IT was 102 years ago today the Titanic set off on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

The ocean liner struck an iceberg and sank with the loss of more than 1,500 lives, making a hero of Bolton-born Sir Arthur Rostron whose ship Carpathia, rescued more than 700 people from the Atlantic.

It also ruined the reputation of Captain Stanley Lord, also from Bolton, who stood accused of ignoring the ship’s distress calls on April 15.

Bob Howarth, who was leader of Bolton Council for more than 20 years, mounted a campaign to clear Captain Lord’s name when he died in 1962.

Even now more than 100 years ago, the most famous maritime disaster continues to fascinate.

Research out today shows Titanic’s maiden voyage took place in a year when there were not exceptional occurrences of icebergs on the seas.

Sheffield University academics using data on iceberg locations dating back to 1913 have shown that 1912 was a significant ice year but not considered extreme — with the iceberg risk actually greater today.