Launched on May 31, 1911, the RMS Titanic, built by Britain's White Star Line, was the largest ship of its time. Hailed as "practically unsinkable", the Titanic was divided into 16 watertight compartments connected by watertight doors. The hull was designed so that even if any two of the compartments were flooded, the ship would remain afloat. During its maiden voyage in April 1912, it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, slicing open more than one third of the starboard hull. Two hours and forty minutes after the collision she foundered; more than 1500 people lost their lives. It is arguably the most famous maritime tragedy of the 20th century.