12 Titanic Secrets Revealed: Stories from the Doomed Voyage. Over a century after its tragic sinking, the RMS Titanic remains an enigmatic vessel, shrouded in mystery and fascination. Beyond the catastrophic iceberg collision and heart-wrenching stories of loss, lies a treasure trove of lesser-known tales. From courageous acts of heroism to astonishing coincidences, and from opulent luxuries to poignant personal stories, this iconic ship’s history is ripe for rediscovery. Dive into the untold stories of the Titanic’s doomed voyage, where 12 long-hidden secrets await, revealing the human drama, technological marvels, and unforgettable moments that defined history’s most infamous maritime disaster.
1. It is rumored that a few men dressed up as women to get a spot on a lifeboat.
It is rumored that a few men including J. Bruce Ismay, William Carter, Bishop, and William T. Sloper had dressed up as a woman to escape the ship. While the rumors were never confirmed, they did follow the men through the end of their lives.
2. At least 13 couples were celebrating their honeymoon on the Titanic.
According to “Titanic Love Stories”, there were at least 13 couples celebrating their honeymoons, or returning home, on the ship.
3. A novella called “Futility”, which was published 14 years before the Titanic set sail, seemed to have predicted the event.
“Futility”, a novella written by American author Morgan Robertson was published in 1898, 14 years before the Titanic set sail. The novella focuses on the sinking of a fictional ship called the Titan. According to Time, there’s an eerie number of similarities between the ship’s sinking in “Futility” and the Titanic in real life. Many started to claim the author of the novella to be a psychic but he explained that the uncanny similarities were simply a product of his extensive knowledge, saying, “I know what I’m writing about, that’s all”.
4. The movie Titanic ended up costing more to produce than it cost to build the real Titanic, which was the largest and most luxurious ship at the time, even when adjusted for inflation.
The 1997 blockbuster’s budget was $200 million. The Titanic, however, was estimated to have cost around $7.5 million in 1912, which, according to the US Department of Labor’s inflation calculator, would be around $190 million.
5. The last dinner served on the Titanic (to first-class passengers) was a whopping 10 courses.
On the fateful evening of April 14, 1912, first-class passengers on the RMS Titanic indulged in a majestic 10-course dinner. The extravagant meal, crafted by Chef Charles Proctor, featured delicacies such as oysters, consommé, filet mignon, roasted duck, and lobster à l’Américaine. Other courses included foie gras, sirloin of beef, lamb, and an array of decadent desserts, including Waldorf pudding and éclairs. This epicurean feast was a testament to the Titanic’s luxurious standards, but tragically, it would be the last for many onboard.
6. One of the most famous survivors was the “Unshakable” Molly Brown. She later ran for US Senate.
Margaret Brown survived the Titanic, then championed women’s suffrage, served in WWI’s Red Cross, and sought a Senate seat.
7. A lifeboat drill that was supposed to take place the day of the sinking was canceled by the ship’s captain.
Historical reports show that every Sunday there was a lifeboat drill, except for April 14, 1912, which was the last Sunday the Titanic would ever see. To this day, it is unclear as to what caused the captain to call off the lifeboat drill.
8. The 700+ third-class passengers had to share two bathtubs.
While the third-class accommodations on the Titanic were much better than those on an average ship, they were still pretty rough. According to some estimates, the total number of third-class passengers ranged from 700 to 1,000, and they all had to share two bathtubs.
9. The ship’s crew had locked the binoculars in a cabinet, and nobody could find the key, forcing lookouts Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee to rely solely on their eyesight.
A crucial oversight compounded the Titanic’s doom. On April 14, 1912, lookouts Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee vigilantly scanned the horizon for icebergs without binoculars. Someone had locked the ship’s binoculars in a cabinet, and inexplicably, no one could find the key. This glaring omission delayed the spotting of the deadly iceberg, precious minutes that might have altered the course of history. The lack of accessible binoculars hindered the lookouts’ ability to detect the danger in time, forever changing the Titanic’s fate.
10. John Astor IV, the world’s wealthiest man, boarded the Titanic as its richest passenger.
John Jacob Astor IV, of the Astor family, boarded the Titanic as its richest passenger and the world’s wealthiest. The crew locked the binoculars, misplacing the key, forcing lookouts to rely solely on their eyesight. However, a successful businessman, inventor, and member of the New York elite, Astor traveled with his pregnant second wife, Madeleine. Tragically, Astor’s vast wealth couldn’t save him from the disaster; he went down with the ship, leaving behind a legacy and a family forever changed.
11. The ship’s band played music right until the very end to try and calm passengers.
According to BBC, the musicians played for more than two hours while passengers were struggling to get into lifeboats. The music likely helped calm people down during those stressful hours.
12. Popular media agencies including the Daily Mail, the Belfast Telegraph, and The World, mistakenly reported that everyone aboard the ship had survived.
Newspapers racing to break the story spread false information, giving families and loved ones fleeting, false hope. American newspapers like The New York Times, however, were able to take advantage of the time difference, and their headlines were more accurate.
