More notable passengers on the RMS Titanic

[ghappy1000]

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/seven-famous-people-who-missed-the-titanic-101902418/?no-ist
Although the Titanic on its fatal maiden voyage was filled with rich and famous businessmen, there were others who cancelled the voyage and/or sailed on other ships. What if, for some reason, the men [or some of them] sailed on the ship? [Pick any plausible reason you can find.] And if they [or some of them] died, what will be the implications?

 

[LegionoftheUnitedStates]

How many first class staterooms were vacant on the voyage?

 

[Matt Wiser]

First class was booked to about 40% of capacity, I believe. Second was at 60%, with Third about 70. It's been a while since I've read up on the sinking, though.

 

[Zheng He]

First class was booked to about 40% of capacity, I believe. Second was at 60%, with Third about 70. It's been a while since I've read up on the sinking, though.

I had no idea, I assumed the ship was full. Crap, think of what a disaster it would have been had the ship been booked full.

 

[Mike Stearns]

I had no idea, I assumed the ship was full. Crap, think of what a disaster it would have been had the ship been booked full.

Butterfly the coal strike and it might. JP Morgan was supposed to be on the maiden crossing.

 

[Matt Wiser]

The whole ship had 2224 people aboard: 1316 passengers and 908 crew. Total capacity was 2435 passengers and 908 crew.

There was room for 833 in First Class, 614 in 2nd, and 1,006 in Steerage. First class only had 324 booked for the voyage.

 

[Admiral Halsey]

Butterfly the coal strike and it might. JP Morgan was supposed to be on the maiden crossing.

Actually IIRC the coal strike actually gave the ship more passengers then she would've had otherwise. I believe at least a couple hundred were transferred from other ships whose crossings were canceled due to the strike.

 

[ghappy1000]

Actually IIRC the coal strike actually gave the ship more passengers then she would've had otherwise. I believe at least a couple hundred were transferred from other ships whose crossings were canceled due to the strike.

Perhaps a pod of coal strike being more severe or any one deciding to board the Titanic [assuming events for them permit it] should be enough, shouldn't it?
By the way, the ship had a capacity of 3547 people at maximum.

 

[Welshroyalhistory]

These figures are pretty surprising. All of the documentaries and books play up that a ticket on the maiden voyage of the Titanic was a bit like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket, yet it seems sales appear to have been a bit of a flop really, less than 50% sold in first class!

 

[British Republic]

JP Morgan was supposed to be on the maiden crossing.

What happened if JP Morgan died on that fateful trip? Firstly it would mean White Star itself is up for grabs...

 

[Welshroyalhistory]

What happened if JP Morgan died on that fateful trip? Firstly it would mean White Star itself is up for grabs...

Why?

He had a number of children and his son took over the family business when JP did in fact die the following year.

 

[ghappy1000]

WW1

Getting a bit off topic, but if someone notable dies, how would WW1 be affected and the reputation of the Titanic as well? If for some [unlikely] reason, Asquith, Churchill, King George V [or his sons] and/or any other politician were on board [ most likely in first class], how would the lifeboat launching be affected? Would the lives of the king and/or any member of the royal family be more important than women and children? And, how would the 'women and children first' policy be affected?

 

[Welshroyalhistory]

Getting a bit off topic, but if someone notable dies, how would WW1 be affected and the reputation of the Titanic as well? If for some [unlikely] reason, Asquith, Churchill, King George V [or his sons] and/or any other politician were on board [ most likely in first class], how would the lifeboat launching be affected? Would the lives of the king and/or any member of the royal family be more important than women and children? And, how would the 'women and children first' policy be affected?

In a pre WW1 climate, it is unthinkable that the King and or any of his immediate family would travel on a commercial liner carrying other passengers.

When George V, as Duke of York travelled to Australia in 1902, the Admiralty took over an ocean liner for the Duke's exclusive use and staffed it with sailors from the Royal Navy.

 

[Mark E.]

Consider the butterfly effect. If the ship was booked more full, it might spend more time at port for boarding and loading before leaving. It might take a little longer to reach full speed with the extra load. With different timing, it might miss the iceberg.

 

[Mike Stearns]

Getting a bit off topic, but if someone notable dies, how would WW1 be affected and the reputation of the Titanic as well? If for some [unlikely] reason, Asquith, Churchill, King George V [or his sons] and/or any other politician were on board [ most likely in first class], how would the lifeboat launching be affected? Would the lives of the king and/or any member of the royal family be more important than women and children? And, how would the 'women and children first' policy be affected?

In a pre WW1 climate, it is unthinkable that the King and or any of his immediate family would travel on a commercial liner carrying other passengers.

When George V, as Duke of York travelled to Australia in 1902, the Admiralty took over an ocean liner for the Duke's exclusive use and staffed it with sailors from the Royal Navy.

In a pre-World War I climate its argably inconcievable for royalty to travel on a revenue service liner at all. Most of Europe's royal houses had royal yatchs, which were regarded as ships of state.

 

[Noravea]

What if Teddy Roosevelt was on it for some reason?

 

[Admiral Halsey]

These figures are pretty surprising. All of the documentaries and books play up that a ticket on the maiden voyage of the Titanic was a bit like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket, yet it seems sales appear to have been a bit of a flop really, less than 50% sold in first class!

Titanic was the middle child of the planned White Star trio and wasn't as hyped up compared to the Olympic. Add in her sailing being delayed due to the Olympic's collision with HMS Hawke plus the fact it was the off season still and short of her being the only ship plying the Atlantic she was never gonna have a full booking.

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

What if Teddy Roosevelt was on it for some reason?

Based on the meme so many here buy into, the accident doesnt happen. Either he smashes the iceberg with one blow, or it breaks apart on its own to avoid that.

 

[Admiral Halsey]

What if Teddy Roosevelt was on it for some reason?

Teddy would tow the ship into New York by himself of course.

In all seriousness it would radically change the dynamic of the 1912 elections for sure. The Republican vote is certainly not gonna be split now and Taft has a fighting chance at winning it now.

 

[RossN]

Marconi, Morgan and Vanderbildt are some pretty big names.

W.B Yeats had done an American tour in 1903 and would do a second in 1914 - a 1912 voyage would hardly be out the question, especially given his involvement with the Abbey Theatre (the Abbey Players had a 1911 tour in the US.)