RMS Titanic departing Southampton on April 10, 1912. Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Titanic Quiz

How much do you know about Titanic?

Welcome to the Titanic Trivia Challenge! Embark on a journey through history as we explore the incredible story of the RMS Titanic. This legendary ocean liner, once heralded as unsinkable, met a tragic fate on its maiden voyage in 1912.

As we navigate through the facts and mysteries surrounding this monumental event, you will test your knowledge on a range of topics, from the ship's construction to the fateful iceberg encounter, and the aftermath that ensued.

Are you ready to dive into the depths of the Titanic's story? Let's set sail into the past and uncover the truths that lie beneath the waves.

Start the Titanic quiz

Questions and answers about Titanic

• What year did the Titanic sink?

  The Titanic sank on the early morning of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. The ship, deemed "unsinkable," tragically failed to complete its first journey, becoming one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

  • 1912
  • 1910
  • 1911
  • 1913

• On which voyage was the Titanic when it sank: its first, second, or third?

  The Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, which was its first. It left Southampton on April 10, 1912, and was bound for New York City when the tragedy occurred, making this disastrous event all the more poignant because it was the ship's inaugural journey.

  • First
  • Second
  • Third
  • Fourth

• How many smokestacks did the Titanic have?

  The Titanic had four smokestacks, but only three of them were functional. The fourth smokestack was added for aesthetic reasons and to make the ship look more impressive and powerful. This design choice was typical of ocean liners at that time.

  • Four
  • Three
  • Two
  • Five

• What was the name of the Titanic's sister ship?

  The Titanic had two sister ships, the Olympic and the Britannic. The Olympic was the first of the class to be built and had a career spanning 24 years. The Britannic was launched after the Titanic sank and was later converted into a hospital ship during World War I.

  • Olympic
  • Atlantic
  • Empress
  • Majestic

• Which company owned the Titanic?

  The Titanic was owned by the White Star Line, a prominent British shipping company. It competed with other companies like Cunard for the lucrative transatlantic passenger service. The White Star Line aimed to emphasize comfort and luxury in their ships, including the Titanic.

  • White Star Line
  • Cunard Line
  • Red Star Line
  • Black Star Line

• From which city did the Titanic start its maiden voyage?

  The Titanic began its ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on April 10, 1912. Southampton was one of the leading ports in England and a common starting point for transatlantic journeys at the time.

  • Southampton
  • Liverpool
  • Belfast
  • London

• What was the primary material used in the construction of the Titanic?

  The primary material used in the construction of the Titanic was steel. This included a steel frame, steel plates for the hull, and a double-bottomed hull, which was a new safety feature at the time. The use of steel made the Titanic one of the largest and most robust ships of its era.

  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Wood
  • Aluminum

• Who was the captain of the Titanic?

  Captain Edward John Smith was the seasoned and respected captain of the Titanic. He had a long and distinguished career with the White Star Line and was chosen to command the Titanic on its maiden voyage, which was widely rumored to be his final voyage before retirement.

  • Edward John Smith
  • William Thomas Turner
  • Charles Lightoller
  • Harold Bride

• In what ocean did the Titanic sink?

  The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 370 miles south-southeast off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It struck an iceberg and sank in one of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters in modern history.

  • North Atlantic Ocean
  • South Atlantic Ocean
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Indian Ocean

• How many people could the Titanic's lifeboats hold in total?

  The Titanic's lifeboats had a total capacity of about 1,178 people. Despite the ship carrying over 2,200 passengers and crew, there were not enough lifeboats for everyone on board, contributing to the high death toll when the ship sank.

  • 1,178
  • 2,200
  • 800
  • 1,500

• Which movie, released in 1997, is based on the Titanic's story?

  The 1997 movie "Titanic," directed by James Cameron, is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic. It became one of the highest-grossing films of all time and won numerous Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

  • Titanic
  • The Unsinkable Ship
  • Ocean of Dreams
  • Heart of the Ocean

• Who directed the 1997 Titanic movie?

  James Cameron directed the 1997 movie "Titanic." Known for his meticulous attention to detail and groundbreaking use of special effects, Cameron's film blended historical facts with a fictional love story, contributing to its massive success.

  • James Cameron
  • Steven Spielberg
  • Christopher Nolan
  • Michael Bay

• Which two actors played the lead roles in the 1997 Titanic movie?

  In the 1997 film "Titanic," the lead roles were played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. DiCaprio portrayed Jack Dawson, a penniless artist, while Winslet played Rose DeWitt Bukater, a young woman from an aristocratic family.

  • Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet
  • Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts
  • Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
  • Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow

• Was the necklace featured in the movie Titanic, known as the "Heart of the Ocean," real or fictional?

  The "Heart of the Ocean" necklace featured in the 1997 Titanic movie is fictional. It was created for the film and plays a central role in the movie's plot. While the necklace is not real, it is often believed to be inspired by the Hope Diamond.

  • Fictional
  • Real, owned by a Titanic passenger
  • Real, owned by the ship's captain
  • Real, a gift from the shipbuilder

• What year was the wreckage of the Titanic discovered?

  The wreckage of the Titanic was discovered on September 1, 1985. The discovery was made by a joint American-French expedition led by oceanographer Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel. The wreck lies at a depth of about 12,500 feet in the North Atlantic Ocean.

  • 1985
  • 1977
  • 1992
  • 1980

• What was the Titanic's intended final destination?

  The Titanic's intended final destination was New York City, USA. It embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, with stops in Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, before heading across the Atlantic to New York.

  • New York City
  • Boston
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington D.C.

• How many passengers and crew were on board the Titanic?

  The Titanic had approximately 2,240 passengers and crew on board during its maiden voyage. This number includes passengers from all classes and the ship's crew, ranging from the captain to the kitchen staff and engine room workers.

  • 2,240
  • 1,520
  • 3,015
  • 1,880

• How long did it take for the Titanic to sink after hitting the iceberg?

  After striking the iceberg, it took about 2 hours and 40 minutes for the Titanic to sink. The ship hit the iceberg at approximately 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912, and completely sank beneath the ocean's surface by around 2:20 am on April 15, 1912.

  • 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • 3 hours
  • 4 hours

• What was the original launch date of the Titanic?

  The Titanic was launched on May 31, 1911, from the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. However, it's important to note that this was the date of its launch into the water for the first time, not the start of its maiden voyage.

  • May 31, 1911
  • April 10, 1912
  • June 15, 1911
  • March 20, 1912

• Which class of passengers (first, second, or third) had the highest survival rate?

  First-class passengers had the highest survival rate on the Titanic. Their survival rate was significantly higher than that of second or third-class passengers, largely due to closer proximity to the lifeboats and other factors such as societal norms of the era.

  • First
  • Second
  • Third
  • Crew

• What was the original cost to build the Titanic?

  The original cost to build the Titanic was about $7.5 million in 1912, which would be substantially more in today's currency due to inflation. This immense cost was reflective of the Titanic's size, luxury, and the advanced technology used in its construction.

  • $7.5 million
  • $5 million
  • $10 million
  • $3 million

• Name the two main dining rooms on the Titanic.

  The Titanic featured two main dining rooms: The First-Class Dining Saloon and the Second-Class Dining Room. The First-Class Dining Saloon, located on D Deck, was an opulent, large room spanning the width of the ship. The Second-Class Dining Room, located on F Deck, was more modest but still elegantly furnished.

  • First-Class Dining Saloon and Second-Class Dining Room
  • Grand Ballroom and First-Class Lounge
  • Third-Class Dining Hall and Second-Class Dining Room
  • First-Class Restaurant and Café Parisien

• What was the name of the Titanic's wireless operator who sent the distress signals?

  The Titanic's senior wireless operator who sent the distress signals was Jack Phillips. He worked tirelessly to send out SOS messages to nearby ships once it became clear the Titanic was sinking, playing a crucial role in the rescue of many passengers.

  • Jack Phillips
  • Harold Bride
  • John George Phillips
  • Charles Lightoller

• How many Oscar awards did the 1997 Titanic movie win?

  The 1997 movie "Titanic" directed by James Cameron won 11 Oscars. It was nominated for 14 Academy Awards and tied with "Ben-Hur" and later "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" for the most Oscars won by a single film.

  • 11
  • 8
  • 10
  • 13

• What type of animal was the last living survivor of the Titanic?

  The last living survivor of the Titanic was a dog, specifically a Pekingese named Sun Yat-sen. The dog was owned by Henry and Myra Harper of the Harper & Brothers publishing firm. Sun Yat-sen was carried onto a lifeboat by Myra and survived the disaster.

  • Dog
  • Cat
  • Bird
  • Horse

• Which famous American businessman cancelled his trip on the Titanic at the last minute?

  J.P. Morgan, the American financier and businessman, cancelled his trip on the Titanic at the last minute. He had a private suite and promenade deck on the ship but decided not to go, a decision that likely saved his life.

