Quote: once the iceberg hits is a total non-starter.
I'd disagree. With the technologies available to us, Titanic is salvageable up to the point that water begins to wash over the foredeck. Up to that point, the flooding is constrained solely to what waters can flow through the damage in the hull. Beyond that point, every single opening in the ship's upper parts allows her to rapidly flood. And we do have that containment foam from Zion Beta.
All we need is a ship large enough to hold the passengers, a few million period pounds, and Mr. Bruce Ismay's signature on a bill of sale. I would propose that we buy the Titanic from him after she strike the iceberg, after it is determined by the crew that her sinking is a certainty. This leaves us approximately an hour and a half window to 'negotiate' - and some salvage company willing to buy a sinking ship will seem like a Godsend for Ismay so he'll probably fold quick enough - Leaving us with time to sufficiently seal the damage in Titanic's hull to save her. We would need to seal at least two compartments to be certain, but with divers, expanding foam mats that will be driven into the hull fractures by water pressure and flow, and proper pumping equipment we can bring aboard, it should definitely be possible to keep her afloat.
Once her bow's under water however, she's terminal.
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--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?