Thomas Andrews, Shipbuilder

The beginning of the Titanic story -- her conception and construction in the Belfast, Northern Ireland, shipyards of Harland & Wolff -- is attracting increasing interest.

The single most important man in the massive operation was Thomas Andrews, an Irishman whose creative intelligence, practical skill, and organizational ability had made him Chief Designer and Managing Director of the shipyard at a remarkably early age -- he was only 39 years old when he drowned on the Titanic's maiden voyage.

By all accounts, Thomas Andrews was a very lovable man, frank and friendly, with a wonderful laugh and great sense of humor.

When Titanic sailed from Southampton, Andrews was on board on board with a team of shipyard workers, and it was he, with his detailed knowledge of the ship, who first realized that the damage caused in the collision with the iceberg was fatal.

His calm, practical manner, thinking of everyone but himself, did much to prevent panic, and there is no doubt that many of the survivors owed their lives to him.

He went down with the ship, and his loss was a keen part of the overwhelming sense of loss and bereavement felt at home in Belfast.

This book is a facsimile edition of Ulster novelists.

Shan Bullock's 1912 biograph of Andrews, which was commissioned shortly after his death.