Titanic's maneuverability had never been tested at full speed. Titanic's sea trials were accomplished in a few hours, and included some maneuvering tests, but most were conducted at speeds of 20 knots or less. When the engines were reversed to "full speed astern" from a forward speed of 20 knots, it took 850 yards - almost half a mile - for the ship to come to a complete stop. She attained a speed slightly in excess of 21 knots only briefly during the day of the trials. Titanic was never sailed at 22 knots (her speed at the time of the collision) until she was on the open ocean, so it was unknown how long it would take the ship to respond at the higher speed.

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