April 7: Maritime and River Milestones
April 7: Maritime and River Milestones
RMS Titanic’s last leave (April 10, 1912)
Just days after April 7, on 10 April 1912, RMS Titanic slipped its moorings at Southampton for the voyage that would end in disaster. The White Star liner called first at Cherbourg and then Queenstown (now Cobh) before striking an iceberg on the night of 14–15 April. Of the approximately 2,224 passengers and crew aboard, around 1,517 lost their lives. The Titanic story reshaped expectations of sea safety, lifeboat capacity and ship design — changes that still inform coastal and offshore safety practices today.
Creation of the Environment Agency (1 April 1996)
On 1 April 1996 the Environment Agency for England and Wales began work under the Environment Act 1995. Responsible for river and coastal water quality, fisheries protection, pollution control and flood risk management, the Agency transformed how rivers and estuaries were monitored and managed. Its programmes have influenced stocking policies, angler permits and habitat restoration that benefit trout, salmon and coarse fisheries across the UK.
Modern anglers should note two practical takeaways: check local permits and river status with the Environment Agency before fishing, and always carry basic safety kit — a sturdy rod and a suitable lifejacket when fishing from boats or tidal banks.
Recommended: adult lifejacket