The Titanic – Futility

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Robertson’s novel features a ship, the Titan, ‘..which was the largest craft afloat and the greatest of the works of men’. No expense was spared on making the ship luxurious and the steward’s cabin is described as being ‘equal to that of a first class hotel.’

The latest technology was used in the building of the Titan including the addition of ‘..nineteen water-tight compartments.. With nine compartments flooded the ship would still float, and as no known incident of the sea could possibly fill this many, the steamship Titan was considered practically unsinkable.’

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Because Titan was considered unsinkable she only carried the minimum number of lifeboats required by law – 24 – able to carry 500 people. This was not enough for the 2000 passengers on board.

Morgan Robertson’s Titan hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean and sank. 2987 people died in the disaster.

Morgan Robertson republished Futility after the sinking of the Titanic with some notable changes suggesting that he was trying to cash in on the Titanic disaster.

Nevertheless, the similarities between The Titan and Titanic are striking:

1898 Version 1912 Version Titanic Nationality British British British Length 800ft Loading... Loading... 800ft 882.5ft Metal Steel Steel Steel Loading... Loading... Weight 45,000 70,000 66,000 Loading... Loading... Horse Power 40,000 75,000 46,000 Propellors 3 3 3 Masts 2 Loading... Loading... 2 2 Watertight compartments 19 19 16 Number of Lifeboats 24 24 20 Loading... Loading... Passenger Capacity 3,000 3,000 3,000 Passengers on board 3,000 3,000 2,228 Speed at Impact 25 knots Loading... Loading... 25 knots 22.5 knots Time of Impact near midnight near midnight 11.40pm Loading... Loading... Point of Impact Starboard Starboard Starboard Loading... Loading... Month April April April Number of Survivors 13 13 705

Did the book predict the Titanic disaster? Uncanny, but true!

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This article is part of our larger selection of posts about the Titanic. To learn more, click here for our comprehensive guide to the Titanic.