This ship can't sink!

[Dan Kappes]

Did Ismay really say this quote when Thomas Andrews told him and Captain Smith that the Titanic was doomed, or is it just a myth invented by filmmakers?

He says it in the films A Night to Remember, the 1997 and 1943 films, and the 1996 TV miniseries.

The only Titanic film that is kind of sympathetic to Ismay is SOS Titanic; all the other ones portray him as an arrogant man who orders the Titanic to speed up.

 

[Kyle Naber]

I think it’s just historical liscense. It was advertised to be practically unsinkable, so it wouldn’t be impossible for him to say it, but any experienced seaman knows any ship can sink.

 

[mitfrc]

If he did say it he wasn't serious; it was more in a shocked "this can't be happening!" sort of way. If. It's probably license.