Have you ever found yourself fascinated by the tragic yet captivating story of the Titanic? I know I have! There’s something about this historical disaster that continues to intrigue people more than a century later.
Whenever my family gets together for game night, Titanic trivia always generates lively discussions. Just last month, my nephew shocked everyone by knowing exactly how many lifeboats were on the ship! That’s what I love about good trivia—it brings people together while teaching us something new.
I’ve compiled over 100 fascinating Titanic trivia questions and answers that are perfect for your next game night, classroom activity, or just to satisfy your curiosity about this infamous ocean liner. These questions range from basic facts to challenging details that even Titanic enthusiasts might struggle with!
Titanic trivia is perfect for so many situations—from classroom activities to family game nights. What makes these questions so engaging is the blend of historical significance with human interest stories. I’ve used these questions during road trips with my kids, and they’ve kept us entertained for hours while also teaching them about this important historical event.
The beauty of Titanic trivia is that it appeals to almost everyone. History buffs appreciate the technical details, movie fans connect with the cinematic portrayals, and everyone can relate to the human stories of courage and tragedy. Plus, testing your knowledge about such a famous disaster gives you a deeper appreciation for the event’s historical significance.
Looking for more brain-teasers? Check out our collection of philosophical questions to deepen your discussions even further!
General Titanic Facts
Let’s start with some basic facts about the Titanic. These questions cover the fundamentals that provide context for the more specific categories that follow. Even if you think you know the Titanic story well, some of these might surprise you!
- When did the Titanic sink? April 15, 1912
- What company owned the Titanic? White Star Line
- What were the names of Titanic’s two sister ships? Olympic and Britannic
- What was Titanic’s nickname? The Unsinkable Ship
- How many funnels (smokestacks) did the Titanic have? Four (though only three were functional; the fourth was for ventilation and aesthetics)
- What was the name of the captain of the Titanic? Captain Edward John Smith
- From which port did the Titanic begin its journey? Southampton, England
- What was the Titanic’s destination? New York City
- On what day of the week did the Titanic hit the iceberg? Sunday
- What was the Titanic’s top speed? 24 knots (about 28 mph or 45 km/h)
- How many passengers and crew were on board the Titanic? 2,224
- Approximately how many people survived the sinking? 706
- What was the Titanic’s total length? 882 feet and 9 inches (269 meters)
- What was the first major ship to reach the Titanic disaster site? RMS Carpathia
- In what ocean did the Titanic sink? North Atlantic Ocean
- What was the date of Titanic’s launch from the shipyard? May 31, 1911
- When was the wreck of the Titanic discovered? September 1, 1985
- Who discovered the wreck of the Titanic? Dr. Robert Ballard and his team
- How many watertight compartments did the Titanic have? 16
- What was Titanic’s hull number? 390
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Construction and Design
The Titanic was a marvel of engineering for its time. These questions explore the ship’s design, construction, and the incredible innovations that made it so remarkable for the early 20th century. I find the technical details absolutely fascinating—it’s amazing what they accomplished without modern technology!
- Where was the Titanic built? Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Which company built the Titanic? Harland and Wolff
- How many years did it take to build the Titanic? About 3 years (1909-1912)
- How much did it cost to build the Titanic in 1912 dollars? $7.5 million (about $200 million today)
- What material was predominantly used to build the Titanic? Steel
- How many propellers did the Titanic have? Three (one in the center and two on the sides)
- What was the weight (gross tonnage) of the Titanic? 46,328 tons
- How many decks did the Titanic have? 9 decks (A through G, plus orlop and tank top)
- What powered the Titanic? 29 boilers and 159 coal furnaces
- How many tons of coal did the Titanic burn per day? About 600-825 tons
- What was the name of Titanic’s main designer? Thomas Andrews
- How many lifeboats was the Titanic equipped with? 20 (16 regular and 4 collapsible)
- How many people could the lifeboats accommodate in total? About 1,178 people
- Why didn’t the Titanic have enough lifeboats for everyone? Regulations were based on ship tonnage, not passenger capacity, and the White Star Line wanted more deck space
- What luxury facility did the Titanic have that was unusual for ships of that time? A swimming pool
- What other recreational facility was available on the Titanic? A gymnasium
- What was the name of the grand staircase on the Titanic? The Grand Staircase
- What material were the railings of the Grand Staircase made of? Oak
- What was on top of the dome above the Grand Staircase? A clock with Honor and Glory crowning Time
- What was special about the Titanic’s rudder? It was the largest ever built at that time (78 feet tall and weighing 100 tons)
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Passengers and Crew
The human stories of the Titanic are what really tug at our heartstrings. I always find myself wondering what I would have done in their situation. These questions highlight the passengers, crew, and the social dynamics that played out during this tragic event.
