Titanic launch sequence 2

Launch of Titanic, 31 May, 1911.

Within a minute Titanic reached a launch speed of 12½ knots.  To enable her gigantic hull to slide smoothly down the slipways, vast amounts of lubricants were used – 15 tons of tallow, 5 tons of tallow and train oil mixed together with 3 tons of soft soap. 

Heavy chains and anchors were used to stop the launch momentum of Titanic and she was pulled up in less than half her own length.