The RMS Titanic has captivated the world for over a century – and it’s easy to see why. From its jaw-dropping luxury to its heartbreaking end, this ship was already legendary before it even set sail. Yep, this is the ship that launched countless films, songs, books and even scored its own museum – AKA the Titanic Experience in Belfast.
So come join me, fellow explorer, as we dive deep into all the fascinating facts about the Titanic (AKA the ‘unsinkable’ ship that, well, sank).
1. RMS = Royal Mail Steamer
The Titanic’s full name was RMS Titanic, with “RMS” standing for Royal Mail Steamer. This title was only given to ships that carried mail under contract with the British Royal Mail. So yes, Titanic was basically a very glamorous postal worker.
2. It took 26 months to build…
It was the largest passenger ship in the world back then. No wonder it took over 2 years to build. Built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, thousands of workers poured their time into building it.
3. And less than 3 hours to sink
Yeah, all it took was 2 hours and 40 mins. The collision caused a 300-foot-long gash in the hull, enough to doom even the mightiest ship.
4. It cost $7.5 million to build
That’s over a massive $200 million today – and this doesn’t even include the Champagne budget. The White Star Line spared no expense in creating what they marketed as the pinnacle of luxury and engineering.
5. Around 100,000 people attended the launch
The launch of the Titanic was a big deal. In 1911, approximately 100,000 people gathered to watch the ship slide into the water for the first time. Pre-Instagram virality?
6. It had only 20 lifeboats (not even close to enough)
Now this fact about the Titanic is a bit debated. But rumour has it that there were only 20 lifeboats, enough for only about one-third of the people on board.
7. Titanic’s maiden voyage was from Southampton to NYC
The RMS Titanic’s voyage route from Southampton, UK, to New York City. It also stopped in Queenstown (now known as Cobh) in Ireland along the way for its final port of call.
8. The iceberg collision happened on the 14th of April, 1912
Late on the night of 14 April, the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. The ship officially sank in the early hours of 15th April 1912, sealing its place in history.
9. It now lies 2.5 miles underwater
The Titanic wreck rests about 2.5 miles (4 km) beneath the ocean’s surface, off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada. It remained lost until 1985, when it was finally discovered after 73 years.
10. More than 1,500 lives were lost
Of the 2,208 people on board, 1,503 lost their lives – including 815 passengers and 688 crew members. And many more lives were lost when they were building it too. No wonder it’s one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.
11. The ship had next-level amenities
Titanic wasn’t just a ship – it was essentially a floating palace. It came with a heated swimming pool, squash courts, a gym, Turkish baths, and even a barber shop (yup). Oh, and there were 5 kitchens and 60 chefs preparing food from First Class to Third Class.
12. But third-class passengers had to share two bathtubs
One of the wildest facts about the Titanic? This ship – the epitome of luxury – had only 2 bathtubs for 700 people in the third class. That’s a LOT of queueing.
13. The water was -2°C when the Titanic sank
The freezing -2°C waters of the Atlantic made survival nearly impossible for those who ended up in the sea. Hypothermia would have set in within 15 minutes. Yeesh.
14. Charles Joughin survived thanks to whiskey
The ship’s chief baker, Charles Joughin, reportedly drank so much whiskey that it helped him survive the icy water longer than most. Science? Luck? Liquid insulation? You decide.
15. There was a lot of booze on board
They really didn’t skimp on the alcohol on the Titanic. The ship carried 20,000 bottles of beer & stout,15,000 champagne glasses,1500 bottles of wine, 850 bottles of spirits, and the cargo manifest showed a further 63 cases of champagne, 17 cases of cognac, 70 cases of wine and 191 cases of spirits. No joke.
16. Musicians played as the ship sank
The band famously played on deck to calm passengers as chaos unfolded. Their final song? Some say it was ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’, just like in the 1997 movie adaptation, but the truth remains debated.
17. A novel predicted the tragedy
In 1898, literally 14 years before the disaster – Morgan Robertson wrote The Wreck of the Titan, a novel about a massive ship called the Titan that hits an iceberg and sinks. Hands down one of the creepiest facts about the Titanic.
18. Dorothy Gibson survived… and then starred in a movie about it
Silent film actress Dorothy Gibson was one of the survivors. Then just a month later, she starred in Saved from the Titanic, a film based on her real experience. She even wore the same clothes she had on during the sinking (I don’t know how I feel about that).
19. John Jacob Astor was the wealthiest person on board
American business tycoon John Jacob Astor IV was the richest passenger. He helped his pregnant wife into a lifeboat but didn’t survive himself. At the time, he was worth an estimated $87 million (about $2.5 billion today).
20. Milton Hershey had a ticket… but didn’t board
Yup, the inventor of THE Hershey’s chocolate. He had booked a spot on the Titanic but cancelled at the last minute due to a business meeting. Being too busy can be a good thing sometimes I guess.
21. So did J.P. Morgan
The banking mogul J.P. Morgan also had a first-class ticket on the Titanic. But decided not to go due to health reasons. Though others believe he just wasn’t feeling it.
22. And the inventor of the radio too
Guglielmo Marconi (the man behind the invention of the radio) was another notable figure who had a ticket for the Titanic but didn’t board. Another business meeting apparently.
23. The Titanic had its own newspaper
The Atlantic Daily Bulletin was printed onboard every day, with news, stock prices, horse-racing results, and gossip. Because even in 1912, people needed something to scroll through over breakfast. Don’t blame them.
24. A first-class ticket would cost over $100k today
A one-way first-class ticket in 1912 cost around $4,700, which is a casual $120,000 today. Not much right? But for that price, you got the best food, a luxurious suite, and a front-row seat to maritime history.
Image source:Contiki
25. The Titanic movie made over $2 billion
James Cameron’s iconic 1997 Titanic film became a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. The box office revenue surpassed $2 billion.The obsession lives on (and the heart goes on). (Sorry).
Wanna see the Titanic IRL?
Well, sorry. You can’t. It sank, remember? But the next best thing is the Titanic Experience in Belfast. It’s infused with sights, smells, and sounds of the tragedy. And while you’re at it, why not check out our Ireland trips as well?