- How many classes of passenger accommodations were there on the Titanic? Three (First, Second, and Third/Steerage)
- Who was the richest passenger on the Titanic? John Jacob Astor IV
- What was the approximate cost of a first-class parlor suite on the Titanic? $4,350 (equivalent to about $112,000 today)
- What was the cost of a third-class ticket on the Titanic? $36 (equivalent to about $900 today)
- Who was the Titanic’s lookout who first spotted the iceberg? Frederick Fleet
- What famous American businesswoman survived the Titanic disaster? Margaret “Molly” Brown
- What famous British fashion designer was on board and survived? Lady Duff Gordon
- Which shipbuilder who helped design the Titanic went down with the ship? Thomas Andrews
- Who was the youngest passenger on the Titanic? Elizabeth Gladys “Millvina” Dean (2 months old)
- Who was the wealthiest person to die on the Titanic? John Jacob Astor IV
- How many crew members were on the Titanic? Approximately 900
- What was the name of the Titanic’s wireless operator who sent distress signals? Jack Phillips
- Who was the oldest person to survive the Titanic disaster? Eliza Hocking (70 years old)
- Which famous person declined an invitation to travel on the Titanic? Milton Hershey (of Hershey’s chocolate)
- What famous British journalist was aboard and perished in the disaster? W.T. Stead
- Who was the captain of the Carpathia, the ship that rescued Titanic survivors? Captain Arthur Rostron
- What was the survival rate for first-class women? Nearly 97%
- What was the survival rate for third-class men? About 16%
- Which nationality made up the largest group of non-British passengers? Americans
- Which famous American architect and his wife died on the Titanic? Edward and Ida Straus (owners of Macy’s department store)
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The Maiden Voyage
The Titanic’s maiden voyage was supposed to be a triumphant journey showcasing the pinnacle of ocean travel. Instead, it became one of history’s most notorious disasters. These questions focus on the journey itself, before the tragic collision with the iceberg.
- On what date did the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage? April 10, 1912
- What were the Titanic’s ports of call after leaving Southampton? Cherbourg, France and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland
- How many days was the crossing from England to New York expected to take? 7 days
- What was the name of the Titanic’s first-class restaurant? The À La Carte Restaurant
- What was the name of the café exclusively for first-class passengers? Café Parisien
- How many passengers boarded at Southampton? Approximately 1,316
- How many passengers boarded at Cherbourg? Approximately 274
- How many passengers boarded at Queenstown? Approximately 120
- What was the weather like during most of the Titanic’s voyage? Clear and calm
- How many days had the Titanic been at sea when it struck the iceberg? 4 days
- What warning device did the Titanic lack that might have helped spot the iceberg sooner? Binoculars for the lookouts
- How many ice warnings did the Titanic receive on the day of the collision? 6 warnings
- What message did another ship, the Californian, try to send the Titanic about ice in the area? “We are stopped and surrounded by ice”
- What was the Titanic’s response to the Californian’s ice warning? “Shut up, shut up, I am busy”
- What was the last port the Titanic visited before heading into the open Atlantic? Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland
- How fast was the Titanic traveling when it hit the iceberg? 22.5 knots
- What was the name of the Titanic’s newspaper published daily on board? The Atlantic Daily Bulletin
- Which famous millionaire brought his car aboard the Titanic? William Carter (a 1912 Renault)
- How many dogs were brought aboard by first-class passengers? 12 (only 3 survived)
- What special facility did the Titanic have for smokers? The Smoking Room
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The Iceberg and Sinking
The collision with the iceberg and subsequent sinking are the most dramatic parts of the Titanic story. I still get chills thinking about those final hours and the choices people had to make. These questions cover the timeline and details of that fateful night.
