The Titanic is an ocean liner wrecked in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912, following a collision with an iceberg, during its maiden voyage. This event probably remains one of the greatest known maritime disasters. Indeed, the Titanic, which was reputed to be a “ship that could not sink,” lost thousands of lives in this tragedy. Therefore, a film played by Leonardo Dicaprio was made to tell the story we all know today. Here, however, are ten surprising facts many don’t know about the Titanic!
Contents
A FILM WAS MADE AFTER 5 DAYS
Dorothy Gibson © Wikipedia / Randy Bryan Bigham Collection
Dorothy Gibson is one of the survivors of the Titanic tragedy. Apprentice to silent movie stars Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton; she gained a good reputation when she boarded the Titanic for New York. However, the fact that she shot a film about the tragedy five days later sparked controversy. Many accuse him of taking advantage of the situation to his edge.
THE CAPTAIN WAS BAD CHOSEN
Le capitaine Edward Smith © Wikipedia / New York Times
Edward Smith was the captain in command of the Titanic during this unfortunate sinking. He was a respected veteran on many voyages, having worked for the White Star Line for 28 years, which also owned the Titanic. He was appointed captain of the Titanic with his new sophisticated technology when he was only used to being in charge of steam sailing ships. This leads to believe that his responsibilities exceeded his skills, he was not up to the task.
VESSELS NEAR THE TITANIC DID NOT HELP HIM
The Titanic and the Olympic © Wikipedia / Robert John Welch (1859-1936), official photographer for Harland & Wolff
During the drama, the Titanic issued distress calls and flares. However, the SS Californian, which was about ten kilometers from the Titanic, did not react to these various signals. The Goelette Samson, which was even closer than the other liner, did not respond either. Some think it was because she was afraid that her illegal activity, which was seal hunting, would be discovered.
DOGS WERE SAVED
Le Titanic © Wikipedia /
F.G.O. Stuart (1843-1923)
It is good to know that 12 dogs were registered as passengers during the crossing of the Titanic. Apart from the few people rescued from the sinking, three of the dogs that got on the boat were also rescued. The masters of two Pomeranians and a Pekingese managed to sneak them into lifeboats.
LIGHTOLLER WAS THE REAL HERO
The Titanic restaurant © Wikipedia / White Star Line – “White Line Triple Screw Steamers” booklet
James Cameron is both the author and director of the film Titanic, whose hero is played by Leonardo Dicaprio. It was 2nd Officer Charles Lightoller. The latter took charge of an overturned lifeboat, took care of 30 passengers and brought them to safety. Following his heroic deed, Lightoller served his country during the First and Second World Wars.
THE CONDITIONS WERE DEPLORABLE
The front section of the Titanic wreck © Wikipedia/Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island (NOAA/IFE/URI).
Among the film’s poignant aspects are the unbearable living conditions that the passengers of the lower class of the Titanic endured. Indeed, their cabins were overcrowded, and the 700 passengers of 3rd class had to share two baths: one for men and one for women.
THE LITTLE INTERESTING TITANIC
The stairs of the Olympic © Wikipedia/Daniel Chiswick at English Wikipedia. Original author Robert John Welch
The Olympic, the Titanic’s twin liner, has always interested more people than the Titanic itself. In 1912, when the Titanic was about to sail, no press was present. So when the media needed footage to show after the unfortunate shipwreck, they used the images during the Olympic trip.
THE FAMILY MUST PAY THE BILLS OF DEAD PARENTS
Lifeboats © Wikimedia/passenger on the Carpathia
We probably all remember a part of the film where a group of men on board refused to leave despite the liner sinking. After the drop, the company that employed one of the group’s missing members sent an invoice to his family. Indeed, the company demanded from the family of the deceased the uniform’s cost that flowed with him.
THE NAZIS HAD THEIR VISION OF HISTORY
The Olympic reception hall © Wikipedia/Harland & Wolff
“Nazi Titanic” is the film version of the Titanic story, made by the Nazis for German audiences as part of a propaganda campaign. This version features the White Star Line owner: J Bruce Ismay, the stupid Jew who caused the shipwreck. For them, the German captain is the hero who could have saved the liner.
THE FORGOTTEN KEY
The iceberg supposedly hit by the Titanic © Wikimedia
Shortly before the liner’s departure, Henry Wilde replaced the crew of 2nd Officer David Blair. The latter subsequently kept the key to the cabinet where the lookout’s binoculars were located. Thus, after setting out to sea, the guard did not have access to his binoculars. He couldn’t see the iceberg in time, which is why the liner hit him.
