Astounding Titanic Facts You’ve Never Heard Before

Published October 21, 2015
Updated April 23, 2025

These little-known Titanic facts are sure to surprise you--and give you the chills.

When the Titanic first hit the iceberg, large chunks of ice went flying to the forward deck as carefree passengers tossed the ice around in a spontaneous game of ice football. They were, for the moment, oblivious to the impending disaster.

Five days earlier, on April 10, 1912, the Titanic had left the port of Southampton, England, headed for New York. On April 15, the behemoth struck the iceberg, split in two, and sank deep into the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.

The iceberg was actually spotted one minute before the collision, but First Officer Murdoch waited 30 seconds to give orders. If it weren't for this fatal delay, the Titanic might have avoided the iceberg altogether.

The basic story of the Titanic is a familiar one, but from that game of ice football to the reason a nearby ship didn't come to the rescue to the very reason the Titanic sank (it isn't exactly what you think), these little-known Titanic facts are sure to surprise you--and give you the chills.

Building The Titanic
History Uncovered Podcast
Episode 64: The Titanic, Part 1: Building The ‘Unsinkable Ship’
It was supposed to be the greatest ship in history, a gargantuan marvel of modern engineering and unparalleled luxury. But the Titanic was doomed long before it ever set sail.

After learning this interesting facts about the RMS Titanic, see James Cameron's video explanation of how the Titanic sank and take a look at some stunningly beautiful icebergs (that have never sunk a ship) from around the world. Then, go beyond the Titanic to discover five sunken ships with even more fascinating stories.

author
John Kuroski
author
Based in Brooklyn, New York, John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of expertise include modern American history and the ancient Near East. In an editing career spanning 17 years, he previously served as managing editor of Elmore Magazine in New York City for seven years.
editor
Jaclyn Anglis
editor
Based in Brooklyn, New York, Jaclyn Anglis is the senior managing editor at All That's Interesting, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Master's degree in journalism from the City University of New York and a dual Bachelor's degree in English writing and history from DePauw University. In a career that spans 11 years, she has also worked with the New York Daily News, Bustle, and Bauer Xcel Media. Her interests include American history, true crime, modern history, and science.
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Kuroski, John. "Astounding Titanic Facts You’ve Never Heard Before." AllThatsInteresting.com, October 21, 2015, https://allthatsinteresting.com/titanic-facts. Accessed August 15, 2025.