A bad omen - Titanic and New York

Titanic never reached New York, but she nearly collided with the S.S. New York while departing Southampton at the start of her ill-fated maiden voyage. The great ship had only just left Ocean Dock when she came alongside the S.S. New York.

Suction from the gigantic new White Star Liner drew the New York toward Titanic until, which a great snapping of dock lashings, the smaller ship was drawn from her moorings toward the departing Titanic.

New York was just feet from slicing into Titanic's side when Captain Smith pushed the engines forward full, creating a surge of water that pushed the stray ship away long enough for tugs to get ahold of her and pull her back to dockside.

The incident, which delayed Titanic's journey by an hour, was witnessed by many passengers on board the Titanic and by family and friends still gathered at Ocean Dock for farewells. The near-collision didn't seem to rattle Titanic's captain or crew, but some passengers were worried about it. As one passenger told his daughter, "That's a bad omen."