This children’s article, On this day in history: Titanic takes to the sea, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn exciting vocabulary, and discover amazing true stories from history. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
When the Titanic met the sea
On 31 May 1911, a giant new ship called the HMS Titanic was launched into the water for the very first time. This didn’t mean it was ready to sail across the ocean, not yet. It just meant the workers had finished building the outside of the ship and were now ready to float it for the first time. Before launch day, Titanic had been on land for two years while the huge frame was built.
Once it was floating, it was time to add the inside parts. Workers installed bedrooms, fancy dining rooms, and a powerful engine. By the time it was finished, the Titanic was one of the biggest and most luxurious ships in the world.
The famous voyage
In April 1912, the Titanic left Belfast, Northern Ireland. It stopped in England, France, and Ireland to pick up passengers before heading across the Atlantic Ocean toward New York. There were 2,240 people on board, including some of the richest people in the world, and many poor families hoping for a better life in America.
Just four days into the journey, on a freezing cold night, the Titanic hit a massive iceberg. The ice tore a hole in the side of the ship. Water rushed in, and two hours later, the “unsinkable” Titanic sank to the bottom of the ocean. Only 705 people survived.
Finding the wreck
The location of the Titanic remained a mystery for over 70 years. It was finally discovered in 1985, nearly 4 kilometres below the surface. Today, explorers use special submarines to visit the shipwreck deep under the Atlantic Ocean. Even after more than 100 years, people around the world are still fascinated by the story of the Titanic.
Article vocabulary list
- Launch – To put a ship into the water for the first time
- Voyage – A long journey by sea
- Luxury – Something expensive and fancy
- Iceberg – A huge piece of ice floating in the sea
- Wreck – The remains of a destroyed ship, car, or building
- Seabed – The bottom of the sea
- Survivor – A person who lives through a disaster
- Submarine – A special underwater vehicle
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. What does it mean when a ship is “launched”?
a) It starts its first voyage
b) It is first put into the water
c) It crashes into an iceberg
Answer: b) It is first put into the water
2. When did the Titanic sink?
a) May 1911
b) April 1912
c) July 1905
Answer: b) April 1912
3. What caused the Titanic to sink?
a) A fire on board
b) A storm at sea
c) Hitting an iceberg
Answer: c) Hitting an iceberg
4. How many people survived the sinking of the Titanic?
a) 705
b) 2,240
c) 1,000
Answer: a) 705
5. Why couldn’t people find the Titanic wreck for many years?
a) It was too deep and technology wasn’t good enough
b) No one cared about it
c) It floated away
Answer: a) It was too deep and technology wasn’t good enough
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
