Kentucky Woman Shares Childhood Obsession With Researching the Titanic Disaster

OK, to start I have to explain that the smile on my face is NOT because I was happy about the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic.  It's because I was OBSESSED with learning everything I could about what experts have named the most famous shipwreck in history. This was before the James Cameron blockbuster movie was even released, so you can imagine how much I flipped out over that! I saw it probably 6-8 times at the theatre. I was sitting right in the middle of the very front row while my dad sat in the back snoring.

Interesting Titanic Facts

Did you know that the first newspaper headline regarding the Titanic which sunk early in the morning of April 15th, 1912 reported that everyone survived and the ship was being towed to shore? Or that the reason so many people perished was that a lot of passengers believed the claims that the boat was "unsinkable."  Even if they had, there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone on board. That is so horrible. I think part of my desire to learn about this is that it seems to have been preventable in so many ways. Or at least could have not been so tragic.

Titanic Artifacts Exhibition

When the first collection of artifacts was brought up from the depths of the ocean, they were put into an exhibition at the Pyramid in Memphis, TN, so my parents surprised me with a trip.  My mind was BLOWN.

Some of the objects displayed were life jackets, completely intact table settings, antique jewelry, and a pair of crew binoculars.  Could they have been the ones that failed to spot the iceberg? There was even an unopened bottle of champagne.  Much like the one that is now in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Exploring the Titanic Wreckage

Robert Ballard is the name of the explorer who discovered the Titanic approximately 12,500 feet deep off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. After numerous legal battles, RMS Titanic, Inc. is the name of the company that owns and has the right to recover artifacts from the sunken liner.  Out of respect for the 1,500 men, women, and children who lost their lives, there are laws surrounding expeditions that will bring items to the surface for conservation.

The Titanic Tragedy Continues

The Director of Underwater Research for RMS Titanic Inc, Paul-Henri "Mr. Titanic" Nargeolet was unfortunately a member of the five-man crew aboard the Oceangate submersible which recently imploded on a dive to Titanic wreckage. He was a French explorer and the premier Titanic expert having completed 37 successful dives previously and personally salvaging more than 5,500 artifacts.

If you ever have the chance to visit one of the exhibits, I highly recommend it. They thoughtfully honor those lost at sea by telling this legendary story with the utmost respect. All while conserving treasures rescued from the skeleton of the once grandiose luxury liner.

Did you have any obsessions as a child? Historical topics or Pop Culture that had you combing the library for information? Share them with me today and we can chat about them on the morning show!