The Intrigue of RMS Titanic
Written by Paula Moldenhauer
Why are we drawn to stories about the RMS Titanic?1 Its sinking is one of the greatest tragedies of its time. Yet instead of only whispered grief, there remains fascination with everything Titanic, even one hundred years later.
Perhaps we’re drawn to Titanic’s riches. The largest moveable object built by man, she was dubbed one of the greatest achievements of her time. While only 20 percent of London had electricity, this ship was electric from bow to stern. The Titanic’s breathtaking opulence included carved oak staircases, chandeliers, and beautiful crystal. Passengers enjoyed a heated saltwater pool, Turkish baths, lavish lounges, a library, and even a gymnasium boasting an electric camel. The collective assets of her passengers totaled over $600 million. To secure a first-class suite on Titanic, passengers paid as much as $4,350 for the journey—equivalent to an estimated $100,000 in today’s economy.
But Titanic wasn’t the only fancy ship of her day. She had two sister ships, the RMS Olympic, who had a long and illustrious career, and the Britannic, whose intended purpose was interrupted by World War I, during which she served as a hospital ship instead. Many pictures touting the magnificence of the Titanic were actually pictures of Olympic, since most of the pictures taken of Titanic accompanied her to the bottom of the Atlantic. (more…)