Dark Secrets Of The Titanic That The Movie Missed

It was never advertised as "Unsinkable"

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The question persists: was the Titanic advertised as unsinkable? The ship's builders, Harland and Wolff, have consistently maintained that they never made any guarantees regarding the Titanic's unsinkability. The word was never used in the marketing campaigns of the White Star Line and it's ironic that the Titanic was only referred to as 'unsinkable' after it had already collided with the iceberg!

Psst... it wasn't just the iceberg that was the issue!

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One of the leading theories about other Titanic problems proposes a possible connection between the sinking of the Titanic and a coal fire. There's a hypothesis that coal may have caused damage to the structure of the ship. According to many workers involved with the ship, they are certain that a coal fire was the primary factor behind the shipwreck. However, the theory remains unproven.

The lookouts in the Crow's Nest had lost the binoculars

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It was discovered that the lookout on duty did not possess the crucial tool for spotting potential hazards: a pair of binoculars. During the time of the Titanic's departure from Southampton, there was a crew reshuffle that resulted in a seaman leaving the ship. This seaman happened to take the key to the crow's nest locker, where the binoculars were stored, with him.

The shipyard for building the Titanic was cursed

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Many know that the Titanic was built in Belfast, but it's widely believed that the shipyard responsible for its construction carries a curse. According to many experts, there's a belief that the impact of an iceberg would be significant enough to breach the hull of the Titanic. Since then, the Belfast shipyard has been closed down, but the curse remains.

They were warned of the iceberg... six times

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The staff onboard the Titanic were not only warned once but received a total of six warnings about the presence of icebergs. They were ultimately ignored. The steam liner Mesaba had sent a single warning to the Titanic a mere three hours prior to the fateful collision. In response, the Titanic offered a simple reply of "Thanks." It's believed that Captain Smith never received the warnings.

People lost their lives building the ship

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The iconic Titanic was constructed at the renowned Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. But it came with a price. During the time of its construction, the ship was built in an era where employers didn't prioritize worker safety, making it a hazardous working environment. At least eight men lost their lives while trying to build the iconic ship.

Some books even predicted the disaster

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One urban myth suggests that the tragic event was strangely predicted over a decade prior to the incident. A well-known American writer, Morgan Robertson, gained fame for his novella titled Futility, which was published in 1898. The book describes a captivating tale of a ship named Titan, which tragically collided with an iceberg during its voyage across the vast Atlantic Ocean. In the story, a significant number of passengers meet their demise as a result of insufficient lifeboats available on board. Spooky!

The power needed for the Titanic was immense

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The Titanic required a substantial amount of coal to power its massive engines. The ship was equipped with three four-cylinder engines, each engine responsible for powering a propeller. A dedicated team of 200 firemen were burdened with the duty of shoveling an 600 tonnes of coal into the relentless furnaces.The Titanic also boasted its own on-board electrical plant, which had the remarkable ability to generate more power than the average American power station during that era.

The iceberg came from Greenland

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The iceberg responsible for the Titanic is thought to have broke off from south-west Greenland around 1908. This chunk of ice is believed to have been created by snowfall approximately 100,000 years ago. It remained in the region for several years, melting, until it began its southward journey in early 1912. The colossal structure had grown to approximately 400 feet in length, standing an impressive 100 feet above the surface of the ocean.

The fourth smokestack was never actually needed

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It is indeed true that the inclusion of the fourth smokestack on the ship was unnecessary, and served as a decorative feature to enhance its appeal. In 1911, a notable development in the ship's design was the utilization of four smoke stacks. These ships employed all four stacks to effectively draw heat and smoke away from their massive boilers.

The Titanic was actually an official mail ship

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R.M.S. Titanic actually stood for Royal Mail Ship and boasted its own Sea Post Office. The mail room was efficiently managed by a dedicated team clerks. As part of their responsibilities, the individuals on board the Titanic were tasked with the important duty of organizing and categorizing the extensive amount of mail that had been loaded on. Based on witnesses, it's believed that all clerks tragically lost their lives while attempting to the mail from any water damage.

While it had space for 64 lifeboats, only 16 were stocked

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Provisions were made to accommodate a total of 64 lifeboats onboard the Titanic. However, only 16 were equipped. It's also worth noting that no lifeboats were installed on the upper decks of the ship, a decision made to preserve the unobstructed views enjoyed by the affluent passengers. Without proper knowledge and experience, crews struggled to navigate the complex process of launching lifeboats during the emergency.

There was only 37 seconds between spotting the iceberg and the Titanic hitting it

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The iceberg was first spotted by the lookout Frederick Fleet. In a moment of urgency, he contacted Sixth Officer James Moody. His words became iconic: "Iceberg, right ahead!" In a moment of confusion, the Titanic's course was swiftly changed. In a mere 37 seconds, Fleet was able to detect the impending danger and witness the Titanic's devastating final blow.

Many rich and famous people were meant to be on the Titanic

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It's worth mentioning that celebrities including the founder of The Hershey Company were in possession of tickets for the Titanic, yet ultimately chose not to board the ill-fated ship. In a historical transaction dating back to December 18, 1911, Milton Hershey wrote a check for $300 to White Star Lines. Also, J.P. Morgan, the prominent financier, made the choice to remain in France instead.

It was so expensive to build the Titanic

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The construction of the Titanic lasted over 26 months. The project was incredibly costly. The ship's cost amounted to a staggering $7.5 million, a massive amount at that time. This made it the most expensive ship ever built, surpassing all previous records. After considering exchange rates, inflation, and factors like the Gold Standard, it is estimated that the mentioned amount would be equivalent to approximately $1.66 billion in today's currency.

