Unlike the "Titanic", the "Olympic's" maiden voyage on 14 June, 1911 was fully booked, and like the "Titanic" was captained by E.J. Smith. The great ship settled into a comfortable routine; a week-long voyage to New York, via Cherbourg, France and Queenstown, Ireland. Following a three and a half day lay over in NY, she crossed the Atlantic to Southhampton via Plymouth and Cherbourg. Three and a half days, later the cycle repeated. On "Olympic's" fifth voyage, sailing around the Isle of Wright from Southhampton, the "Olympic" collided with the HMS "Hawke," an aging Royal Navy cruiser. No one was killed, though the "Olympic" limped back to port on one engine and two watertight compartments completely flooded. Unfortunately, this incident may have reinforced the paradigm of the invincibility of modern shipbuilding, a paradigm that sank along with the "Titanic." The "Olympic" underwent six weeks of repairs at Belfast and resumed it's transatlantic run in November 1911. Three months later, in February, 1912, she struck an uncharted obstruction at sea and threw a propeller blade. Again, she returned to Belfast for repairs. In April, 1912, she was at sea when she received the "Titanic's" distress call, but was too far away to assist. After the disaster, "Olympic" was pulled from service to undergo a refit to incorporate the lessons learned. After undergoing $1,215,000 worth of work (extending the double bottom, increasing the height of the watertight bulkhead) and increasing it's lifeboat complement to 68, she resumed her New York run on 2 April 1913. Morbidly, the "Olympic," became extremely popular as the sister of the "Titanic;" people even then were fascinated by the wreck. Events, however, soon overshadowed the "Titanic" as the clouds of war gathered over Europe.
 |
