31 May - The RMS Titanic is launched in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

 

The RMS Titanic, a famous British passenger liner, was indeed launched on May 31, 1911, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The ship was constructed by the shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff at their shipyard in Belfast. The launch of the Titanic was a highly anticipated event as it was one of the largest and most luxurious ships of its time.

The Titanic was part of the White Star Line fleet and was built to be the ultimate luxury liner, boasting advanced technologies and lavish amenities. It was designed to provide a high level of comfort and opulence for its passengers, with luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining areas, and extensive recreational facilities.

However, tragically, the RMS Titanic's maiden voyage ended in disaster. On April 14, 1912, the ship struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean and sank in the early hours of April 15, resulting in the loss of more than 1,500 lives. The sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most well-known maritime disasters in history.

The launch of the Titanic was a significant moment in maritime history, representing a remarkable achievement in shipbuilding and design. Despite its tragic fate, the Titanic continues to capture the public's imagination and serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of even the most grand and seemingly unsinkable creations.

ON THIS DAY: - 31st May 1911

ON THIS DAY: - 31st May 1911

Titanic was launched, built for the White Star Line by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and when completed she sailed from Belfast on 2nd April 1912, bound for Southampton.

(Pictures of the stamps shown here are Library Pictures)

30 May - Christopher Columbus embarked on his third voyage to the Americas in 1948

 

Christopher Columbus embarked on his third voyage to the Americas with a fleet of six ships on 30 May 1498. This voyage took place in 1498, following his initial voyages in 1492 and 1493. The purpose of Columbus's third expedition was to continue exploring and expanding the territories claimed by Spain.

The fleet consisted of three ships that were carried over from his second voyage: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Additionally, three new ships were added to the expedition: the Santiago de Palos, the San Cristobal, and the San Juan Bautista. These six vessels set sail from the Spanish port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in present-day southwestern Spain.

Columbus's third voyage differed from his previous ones in terms of the route he took. Instead of heading directly west across the Atlantic, he opted for a more southern route. He sailed along the coast of South America, exploring the regions of present-day Venezuela, Trinidad, and the islands of the Caribbean.

During this expedition, Columbus encountered various challenges and hardships. The voyagers faced severe storms, navigational difficulties, and tensions among the crew. Additionally, they struggled with adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes and strong currents.

Columbus's exploration during his third voyage contributed to expanding European knowledge of the American continents. He explored parts of the South American mainland, including the Orinoco River, and continued to search for valuable resources and trade routes.

Despite his efforts, Columbus did not achieve all of his objectives during this voyage. His inability to find significant quantities of gold and his clashes with indigenous populations led to growing discontent among the crew. As a result, Columbus faced criticism and opposition upon his return to Spain.

Nonetheless, Columbus's third voyage remains an important chapter in the history of European exploration and the colonization of the Americas. It furthered European understanding of the vastness and diversity of the New World and contributed to the ongoing process of European expansion and colonization in the following centuries.

The British navy sinks the German battleship Bismarck on 27 May 1941

 

On May 27, 1941, the British navy sinks the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic near France. The German death toll was more than 2,000.

On February 14, 1939, the 823-foot Bismarck was launched at Hamburg. Nazi leader Adolf Hitler hoped that the state-of-the-art battleship would herald the rebirth of the German surface battle fleet. However, after the outbreak of war, Britain closely guarded ocean routes from Germany to the Atlantic Ocean, and only U-boats moved freely through the war zone.

In May 1941, the order was given for the Bismarck to break out into the Atlantic. Once in the safety of the open ocean, the battleship would be almost impossible to track down, all the while wreaking havoc on Allied convoys to Britain. Learning of its movement, Britain sent almost the entire British Home Fleet in pursuit. On May 24, the British battle cruiser Hood and battleship Prince of Wales intercepted it near Iceland. In a ferocious battle, the Hood exploded and sank, and all but three of the 1,421 crewmen were killed. The Bismarck escaped, but because it was leaking fuel it fled for occupied France.

On May 26, the ship was sighted and crippled by British aircraft, and on May 27 three British warships descended on the Bismarck, inflicting heavy damage. By mid-morning, the pride of the German navy had become a floating wreck with numerous fires aboard, unable to steer and with her guns almost useless because she was listing badly to port. Soon, the command went out to scuttle the ship, and the Bismarck quickly sank. Of a 2,221-man crew, only 115 survived. 

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Christopher columbus 4th voyage to the New World

 

Christopher Columbus did indeed embark on a fourth and final voyage to the New World, although he did not leave from Spain. Instead, he departed from the port of Cádiz, in southern Spain, on May 9, 1502, with a fleet of four ships.

Columbus's fourth voyage was marked by a number of difficulties and setbacks. His ships were old and in poor condition, and his crew was mutinous and prone to desertion. Columbus encountered several storms and navigational challenges, and he was forced to make several stops in the Caribbean and Central America in search of supplies and provisions.

During his fourth voyage, Columbus explored the coasts of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and he discovered the island of Martinique. However, he did not find the riches and treasures he had hoped for, and he was often in conflict with local indigenous people.

Columbus's fourth voyage lasted for about two years, and it was marked by disease, hardship, and disappointment. Columbus returned to Spain in November 1504, and he was largely ignored by the Spanish court and left to live out his remaining years in obscurity.

Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Jamaica on 05 May 1494

 

On 5 May 1494, Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Jamaica and claimed it for Spain.

Christopher Columbus, was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonist who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. He led the first European expeditions to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, initiating the permanent European colonization of the Americas. Columbus discovered the viable sailing route to the Americas, a continent that was then unknown to the Old World. While what he thought he had discovered was a route to the Far East, he is credited with the opening of the Americas for conquest and settlement by Europeans.