The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 remains one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. While most people know the basics—the iceberg, the “unsinkable” claim, the tragic loss of life—there are countless lesser-known details that make the story even more fascinating. Here are six unexpected facts about the Titanic that might surprise you.
1. The Ship Had a Near-Collision Before It Even Left Port
Most people assume the Titanic’s first brush with disaster was the iceberg, but the ship almost had a serious accident before its maiden voyage even began. As it departed Southampton on April 10, 1912, the sheer size of the Titanic created a suction effect that caused the nearby SS New York to break free from its moorings. The smaller ship swung dangerously close to the Titanic, coming within about four feet of a collision. Quick action from a tugboat and the Titanic’s own engines narrowly avoided what could have been a disastrous start to the voyage.
2. There Was a Secret Near-Identical Sister Ship
The Titanic wasn’t alone—it was part of a trio of Olympic-class ocean liners built by the White Star Line. The Olympic, launched in 1911, was nearly identical in design, and the Britannic, completed later, was intended to be even grander. Ironically, the Olympic had its own share of accidents, including a collision with a British warship in 1911. The Britannic, repurposed as a hospital ship during World War I, sank in 1916 after hitting a mine. Some historians believe that if the Titanic had followed the Olympic’s post-accident modifications (like adding more lifeboats), its fate might have been different.
3. The Last Surviving Meal Menu Sold for Over $100,000
A first-class lunch menu from the Titanic’s final day—April 14, 1912—was discovered in the pocket of a passenger’s coat, which was later returned to his family. The menu listed extravagant dishes like oysters, filet mignon, and roasted pigeon. In 2015, this rare artifact sold at auction for $125,000, offering a haunting glimpse into the luxury passengers enjoyed just hours before disaster struck.
4. A Novel Predicted the Titanic’s Sinking—14 Years Earlier
In 1898, author Morgan Robertson published Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan, a novella about an “unsinkable” ocean liner named Titan that hits an iceberg and sinks in the North Atlantic. The eerie similarities—down to the ship’s size, lack of lifeboats, and even the month of the disaster (April)—have led many to call it an uncanny prophecy. While likely a coincidence, the parallels remain chilling.
5. The Ship’s Band Played Until the Very End—But Not “Nearer, My God, to Thee”
One of the most enduring myths is that the Titanic’s band heroically played the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as the ship went down. Survivors’ accounts, however, suggest the final song was actually the upbeat ragtime tune “Autumn.” The band did keep playing to calm passengers, but their exact last song remains debated. All eight musicians tragically perished.
6. A Japanese Survivor Was Branded a Coward in His Home Country
Masabumi Hosono, the only Japanese passenger on the Titanic, survived by boarding a lifeboat—an act that later brought him shame in Japan. At the time, cultural expectations demanded that men go down with the ship rather than take seats from women and children. Hosono kept his survival a secret until a letter he wrote to his wife was discovered, detailing his guilt. He was publicly criticized and even lost his government job, though historians now view him more sympathetically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people died on the Titanic? A: Of the 2,224 passengers and crew, approximately 1,500 perished in the disaster.
Q: Why were there so few lifeboats? A: The Titanic actually carried more lifeboats than legally required at the time. Regulations were outdated, based on ship tonnage rather than passenger count.
Q: Could the Titanic have avoided the iceberg? A: Some experts argue that if the ship had hit the iceberg head-on instead of swerving, it might have stayed afloat longer, allowing more evacuations.
Q: Are there still artifacts at the wreck site? A: Yes, but removing them is controversial. The wreck is deteriorating rapidly due to bacteria, and many argue it should be left as a gravesite.
The Titanic’s story is filled with strange twists, forgotten details, and haunting “what-ifs.” Even over a century later, new discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of that fateful night.