- What was the date and time when the Titanic struck the iceberg? April 14, 1912, at 11:40 PM
- How long did it take for the Titanic to sink after hitting the iceberg? 2 hours and 40 minutes
- What time did the Titanic finally sink beneath the waves? 2:20 AM on April 15, 1912
- How high was the iceberg estimated to be above water? About 50-100 feet (15-30 meters)
- What percentage of an iceberg typically remains underwater? About 90%
- Which side of the Titanic hit the iceberg? The starboard (right) side
- How long was the gash in the Titanic’s hull caused by the iceberg? About 300 feet (91 meters)
- What was the first distress signal sent by the Titanic? CQD (Come Quick, Danger)
- What other distress signal did the Titanic use? The new SOS signal
- How many watertight compartments were damaged in the collision? Six compartments
- How many watertight compartments could be flooded without the ship sinking? Four compartments
- What famous order did Captain Smith give to the crew regarding lifeboats? “Women and children first”
- What did the band play as the ship was sinking? Various ragtime tunes and hymns, allegedly concluding with “Nearer, My God, to Thee”
- Who was the leader of the Titanic’s band? Wallace Hartley
- Did any of the band members survive? None survived
- At what temperature was the water when the Titanic sank? About 28°F (-2°C)
- How long could someone survive in water that cold? As little as 15-30 minutes before hypothermia
- What time did the Titanic break into two pieces? Around 2:15 AM, shortly before fully sinking
- How deep is the water where the Titanic sank? About 12,500 feet (3,800 meters)
- What was the last lifeboat to leave the Titanic? Collapsible D
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Rescue and Aftermath
After the sinking came the rescue operation and the long-term aftermath. My great-grandmother actually knew someone who had a relative aboard the Carpathia, and she said the survivors’ stories were absolutely heartbreaking. These questions explore what happened after the ship went down.
- How many people were in the water after the Titanic sank? Around 1,500
- How many of those in the water were rescued alive? Only about 40
- What was the Titanic’s final reported position? 41° 46′ N, 50° 14′ W (though this proved incorrect)
- How long did it take the Carpathia to reach the Titanic’s lifeboats? About 1 hour and 40 minutes after the ship sank
- How many survivors did the Carpathia pick up? 706
- When did the Carpathia arrive in New York with the survivors? April 18, 1912
- Where did most of the bodies recovered from the disaster get buried? Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- How many bodies were recovered in total? About 333 bodies
- What was the name of the first ship specifically sent to recover bodies? CS Mackay-Bennett
- What major safety improvement resulted from the Titanic disaster? Requirement for ships to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers
- What international organization was formed as a result of the disaster? International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
- What U.S. Senate committee investigated the Titanic disaster? The Senate Commerce Committee
- Who chaired this investigation? Senator William Alden Smith
- What British inquiry was held? The British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry
- Who headed the British inquiry? Lord Mersey
- What happened to the White Star Line after the disaster? It eventually merged with Cunard Line in 1934
- What happened to Captain Smith’s body? It was never recovered
- When did the last Titanic survivor die? May 31, 2009 (Millvina Dean, aged 97)
- How much was paid out in insurance claims? About $12 million
- What effect did the sinking have on ship design? Improved watertight compartments, double hulls, lifeboat regulations, and wireless operation
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Titanic in Popular Culture
The Titanic has captured our imagination for over a century, inspiring countless books, movies, exhibits, and more. I still remember watching James Cameron’s movie for the first time—I had no idea so many of the characters were based on real people! These questions explore the Titanic’s impact on popular culture.
