The RMS Titanic, set sail on her maiden voyage on April 10, 1912; she never reached her destination. Believed to be unsinkable, the Titanic hit an ice berg on the second day of her voyage and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in less than 3 hours. More than 1,523 lives were lost, in what is still considered as the worst maritime disaster in history; only 328 bodies were ever recovered. The remaining 700 survivors were rescued by the RMS Carpathia. The huge loss of life was later blamed on the fact that the Titanic did not carry enough life boats to accommodate all of its passengers and crew. Others believe the ship was cursed and thus sank on her maiden voyage.
Over the years the quest to unveil the many mysteries surrounding the Titanic have often led explorers to attempt to raise the Titanic. Though this task has not been achieved yet, Dr. Robert D. Ballard led an expedition to find the Titanic’s wreck and was successul in doing so in 1985. Movies inspired by the Titanic include Jerry Jameson’s ‘Raising the Titanic’ (1980) and the 1953 Titanic movie by Jean Negulesco. But it was James Cameron’s 1997 Titanic movie that is most popular. The most expensive movie of that time, the Titanic is also the most successful film of all time, picking up a record 11 Oscars. A romantic story revolving around the Titanic’s fateful voyage, the movie refreshed the memories of those lost on board and the brave passengers who survived the tragedy.
Throughout the years, countless explorers and scientists have tried to unravel the mysteries of the Titanic. Though some facts have come to light, most secrets are yet to be ascertained. It is perhaps the mystery of the Titanic that keeps the interest in this old tale alive. |
