Titanic had a near-collision as she left the dock in Southampton. Guided by tugs through the harbor-waters, Titanic left the unusually crowded dock in Southampton, passing the steamer New York , which was double-berthed - tied up to another ship - at the docks. (A lengthy coal strike, settled only a few days before Titanic sailed, had caused severe fuel shortages, and delayed the departure of many ships.) As Titanic passed, her enormous displacement raised the water-level around her, causing the New York to rise and then abruptly drop, simultaneously snapping all six ropes securing the smaller ship. Her stern began to swing rapidly towards Titanic . (A similar phenomenon occurred some months before to Olympic when a naval vessel, the Hawke , actually rammed Olympic and opened an enormous hole in her hull. The subsequent inquiry determined that Olympic's moving hull had created a suction effect which drew the Hawke helplessly toward her. Repairs to Olympic had slowed work on Titanic , causing Titanic's maiden voyage to be moved from March 20 to April 10.) Only quick and concerted action prevented a collision. Titanic's engines were reversed, and a tug crew secured the New York with a cable and pulled her away. The tug captain later said the New York was four feet from Titanic when she was stopped.

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