Harland and Wolff was founded in 1861 by Edward James Harland and Gustav Wilhelm Wolff. The company specialises in shipbuilding and is located on Queen's Island in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Harland and Wolff has built many famous ships including the Titanic.

At the time, Harland and Wolff had a workforce of 15,000 and 3,000 were employed in the construction of the Titanic. The building that was the original Headquarters of Harland and Wolf still stands (left) and is part of the new Titanic Quarter.

Thomas Andrews became the general manager and head of the draughting company in 1907. On the 29th July 1908 the design of the Titanic was approved by Bruce Ismay and the other White Star directors. It was under Thomas Andews' care that the Olympic and the Titanic were built. The Drawing Room where the Olympic-class ocean liners were designed is sometimes open to the public (right).

In preparation to build the new Olympic class liners Harland and Wolff  converted three of their existing dry docks into two. Sir William Arrol & Company were commissioned to construct a twin gantry and slipway (left). Titanic's keel was laid on 31st March 1909 and during the next year the double bottom and frames of the ship were constructed. Over three milion rivets held the plates together. The Olympic and Titanic cost £3 million to build. To rebuild just the Titanic today would probably cost at least £210 million. Titanic was 1,004 tons heavier than the Olympic.

On 31st May 1911 around 100,000 people gathered on the banks of the River Lagan to watch Titanic's launch. Three grandstands had been set up by the Harbour Commission inside the shipyard and an area of the Albert Quay was reserved for spectators.

The public were able to purchase tickets to this area from shops for one shilling, the proceeds of which were donated to local hospitals. The launch took place at 12:15 pm and lasted 62 seconds. On the same day her sistership the Olympic was handed over to the White Star Line.

At the time of her launch Titanic was the largest moving man-made object. The impressive Thompson Dry Dock (right) is the footprint of the Titanic and the dock and Pump House have been preserved.  Titanic spent nine months at the deepwater fitting-out wharf where her boilers, engines, funnels and superstructure were added. She had a 'dummy' fourth funnel.

In January 1912 16 lifeboats and four collapsible boats were installed (contrast this with the 63 lifeboats that were needed to evacuate all passengers and crew). By the 31st March 1912 the fitting of Titanic was completed. At 06:00 on the 2nd April 1912 people lined the River Lagan to to see Titanic commence its sea trials.