  • J.P. Morgan
  • John D. Rockefeller
  • Henry Ford
  • Andrew Carnegie

• What was the maximum speed the Titanic could reach?

  The maximum speed of the Titanic was about 23 knots (around 26.5 mph or 42.6 km/h). The ship was one of the fastest of its time, but it was not designed to break speed records; instead, its emphasis was on luxury and size.

  • 23 knots
  • 20 knots
  • 25 knots
  • 30 knots

• What was the name of the ship that rescued Titanic's survivors?

  The RMS Carpathia was the ship that came to the rescue of the Titanic's survivors. After receiving the distress signal, the Carpathia traveled through dangerous ice fields to reach the survivors, saving over 700 lives.

  • RMS Carpathia
  • SS Californian
  • HMS Britannic
  • RMS Olympic

• How many ice warnings did the Titanic receive before the collision?

  The Titanic received seven ice warnings from other ships on the day it struck the iceberg. These warnings indicated the presence of ice in the Titanic's path, but they were not fully heeded, contributing to the disaster.

  • Seven
  • Four
  • Three
  • Five

• What is the name of the deep-sea explorer who led the team that discovered the Titanic wreck?

  Robert Ballard, an American oceanographer and former naval officer, led the expedition that discovered the wreck of the Titanic in 1985. His discovery brought new attention to the Titanic tragedy and initiated further exploration and research of the site.

  • Robert Ballard
  • James Cameron
  • Jacques Cousteau
  • Don Walsh

• Was there a real J. Dawson who died on the Titanic, as depicted in the movie?

  There was a real J. Dawson who died on the Titanic, but his story differs from the fictional character in the movie. The real J. Dawson was Joseph Dawson, a member of the ship's crew who worked as a trimmer in the engine room.

  • True: J. Dawson died
  • False: J. Dawson is still alive
  • False: J. Dawson didn't die in real life, he is a fictional character
  • False: J. Dawson survived

• What was the name of the Titanic's onboard newspaper?

  The Titanic had its own onboard newspaper called the "Atlantic Daily Bulletin." It was printed each day aboard the ship and included news, advertisements, stock prices, and information about the Titanic's voyage.

  • Atlantic Daily Bulletin
  • Titanic Times
  • Ocean Chronicle
  • Maritime Daily

• How many children from first class survived the sinking of the Titanic?

  Loraine Allison was the only child from First and Second Class who perished in the Titanic disaster. This tragic loss stands in contrast to the higher survival rates of children in these classes, particularly when compared to Third Class, where a significant number of children, 46 out of 76 (60.5%), did not survive the sinking.

  • All but one
  • None
  • Four
  • Two

• Did anyone in 3rd class survive the Titanic?

  Despite the tragic loss of life during the Titanic disaster, there were survivors among the third-class passengers. Out of approximately 709 third-class passengers, about 174 managed to survive. The lower survival rate in this class compared to first and second classes was due to various factors, including the location of their accommodations and limited access to lifeboats.

  • Yes, about 174 out of 709
  • No, none survived
  • Yes, but fewer than 50
  • Yes, about 203 out of 525

About Titanic

The RMS Titanic, a British passenger liner, is one of the most famous maritime disasters in history, immortalized both by the tragedy itself and by its depiction in popular culture, most notably in James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic."

Constructed by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the Titanic was, at the time, the largest ship afloat. It was the second of the White Star Line's Olympic-class ocean liners, touted as "unsinkable" due to its advanced safety features. The ship embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City on April 10, 1912, carrying passengers ranging from wealthy industrialists and celebrities to emigrants seeking a new life in America.

On the night of April 14, 1912, in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic struck an iceberg. The collision caused the ship's hull plates to buckle inwards along her starboard (right) side and opened five of her sixteen watertight compartments to the sea. The Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, with over 1,500 people losing their lives in one of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters.

The tragedy highlighted the inadequacies in safety regulations and led to changes in international maritime law, including ensuring enough lifeboats for all passengers and maintaining continuous radio watch on board ships.

The 1997 film "Titanic," directed by James Cameron, dramatizes the event with a fictional love story between Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). While the main characters are fictional, the film incorporates historical details and real passengers, such as Molly Brown and John Jacob Astor IV. The movie's success, both critically and commercially, brought renewed attention to the historical event and remains a significant cultural touchstone in its depiction of the Titanic's ill-fated journey.

How much do you know about "Titanic", the movie? Play the Titanic film quiz!