- What was the name of the 1997 blockbuster movie about the Titanic? Titanic
- Who directed this film? James Cameron
- Who played the fictional characters Jack and Rose? Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet
- How many Academy Awards did the 1997 Titanic film win? 11 Oscars
- What was the name of the elderly Rose character in the film? Rose Dawson Calvert
- What famous piece of jewelry was featured in the film but was fictional? The Heart of the Ocean
- What song by Celine Dion was the theme for the 1997 film? “My Heart Will Go On”
- Which 1958 film about the Titanic was titled “A Night to Remember”? A British documentary-style film based on Walter Lord’s book
- What was the first film made about the Titanic disaster? Saved from the Titanic (1912)
- Who starred in this first Titanic film? Dorothy Gibson, an actual Titanic survivor
- What Broadway musical about the Titanic won five Tony Awards? Titanic: The Musical
- What permanent Titanic exhibition is located in Belfast? Titanic Belfast
- Where was the largest collection of Titanic artifacts displayed? “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” (touring internationally)
- What natural history museum houses a large permanent Titanic exhibit? The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas
- What controversial salvage company has recovered thousands of artifacts from the Titanic? RMS Titanic, Inc.
- What children’s book series included a book about time travelers on the Titanic? Magic Tree House (“Tonight on the Titanic”)
- What 2012 TV miniseries about the Titanic was written by Julian Fellowes? Titanic
- What famous author wrote a novella about the Titanic in 1976 called “The Raising of the Titanic”? Clive Cussler
- What 2010 video game allowed players to explore a detailed recreation of the Titanic? Titanic: Adventure Out of Time
- What Titanic-themed attraction opened at theme parks? Titanic: The Experience
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Fun Titanic Facts
Let’s end with some fun and surprising facts about the Titanic that don’t fit neatly into the other categories. These are the kinds of quirky details that always make for great conversation starters at parties—I’ve stunned friends with some of these lesser-known facts!
- What luxury was available in first-class cabins that was uncommon in 1912? Private bathrooms
- What famous food was served for the first time on the Titanic? Peanut butter (as a delicacy for first-class passengers)
- How many meals did the kitchen staff prepare on a daily basis? About 6,000 meals
- What was the last meal served in first class? A 10-course dinner including oysters, filet mignon, and poached salmon
- How many chocolates were stocked for the journey? About 7,000
- How many bottles of wine were on board? About 1,500 bottles
- How many libraries were on the Titanic? Two (one for first-class, one for second-class)
- What was unusual about the Titanic’s fourth funnel? It was fake (for appearance only)
- What essential item did the lookouts in the crow’s nest not have? Binoculars
- What unusual job did some crew members have? Rat-catchers
- What animal other than dogs was rescued? A ship’s cat with kittens
- How much did the Titanic’s anchor weigh? 15.5 tons
- How much ice cream was made daily on the Titanic? About 1,000 servings
- What did first-class passengers receive each evening? Daily news printed on the ship’s printing press
- What luxury service was available for first-class passengers? Turkish baths
- How many postcards were mailed from the Titanic? Approximately 7,000
- What historical event did one passenger survive before boarding the Titanic? The 1906 San Francisco earthquake
- What percent of the crew was from one city? About 24% from Southampton
- How many cases of champagne were loaded onto the Titanic? About 20,000 bottles
- What unusual rule did the Titanic have for its radio operators? They were employees of Marconi, not White Star Line
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Final Thoughts
Whew! That was quite a journey through Titanic history, wasn’t it? I hope these 160 trivia questions have given you not just facts but a deeper appreciation for this historic tragedy. The story of the Titanic continues to fascinate us because it touches on so many aspects of human experience—technological ambition, class structures, heroism, tragedy, and survival.
My family has used these questions during our game nights, and they always spark interesting conversations beyond just the answers themselves. There’s something powerful about connecting with history through trivia that makes learning feel more personal and meaningful.
How did you do with these questions? Were there any that surprised you, or perhaps some facts you already knew? I’d love to hear which category you found most interesting! And remember, the next time you’re looking for a conversation starter or an educational activity, Titanic trivia offers the perfect blend of history, drama, and human interest.
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