Titanic Senate Report
Presents the Senate inquiry's findings and safety recommendations after weeks of hearings.
Titanic quick answer
What safety changes followed the Titanic disaster?
The disaster led to recommendations and international rules covering lifeboat capacity, boat equipment and inspection, trained crews and drills, continuous radio watch, ice patrol and wider ship-safety standards. The first SOLAS convention was adopted in 1914 in response to Titanic.
Answer in context
Lifeboat capacity, drills, wireless watch, ice safety and the first SOLAS convention. The supporting records below are selected directly from the current 617-record Titanic archive.
Archive records supporting this answer
15 matching archive records are rendered directly in this static page.
Senator William Alden Smith
Lifeboat Reform Recommendation
Supports the report's recommendation that passenger ships carry lifeboat capacity sufficient for everyone aboard.
Senator William Alden Smith
Wireless Regulation Recommendation
Supports stronger regulation of shipboard radiotelegraphy after the inquiry examines failures in emergency communications.
Senator William Alden Smith
Passenger Drill Recommendation
Supports recommendations for improved lifeboat assignments, crew training and passenger emergency drills before departure.
Senator William Alden Smith
United States Lifeboat Capacity Recommendation
Supports Senate recommendations requiring lifeboat capacity adequate for the people carried on ocean-going passenger ships.
Senator William Alden Smith
United States Lifeboat Crew Training Recommendation
Supports proper assignment and training of crew members so lifeboats can be loaded, lowered and handled efficiently in emergencies.
Senator William Alden Smith
United States Passenger Drill Recommendation
Supports passenger lifeboat assignments and emergency drills before departure so people know where to go during an abandonment.
Senator William Alden Smith
United States Radiotelegraph Regulation Recommendation
Supports stronger regulation of shipboard radiotelegraphy after the inquiry exposes weaknesses in emergency wireless communications.
Senator William Alden Smith
International Sea Traffic Safety Agreement Recommendation
Supports international agreement on safer ocean traffic, including ship safety requirements and routing in waters threatened by ice.
Sir Henry Babington Smith
International Radiotelegraph Safety Conference Opens
Chairs the London radiotelegraph conference as maritime safety and emergency communications receive increased attention after Titanic.
Harold Arthur Sanderson
Lifeboat Capacity Policy Evidence
Discusses White Star views on lifeboat accommodation and the practical problems of carrying additional boats.
Lord John Charles Bigham
Lifeboat Capacity Based on Persons
Recommends calculating lifeboat and raft capacity from the number of people carried rather than from a ship's tonnage.
Lord John Charles Bigham
Stronger Lifesaving Appliance Inspection
Recommends more searching official inspection of lifeboats and other life-saving appliances before passenger ships sail.
Lord John Charles Bigham
First SOLAS Convention Signed
Chairs the conference that produces the first International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea in response to Titanic.
Lord John Charles Bigham
SOLAS Lifesaving Appliance Standards
Helps establish international standards for lifeboats and other life-saving appliances through the first SOLAS Convention.
Sources and further reading
- The National Archives — Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
Describes the 1913–1914 international conference and safety measures developed after Titanic. - International Maritime Organization — SOLAS
States that the first SOLAS convention was adopted in 1914 in response to the Titanic disaster. - International Maritime Organization — History of life-saving appliance requirements
Outlines the development of international life-saving appliance standards after Titanic.