Duncan Barrett

White Star entrust all their big construction projects to the Belfast firm, and in return, Harland and Wolfe promised not to build ships for their competitors. It's an arrangement that has seen White Star's fortunes rise, to become a major player in the transatlantic passenger trade. After dinner, Ismay and Piri sit up smoking together.

White Star entrust all their big construction projects to the Belfast firm, and in return, Harland and Wolfe promised not to build ships for their competitors. It's an arrangement that has seen White Star's fortunes rise, to become a major player in the transatlantic passenger trade. After dinner, Ismay and Piri sit up smoking together.

And it's here, at least according to Titanic mythology, that they first come up with the idea for a new kind of liner. Not quite scribble down the back of a napkin, but not far off it either. This new vessel will need to be bigger, better, more luxurious than anything passengers have seen before. The dream of Titanic is born. Well, sort of.

And it's here, at least according to Titanic mythology, that they first come up with the idea for a new kind of liner. Not quite scribble down the back of a napkin, but not far off it either. This new vessel will need to be bigger, better, more luxurious than anything passengers have seen before. The dream of Titanic is born. Well, sort of.

In fact, according to most modern experts, plans for a trio of plus-size liners must have been underway well before Piri's party in London. The huge new gantries required to build them were already under construction. What exactly Piri and Ismay discussed that evening, like so many of the key moments in the Titanic story, is shrouded in mystery and myth.

In fact, according to most modern experts, plans for a trio of plus-size liners must have been underway well before Piri's party in London. The huge new gantries required to build them were already under construction. What exactly Piri and Ismay discussed that evening, like so many of the key moments in the Titanic story, is shrouded in mystery and myth.

What we do know is that sometime around 1907, both White Star and Harland and Wolfe begin laying the groundwork for Titanic, along with her two sister ships, Olympic and Gigantic. And both Ismay and Piri are heavily invested in ensuring that they get the new ships right. White Star's market standing depends on it. Professor Stephanie Baczewski is the author of Titanic, A Night Remembered.

What we do know is that sometime around 1907, both White Star and Harland and Wolfe begin laying the groundwork for Titanic, along with her two sister ships, Olympic and Gigantic. And both Ismay and Piri are heavily invested in ensuring that they get the new ships right. White Star's market standing depends on it. Professor Stephanie Baczewski is the author of Titanic, A Night Remembered.

Klaus-Johan Wetterholm is the author of five books in Swedish about the Titanic disaster, and the curator of Titanic, the exhibition.

Klaus-Johan Wetterholm is the author of five books in Swedish about the Titanic disaster, and the curator of Titanic, the exhibition.

Titanic and her two sisters will be part of a major play by White Star for domination of the lucrative transatlantic passenger route.

Titanic and her two sisters will be part of a major play by White Star for domination of the lucrative transatlantic passenger route.

With three brand new ships plying their way back and forth across the Atlantic, the hope is that Whitestar can outdo Cunard's slightly faster two-ship offering. And even if one of the three is put out of action, the weekly service won't be interrupted.

With three brand new ships plying their way back and forth across the Atlantic, the hope is that Whitestar can outdo Cunard's slightly faster two-ship offering. And even if one of the three is put out of action, the weekly service won't be interrupted.

Not that anyone before 1912 is particularly worried about maritime disasters. By the early 20th century, travel by sea is safe, as safe as it's ever been.

Not that anyone before 1912 is particularly worried about maritime disasters. By the early 20th century, travel by sea is safe, as safe as it's ever been.

In fact, by March 1909, when Titanic's keel is laid at the Harland and Wolfe shipyard in Belfast, you're more likely to die building one of these ships than sailing on them. The tragic end of James Dobbin, crushed under a wooden stay during Titanic's celebrated launch, is just the latest fatal accident involving the new Olympic-class vessels.

In fact, by March 1909, when Titanic's keel is laid at the Harland and Wolfe shipyard in Belfast, you're more likely to die building one of these ships than sailing on them. The tragic end of James Dobbin, crushed under a wooden stay during Titanic's celebrated launch, is just the latest fatal accident involving the new Olympic-class vessels.

Harland and Wolfe record 246 injuries during the construction of Titanic alone, 28 of them classed as severe. Several workers have died after falling from the scaffolding surrounding the ship. The youngest, just 15 years old, Nonetheless, for the working men of Belfast, Harland and Wolfe are considered a top employer.

Harland and Wolfe record 246 injuries during the construction of Titanic alone, 28 of them classed as severe. Several workers have died after falling from the scaffolding surrounding the ship. The youngest, just 15 years old, Nonetheless, for the working men of Belfast, Harland and Wolfe are considered a top employer.