The Titanic is one of history’s most renowned ships. While it’s widely known that the Titanic tragically sank on its maiden voyage, there are numerous lesser-known facts about the vessel. Here are 10 intriguing details about the Titanic that many people might not be aware of.
1. The iconic “Heart of the Ocean” necklace from Titanic continues to captivate audiences decades after the film’s release.
While the necklace in the movie was a stunning blue diamond, the actual prop used during filming was made with gold settings and colored glass instead of precious gems. This cinematic piece inspired real-life recreations, including a 171-carat sapphire version worn by Celine Dion at the 1998 Oscars. The allure of this fictional jewel has persisted, with modern interpretations still making waves.
In 2024, singer Sam Smith wore a dazzling recreation featuring a 40-carat blue topaz surrounded by diamonds during a BBC Proms performance, proving that the Titanic’s most famous piece of jewelry remains an enduring symbol of romance and tragedy in popular culture.
2. Third-class passengers had to share just two bathtubs among them.
Despite having better accommodations than on many other ships of the time, the third-class quarters on the Titanic were still extremely cramped and minimalistic. According to ABC News, between 700 and 1,000 third-class passengers had to share only two bathtubs.
3. The cheese from the Titanic remains surprisingly edible.
The cheese from the Titanic remains surprisingly edible. When the Titanic wreckage was discovered, most of the food that had sunk with it had deteriorated. However, Holger W. Jannasch notes that some cheese might still be intact. According to Jannasch, some foodstuffs like cheese are protected from decay by the microbial activity that starts the degradation process. If kept in sealed containers, cheese might have remained relatively unchanged over time. The microbes that turn milk or whey into cheese create either highly acidic or highly alkaline conditions, which help preserve these protein-rich foods from further spoilage.
4. Game of Thrones was filmed in the same studio where the Titanic was originally constructed.
5. Matthew McConaughey could’ve played Jack in Titanic.
Matthew and Kate Winslet first appeared on-screen together during a test recording to evaluate their on-screen chemistry. After the shoot, Matthew received a congratulatory hug from a crew member, leading him to believe he had secured the role. “I really thought I got the part,” he recalled.
However, the part ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jack Dawson was chosen for his romantic, wholesome, and charismatic presence, which perfectly matched the character’s vision.
6. The story of the Navratil brothers
Michel and Edmond Navratil were young brothers who were kidnapped by their father and placed on the Titanic as he sought to start a new life in America without their mother. Despite the ship’s tragic fate, the brothers, who were just 2 and 4 years old at the time, survived the disaster. Their mother saw their photo in a newspaper and was subsequently reunited with them. The two boys were the only unaccompanied children rescued from the ill-fated ship.
