Shipwrecks and maritime disasters have always captivated the public imagination and none more so than the luxury liner RMS Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage one hundred years ago this year.
With the loss of 1,517 lives on April 15, 1912, three hours after the ship struck an ice berg, the real life tales of love and heroism spawned a legend and fascination which shows no sign of abating.
The obsession with Titanic continues to grow and as we approach the 100th-year anniversary, take a look at what is happening around the world to commemorate this day.
SourceApril 15, 2012 marks the 100th year anniversary of maritime's greatest disaster - the sinking of the Titanic.
SourceThe story of the sinking of the Titanic has an enduring fascination for millions of people around the world.
SourceThe Titanic met its catastrophic end in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912, after striking an iceberg during its maiden voyage.
SourceShe now lies in a deep-sea grave at one of the deepest-known point on Earth.
SourceRusticles have formed on the wreck and are weakening the ship.
SourceIt took over 3,000 people over three years to build the RMS Titanic.
SourceIt weighed 46,000 tons and was 882 feet long.
SourceBelfast, Northern Ireland - Bob Ballard explores the massive Thompson Dry Dock in Belfast. At the time of its construction, this was the largest dry dock in the world -- built especially for Titanic and her sister ships. 
SourceMore than 1,500 lost their lives in the disaster.
Source20 boilers, 162 furnaces and 650 tons of coal per day were needed to power the Titanic.
SourceTitanic was first discovered on the sea bed in 1985, seven decades after.
SourceMany parts of Titanic remain intact.
