If you needed a reminder of the deadly hubris that can be fueled by marketing, technology and industrial one-upsmanship, there's a flurry of century-old tweets you might want to check out.
A Twitter account called Real Time History is currently documenting the last hours of the RMS Titanic, which struck an iceberg 104 years ago today and sank early the next morning. More than 1,500 passengers and crew members died in the disaster.
Famously billed as "unsinkable," the Titanic was born from White Star Line's desire to surpass rival ships like the (equally ill-fated) Lusitania in both size and luxury.
We all know the story in broad strokes—or at least in terms of how it affected the fictional romance between artistic drifter Jack Dawson and egalitarian socialite Rose DeWitt Bukater. But the details of the events, including the extent of warnings the ship's crew received, are likely still unknown to most of us.
The Real Time History feed shifts between the perspectives of the recklessly bold captain, the troubled chief officer, the strata of passengers dining in varying levels of luxury, and the ominous indications of trouble from other ships at sea.
Here's a quick recap of some of the events as we near the hour of collision:
#Captain Titanic has just left Southampton, for her maiden voyage. 1912
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 10, 2016
#Titanic''A near miss before we even set sail, I hope that isn't a bad omen'' #captainpic.twitter.com/y958hferC7
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 10, 2016
#Firstclass''The stair case looks grand. Such a wonderful piece of perfection''#titanicpic.twitter.com/UMNn0V56TK
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 10, 2016
#Officer''The final passengers are making their way on board. We shall be leaving France, for Ireland soon'' pic.twitter.com/km9kEve2jh
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 10, 2016
#titanic *The ship has pulled up her anchor for the last time. She is now leaving Queenstown. Nothing but open ocean ahead of us*
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith''Everything seems to be in working order. But, I am a bit concerned about the shortage of lifeboats''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#Crewmember''No need sir. We will not be needing them. We will be arriving in New York Safely.''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith''Let us hope so young man. I am going to my cabin, to have some dinner. Before things get busy''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic Those in First Class will be dining here pic.twitter.com/G6LYVvqtg4
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith Captain Smith has order full steam ahead. Titanic is picking up pace. And crashing into the waves with a force
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#ChiefOfficer"I have a queer feeling about this ship"
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#ChiefOfficer"I regret coming on this ship as a last minute decision. I still don't like this ship"
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 11, 2016
#Titanic#Crew member to other #Crew member ''I don't know why we are speeding so much. We received 6 ice warnings yesterday''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic *Reply* ''Really?''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic''Yes. Six ships reported to us that they were going through heavy ice''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic Third Crew Member ''We had another heavy ice warning, while you two were off shift''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith''Nothing is greater than an open sea'' pic.twitter.com/4gXfnVHCH4
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic#ChiefOfficer to #Captain''We have two more warnings of heavy ice from other ships. Are you sure we should keep this speed up?''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
#Titanic *Captain Smith looks at the water* ''I see no reason why not. There is no ice about here.''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 12, 2016
The forth nightfall has just fallen on Titanic. It is the last calm night she will ever see.
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 13, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith''I will be going for a quick drink. And then retreating to bed. Goodnight Mr Murdoch. She's yours for the night''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 13, 2016
#Titanic#CrewMember'I'm not sure we should have cancelled that lifeboat drill an hour ago sir...'
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic#Crewmember'...perhaps we should take these iceberg warnings more seriously, and slow Titanic down Captain?'
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic#CaptainSmith''We are going to be fine young man. The icebergs aren't a threat to us. And, we are reaching a new speed today'
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic#Crew We have reached a top speed of 22.5 knots
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic#FirstClassPassanger''We are certainly going faster tonight. I hope this does not disturb our dinner''
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic Message from the SS California overheard warning about icebergs
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic Captain Smith is not made aware of this iceberg warning. He is dinning at the la carte restaurant
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
#Titanic The temperature has now dropped to freezing. We are now in a very cold atmosphere
— Real Time History (@events_bl) April 14, 2016
Hat tip to Scott Monty on Facebook.
