1912 2nd April
Titanic Accepted by White Star Line
White Star Line accepts Titanic after successful sea trials and completion at Belfast.
RMS Titanic · permanent subject timeline
Titanic Sea Trials and Delivery
Final testing, acceptance and handover before the maiden voyage. This page combines historical context with 8 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Titanic archive.
Historical context
Titanic Sea Trials and Delivery: overview and significance
What happened?
Titanic carried out sea trials on 2 April 1912 in Belfast Lough and nearby waters. Following manoeuvring and equipment tests, White Star Line accepted the ship and preparations began for the voyage to Southampton.
Why was it important?
The trials formally demonstrated the completed ship's operation immediately before passenger service. Evidence about construction, surveys and acceptance later featured prominently in the British inquiry.
World History Database records
Titanic Sea Trials and Delivery timeline
The records below are selected from the 241-record RMS Titanic archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1912
1912 2nd April
Titanic Completion
Harland and Wolff completes Titanic after more than three years of construction and fitting out.
1912 2nd April
Titanic Delivery Trip
Travels aboard Titanic on the delivery voyage from Belfast to Southampton.
1912 2nd April
Titanic Handed Over
Titanic is completed and handed over to White Star Line after her sea trials.
1912 2nd April
Titanic Sea Trials
Joins Titanic during sea trials in Belfast Lough before the ship is handed over.
1912 2nd April
Titanic Sea Trials Officer
Joins Titanic's officers for sea trials before the ship leaves Belfast for Southampton.
1912 14th April
Bridge Watch Handed Over
Hands the evening bridge watch to First Officer Murdoch at 10 p.m. before retiring to his cabin.
1912
Titanic Final Inspection
Inspects Titanic during the final fitting-out period before sea trials and delivery.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database Titanic records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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