Only 700 of Titanic's 2,200 passengers survived. Photos show how they made it to safety.

Matthew WilsonApr 16, 2021, 01:25 IST

A lifeboat with Titanic survivors approaches the RMS Carpathia on April 15, 1912.Carl Simon/United Archives/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 - 109 years ago - after it hit an iceberg.
The RMS Carpathia, which was 3 hours away, came to the rescue of the stranded survivors.
Almost 30,000 people gathered in New York City to welcome survivors when they docked.

The "unsinkable" Titanic set sail on its ill-fated voyage on April 10, 1912, with around 2,200 people aboard.

The RMS Titanic. Science & Society Picture Library/Getty Images

At 11:40 p.m. on April 14, an iceberg was spotted 400 nautical miles south of Newfoundland, Canada - but it was too late for the ship to change course.

The iceberg believed to have sank the Titanic. Universal History Archive/Getty Images

By 2:20 a.m., the stern of the Titanic slipped under water, and the surviving passengers never saw it again.

The sinking of the Titanic. Bettmann/Getty Images

Of the 2,200 or so people aboard the Titanic, only around 700 people made it into lifeboats.

A lifeboat with survivors from the Titanic. Universal History Archive/Getty Images

The SS Californian was near the Titanic when it sank, but its radio was shut off for the night.

The officers of the SS Californian in May 1912. Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Instead, the RMS Carpathia responded to the Titanic's distress call and changed course to help.

The RMS Carpathia. Bettmann/Getty Images

Arriving at 3:30 a.m., the Carpathia came to the rescue of the survivors in the lifeboats.

The Carpathia helps Titanic survivors. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

By 8:30 a.m., the final person from Titanic's lifeboats had boarded the Carpathia.

Survivors in a lifeboat. Bettmann/Getty Images

The passengers and crew of the Carpathia tried to accommodate the survivors once they were aboard, but for many, the life-changing experience had rendered them inconsolable.

Survivors on the Carpathia. George Rinhart/Getty Images

The passengers and crew of the Carpathia tried to accommodate the survivors once they were aboard, but for many, the life-changing experience had rendered them inconsolable.

Rather than continuing along their original course, Carpathia's captain chose to return to New York City.

Aboard the Carpathia. George Rinhart/Getty Images

Rumors of the Titanic's sinking created a public frenzy at the White Star Line's office.

White Star Line offices. Print Collector/Getty Images

As the Carpathia made its journey into New York, reporters hired tugboats to sail alongside the ship to talk to survivors.

Tugboats. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Carpathia eventually docked at Pier 54 on April 18 at 9:30 a.m.

RMS Carpathia. Bettmann/Getty Images

Around 30,000 people were waiting to welcome the survivors.

Crowds gathered to wait for the Titanic survivors. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

As the survivors of the Titanic left the Carpathia, they were greeted by the thousands of people.

The arrival of the Carpathia with rescued passengers of the Titanic. George Rinhart/Getty Images

Carpathia's crew returned 13 of Titanic's lifeboats to White Star Line.

Titanic's lifeboats. UniversalImagesGroup/Getty Images

For his rescue efforts, Rostron received a US Congressional Gold Medal.

Arthur Rostron and his crew. UniversalImagesGroup/Getty Images

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Only 700 of Titanic's 2,200 passengers survived. Photos show how they made it to safety.

The "unsinkable" Titanic set sail on its ill-fated voyage on April 10, 1912, with around 2,200 people aboard.

At 11:40 p.m. on April 14, an iceberg was spotted 400 nautical miles south of Newfoundland, Canada - but it was too late for the ship to change course.

By 2:20 a.m., the stern of the Titanic slipped under water, and the surviving passengers never saw it again.

Of the 2,200 or so people aboard the Titanic, only around 700 people made it into lifeboats.

The SS Californian was near the Titanic when it sank, but its radio was shut off for the night.

Instead, the RMS Carpathia responded to the Titanic's distress call and changed course to help.

Arriving at 3:30 a.m., the Carpathia came to the rescue of the survivors in the lifeboats.

By 8:30 a.m., the final person from Titanic's lifeboats had boarded the Carpathia.

The passengers and crew of the Carpathia tried to accommodate the survivors once they were aboard, but for many, the life-changing experience had rendered them inconsolable.

Rather than continuing along their original course, Carpathia's captain chose to return to New York City.

Rumors of the Titanic's sinking created a public frenzy at the White Star Line's office.

As the Carpathia made its journey into New York, reporters hired tugboats to sail alongside the ship to talk to survivors.

The Carpathia eventually docked at Pier 54 on April 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Around 30,000 people were waiting to welcome the survivors.

As the survivors of the Titanic left the Carpathia, they were greeted by the thousands of people.

Carpathia's crew returned 13 of Titanic's lifeboats to White Star Line.

For his rescue efforts, Rostron received a US Congressional Gold Medal.