6. Titanic faced a maiden voyage which was not fully sold out, to the disappointment of White Star Line
Despite the hype over the sailing of the Titanic, the ship was put to sea well under capacity. Designed to accommodate just over 2,400 passengers, the vessel carried just over 1,300. The reason the vessel carried so few passengers on its maiden voyage was a longstanding coal strike which had disrupted travel by rail and ship. Many potential travelers canceled their plans until the strike was settled. By the time Titanic moored in Southampton, the strike was settled, but coal was still scarce. Titanic took on coal scavenged from other ships moored in Southampton and from reserves held at White Star Dock.
Besides the duties of coaling the ship and assigning the crew, Lightoller, as second officer, was responsible for the appearance of the ship’s decks and fittings, which had to be spotless when the vessel took on passengers on April 10. The performance of his duties was hampered somewhat by the problems encountered as a result of the newness of the ship – problems common to any new ship – which were normally worked out as part of the sea trials which in its case were inadequate. Nonetheless, the ship took on its passengers and departed the pier at Southampton on schedule, the primary goal of its owners.