15 Obscure Titanic Facts That Will Surprise You
Prepare to embark on a journey back in time as we delve into the lesser-known depths of the Titanic’s history. This article unveils 15 obscure facts about the Titanic that will leave you astounded.
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The RMS Titanic, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering, has captivated the world for over a century. Its tragic maiden voyage, which ended in the icy waters of the North Atlantic in April 1912, has been the subject of countless books, films, and research studies. The ship’s grandeur, the circumstances of its sinking, and the stories of its passengers and crew continue to fascinate us. The following list delves into some of the lesser-known, but equally intriguing facts about the Titanic.
The Titanic’s Gymnasium
The Titanic was equipped with a state-of-the-art gymnasium. It included an electric horse, an electric camel, cycling machines, and a rowing machine. The gym was supervised by Thomas McCauley, who sadly did not survive the sinking.
Dogs on the Titanic
There were 12 dogs on board the Titanic. Of these, only three survived – two Pomeranians and a Pekingese. The dogs were all from first-class passengers. The ship had kennel facilities and even a planned dog show that was to take place on April 15, 1912, the day after the Titanic hit the iceberg.
Wallace Hartley’s Violin
Wallace Hartley was the band leader on the Titanic, and he is famously known for continuing to play his violin as the ship sank. After the sinking, it was widely believed that Hartley’s violin had been lost in the disaster. However, in 2013, the violin was discovered in an attic in the United Kingdom. After rigorous testing and verification, it was confirmed to be Hartley’s. The violin, which was a gift from Hartley’s fiancée Maria Robinson, had an inscription on it that read, “For Wallace, on the occasion of our engagement. From Maria.” The violin was auctioned in 2013 for approximately $1.7 million.
The Titanic’s Last Lunch Menu
The last lunch menu for first-class passengers on the Titanic is one of the few surviving artifacts from the ship. It was saved by passenger Abraham Lincoln Salomon and auctioned off in 2015 for $88,000. The menu included options like grilled mutton chops, corned beef, mashed, fried and baked jacket potatoes, a buffet of fish, ham, and beef, and a selection of cheeses.
The Titanic’s Lookouts Had No Binoculars
The lookouts on the Titanic, Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee, did not have access to binoculars. The ship’s second officer, David Blair, who had been removed from the crew at the last minute, accidentally took a key with him that provided access to the storage locker containing the ship’s binoculars. Without binoculars, the lookouts were unable to see the iceberg until it was too late.
The Cost of a Titanic Ticket
The most expensive first-class suites on the Titanic cost up to $4,350, which is equivalent to around $110,000 in today’s money. The cheapest third-class tickets cost between $15 to $40, equivalent to around $380 to $1,000 today.
The Titanic’s Marconi Room
The Titanic was equipped with a Marconi wireless telegraph system, which was the most advanced communication device of its time. The two Marconi operators, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, sent out numerous distress signals as the ship was sinking.
The Titanic’s Mail
The Titanic was carrying around 3,423 sacks of mail and an estimated 7 million individual items of post. The five postal clerks on board were all killed when the ship sank. They had been trying to save the mail rather than taking to the lifeboats.
The “Unsinkable” Molly Brown
One of the most famous survivors of the Titanic was Margaret Brown, later known as the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown. She was a first-class passenger who helped others board the lifeboats before finally being persuaded to board Lifeboat 6 herself. Once aboard, she took an oar and encouraged the women to row and keep spirits up despite the cold and their circumstances. After the disaster, she used her fame to promote issues she felt passionate about, including women’s rights and labor rights.
The Titanic’s Baker
Charles Joughin, the chief baker on the Titanic, reportedly survived the sinking by drinking a significant amount of whiskey, which may have helped him withstand the freezing temperatures of the water. He was in the water for two hours before being rescued with minimal effects from hypothermia.
The Titanic’s Smokestacks
Of the four smokestacks or funnels that you see in pictures of the Titanic, only three were functional. The fourth was added purely for aesthetic reasons to make the ship appear more impressive.
The Titanic’s Anchor
The Titanic’s central anchor was the largest anchor ever forged by hand. It took 20 horses to haul it through the streets of Belfast.
The Titanic’s Artifacts
Thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the Titanic’s wreck site, including clothing, jewelry, dishes, silverware, eyeglasses, and even a 1912 penny. These items provide a glimpse into the lives of the passengers on the ill-fated voyage.
The Titanic’s Coal Consumption
The Titanic burned approximately 600 tons of coal a day, hand-shoveled into its furnaces by a crew of 176 men. Almost 100 tons of ash were ejected into the sea each day.
The Titanic’s Iceberg Warnings
The Titanic received multiple iceberg warnings from other ships over the wireless telegraph, but not all of these warnings were relayed to the bridge. The final warning was received approximately an hour before the collision but was not relayed to the ship’s officers.
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