The SS Californian was a British steamship that would become forever known as the ship that could’ve helped the Titanic, but didn’t. It is said that the Californian was near the Titanic the night the crash happened, and due to multiple misunderstandings, failed to come to its aid.
The crew on the Californian claimed their radio was shut off the night of the crash, and that the ship’s captain mistook the Titanic’s emergency flares for fireworks. By the time they got the messages, it was already too late. Ironically, three years later, the SS Californian sank after it was torpedoed by a German submarine in WWI.
The Famous 1997 Film Quote That Was Actually Said in Real Life
The famous 1997 film "Titanic" by James Cameron became a landmark of cinema history. And one of the most memorable quotes in the film was said by the character of Benjamin Guggenheim, who was an actual passenger of the RMS Titanic in 1912. But what many don't know, is that the real Guggenheim actually said this in real life.
When the ship was rapidly sinking, Guggenheim refused to take a life vest and said, "We are dressed in our best and are prepared to go down as gentlemen". Furthermore, a New York Times article that came out in April 1912 stated that Guggenheim had asked a steward to tell his wife in NY, "I've done my best in doing my duty."
More than 13 Couples Were on Their Honeymoon
The Titanic was a technological marvel when it was built. It was said to be the most luxurious ship ever built, and so, many couples decided it was the perfect way to celebrate their honeymoon.
According to a book published in 2011, titled "Titanic Love Stories", there were at least 13 couples celebrating their honeymoon on the Titanic. One of those couples was wealthy American businessman John Jacob Astor IV and his wife Madeleine.
The Woman that Sank With the Ship and Survived
Of the approximately 700 survivors of the Titanic, one of them had a truly incredible story. A woman named Rhoda Mary Abbott, who was a third-class passenger actually went down with the Titanic when it sunk and still managed to survive. Abbott is the only female passenger on the ship that survived after going down with it when it sank.
Apparently, she was on the stern when the ship sank and the ocean current swept her away from the vacuum caused by the sinking. She managed to come back up to the surface and swim over to a lifeboat close by. Unfortunately, her two young sons weren't as lucky, and despite them being right by her when the ship went down, neither of the boys survived.
The Film Cost More to Produce Than the Ship Did to Build
Now, this is an interesting and quite astounding bit of trivia about the Titanic. Even when adjusted for economic inflation, the 1997 film "Titanic" cost more to produce than it cost to actually build the real-life RMS Titanic.
It is estimated that, back in 1912, the Titanic cost approximately $7.5 million to build, which would be roughly $190 million today. As for the film, it cost $200 million to produce in 1997, which would equal around $360 million nowadays!