65.2k views
4 votes
Given the division on the Titanic, where were the manual laborers on the ship?

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Manual laborers on the Titanic worked in the engine and boiler rooms under harsh conditions. Similarly, onshore laborers in factories, mines, and the railways also faced dangerous environments with few safety precautions. Employment conflicts, such as those witnessed in Baltimore post-Civil War, also influenced laborer roles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Manual laborers on the Titanic, and ships of the era, were typically found working in the bowels of the vessel, primarily in the engine room and the boiler rooms. These laborers, often referred to as stokers or trimmers, would endure intense heat and physically demanding conditions to ensure the proper functioning of the ship’s steam engines. The division of labor aboard ships like the Titanic was a clear reflection of the social stratification of the time, with manual laborers being predominantly from the working class and housed in the lower, less comfortable areas of the ship. The harsh conditions faced by these workers were not limited to maritime labor. Onshore, industrial laborers faced similarly dangerous environments in factories, mines, and railways, with risks including injuries, illness, and encounters with inadequate safety measures.

Hazardous workplace conditions were common during the industrial revolution, as described in historical accounts of working around steam engines without safety precautions, resulting in frequent injuries and even amputations. Factory workers, miners, and railroad workers faced long hours, low pay, and high risk of accidents. Additionally, societal issues such as racism played a role in determining who would be employed in certain jobs and who would be excluded, as seen in the conflicts over employment affecting African American workers post-Civil War in cities like Baltimore

User Edavidaja
by
8.2k points