One of the most persistent myths about the Titanic is that it was dubbed “unsinkable.” While it is true that the ship was designed with advanced safety features, including watertight compartments and remotely activated watertight doors, the claim that it was marketed as “unsinkable” is largely a result of media and popular culture exaggeration after the disaster. While some promotional materials suggested a high level of safety, the “unsinkable” label became widely attributed to the Titanic only after it sank.
Another misconception is that the ship was under-speeding carelessly through an iceberg-laden area. In reality, at the time of the collision, the ship was traveling at a speed considered standard for ocean liners of its class. However, the decision to maintain speed despite iceberg warnings is often criticized in hindsight as overly confident and a contributing factor to the disaster.
It’s also a common belief that the ship’s construction or materials were of poor quality, contributing to its sinking. Investigations and studies have shown that the materials used were in line with the best practices of the time. The real issue was the inadequacy of the lifeboat capacity—for which the Titanic complied with regulations of the era that underestimated the requirement for lifeboats for all passengers.
Another myth is that a cursed mummy was aboard the Titanic, causing its doom. This tale of a so-called “Unlucky Mummy” being in the ship’s cargo is pure fiction. This rumor started in 1900s London and persisted over time, but there is no historical evidence to support such claims.
A more sensationalized myth is concerning the response of the crew and passengers. Among the often-told tales is that of passengers and crew behaving chaotically or selfishly during evacuation. While panic ensued, many accounts show remarkable heroism, with passengers like Isidor and Ida Straus choosing to stay aboard together and crew members working tirelessly to save others.
Finally, the movie depiction of Titanic has led to the belief that various dramatic narratives, such as the love story between Jack and Rose, were real or based on actual events. Such narratives are fictional, albeit inspired by true stories and historical figures present on the vessel.