Titanic survivor’s ancestor shares stories from tragic sinking
The great-granddaughter of a survivor shares stories of the sinking of the Titanic
Knoxville News Sentinel
Speculation will likely continue forever on whether Jack would, in fact, have fit on the “door” with Rose and survived the sinking of the Titanic.
But any possible conspiracy theories over who, exactly, shelled out more than half a million dollars during a March auction for the iconic wood panel from the eponymous film can now be laid to rest.
The “door” that featured prominently in the Oscar-winning blockbuster “Titanic” was purchased by Titanic Museum Attraction, which has locations in Pigeon Forge and Branson, Mo. According to the museum, it will become part of one of the largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts anywhere.
Mary Kellogg-Joslyn, president of Titanic Museum Attractions, called the winning bid “a monumental acquisition” and added, “It’s such an iconic part of the film’s history and popularity, and it will give fans of the movie a unique glimpse into this spectacular film.”
Kellogg-Joslyn said the company is still solidifying plans for how best to display the piece at both locations.
How much did the museum pay for the ‘Titanic’ panel at auction?
The wood panel from “Titanic” was the top seller at the Treasures of Planet Hollywood auction, realizing $718,750 during the five-day event.
The “Titanic” memorabilia that were auctioned included the ship’s helm wheel, Rose’s chiffon dress that became soaked by the rising waters, and a large brass engine order telegraph.
Other iconic items from the auction included the whip from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” which sold for $525,000, the ax carried by Jack Nicholson in “The Shining,” which sold for $125,000, and an original Stormtrooper blaster from “Star Wars,” sold for $112,500.
What role did the panel play in ‘Titanic’ and why has it been so controversial?
Officials with Heritage Auctions said the eight-foot balsa wood movie prop was based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the 1912 tragedy, a panel housed in the Maritime Museumin Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Many “Titanic” fans have insisted that Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack could have survived icy waters by climbing onto the door with Kate Winslet’s Rose. Even Celine Dion, who sings the theme song, and Victor Garber, who plays the ship’s designer, have weighed in on the door controversy.
But director and writer James Cameron set out to finally put the discourse to rest for the film’s 25th anniversary in 2023.
First of all, Cameron commented, “It’s, technically, not a door. It’s a piece of wood paneling from the first-class cabin.”
What was the end result of the simulations?
“Final verdict: Jack might’ve lived, but there’s a lot of variables. How much swell is there, how long does it take the lifeboat to get there,” Cameron said in the National Geographic special. “In an experiment in a test pool, we can’t possibly simulate the terror, the adrenaline, all the things that worked against them. He couldn’t have anticipated what we know today about hypothermia.”
Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email [email protected].
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