Many passengers didn't believe it had hit the iceberg

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During the sinking, a number of passengers remained oblivious to the fact that the ship had collided with an iceberg. Passengers in Third Class found themselves on the lowest decks of the ship and experienced the full impact of the collision more intensely. In the First Class cabins, passengers were startled by the collision, but ultimately not massively fazed.

You had to pay to enter Titanic's gym

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The gym onboard the Titanic, while lacking modern fitness equipment, still offered a wide range of equipment suitable for a decent workout. During their sessions in the Titanic's gym, passengers were accompanied by Mr. T.W. McCauley, the ship's physical instructor. Many of the passengers are unlikely to have packed workout clothing though! The gym actually cost a shilling to enter too.

There was meant to be a lifeboat drill the morning of the disaster...

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The story of the Titanic is filled with numerous 'what if?' moments. One notable detail is that a lifeboat drill had been planned to be the exact day the ship tragically sank. The cancellation of the drill at the last minute continues to be a puzzling mystery. One theory suggests that Captain Smith may have cancelled the lifeboat drill on the ill-fated day, as it was a Sunday, possibly to allow passengers to participate in a church service.

The Titanic sunk for over two hours

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The sinking occurred over a frightening span of 160 minutes. The flooding rate of the giant ship was notably inconsistent. During the initial hour following the collision, the ship was quick to flood. Yet, after an hour, there was a noticeable decrease in the speed at which the Titanic was sinking. It was widely believed by many that the worst had passed and that the ship would manage to remain buoyant until assistance could reach them.

If Jack and Rose were real, they'd never have met

Image Source/ James Cameron's Titanic Wiki

I'm sorry to break it to you, but Jack and Rose were never real and the chances of them crossing paths on the Titanic were highly unlikely due to their distinct social classes. In the world of air travel, first-class passengers enjoy a distinct level of luxury and exclusivity. They are given the privilege of being separated from the rest of the passengers, including those in third-class and other classes.

The water was too cold to survive in

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James Cameron's blockbuster artfully depicts the sinking of the Titanic but it's important to note that the notable differences between the film and historical events. After spending approximately 30 minutes in the water, selflessly allowed Rose to rest on a floating door. In addition, Rose's attire consisting of a thin dress and a life jacket proved insufficient in providing warmth, leaving her vulnerable to the freezing temperatures.

The evacuation was absolute chaos

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It wasn't until 40 minutes following the collision that the initial lifeboats were being prepared. The beginning of an inefficient and unorganized process has led historians to blame Captain Smith for his lack of leadership. Witnesses revealed a degree of uncertainty surrounding the crew's instructions regarding the prioritization. As a result, numerous lifeboats were deployed, each with vacant seats. In the case of the initial lifeboat launch, it is worth noting that only 28 individuals occupied the vessel, despite its capacity to accommodate up to 65 people.

The dining onboard was prestigious to say the least

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Two menus have since been recovered, showcasing the dinner options available to the First Class passengers aboard the Titanic. They provide a glimpse into the luxurious dining experience offered to those aboard. The final dinner was an extravagant affair, featuring a decadent 10-course meal. It included oysters and, French foie gras and ice cream, roast beef and perfectly roasted ducklings.

Rich passengers faced the end "like gentlemen"

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Ben Guggenheim was known for his immense wealth, which allowed him to enjoy a First Class suite with his mistress, chauffeur, and a maid. In a remarkable display of bravery, Ben distinguished himself from everyone else by prioritizing the safety of his mistress and maid. Afterward, he and the butler made his way back to his cabin where they changed. The pair were last seen enjoying a leisurely moment on the deck, sipping brandy and indulging in the pleasure of smoking cigars.

There were 12 dogs onboard and 3 actually survived

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In addition to the numerous passengers and crew, there were also 12 dogs onboard. The ship boasted lavish kennels dedicated to its four-legged guests. It was an exclusive privilege reserved solely for First Class passengers. Naturally, these discerning passengers expected nothing less than top-notch facilities for their furry companions. However, the outcome for these loyal companions was devastating, as only three of them managed to survive the ship's sinking.

It was a different song the band played in real life

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In the Titanic film, the Bethany rendition of Nearer, My God, to Thee was played. Yet, according to certain individuals onboard, there were claims that the ship's band hastily abandoned their musical duties and failed to perform. It sounds as though Cameron might have added this in the film for some dramatic effect, and to give it a bit of a soundtrack.

Jack and Rose could have never gotten to the boiler room

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In one scene, Jack and Rose can be seen dashing through the boiler room, causing a worker to be taken aback. The way in which that particular scene unfolded would've been completely different had it taken place within the actual boiler room of the Titanic. Both Jack and Rose would have been covered in a copious amount of soot. It's a good job the scene was fleeting!

Valuable paintings and books are believed to be lost

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The books in a young Harvard graduate's luggage were never found. A significant loss to the literary world was the inclusion of a highly uncommon first edition of Francis Bacon's essays. One Italian man admitted he had a precious memento of his country's national hero tucked away in his luggage. He wasted no time in submitting an insurance claim for the painting, valuing it at an impressive $3,000 which was huge.

The sinking went slightly different than the movie depicts

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The event of the sinking of the Titanic was definitely harrowing, but slightly less dramatic than how it was portrayed in the movie. It' more probable that the boat sank while on an incline and that the scene depicting the Titanic splitting in two didn't really happen. Simulations offer a more accurate depiction of the events that transpired during the sinking of the Titanic.

Flashlights didn't exist like the movie says they did!

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The evacuation of the Titanic was described as frantic and chaotic, raising questions about whether it was even more challenging than what was portrayed in the movie. In several pivotal moments, an officer uses a flashlight to assist in evacuation, but they never had them. The actual darkness would have been considerably more intense than what was portrayed in the movie adaptation.