The genuine doomed White Star Line ship that served as the model for the epic love tragedy had already been dormant on the icy North Atlantic sea surface for 85 years when Titanic sailed onto the big screen in 1997. The passenger liner, the pinnacle of luxury for her day, made its first journey to New York in 1912 while being the biggest ship afloat. First-class facilities on board the Titanic, which carried some of the richest individuals in the world, were breathtaking from the minute passengers boarded the vehicle—and the Grand Staircase was no exception.
The Grand Staircase, which was made of oak and boasted elaborate designs on its bannisters, a complex clock at its upper landing, and a domed glass skylight, was said to be breath-taking. However, no known photographs of the opulent Titanic staircase exist, and if one were to explore the ship’s watery grave, they would not find the Grand Staircase. Titanic historians were forced to speculate about the fate of the opulent, expansive stairway until 1997, when a massive breach in the debris allowed divers access to the ship’s lower decks.
James Cameron, known for his attention to detail, wasn’t content with merely filming on sets made to resemble the steamer; instead, he created an almost exact reproduction of the Titanic. In addition to making Titanic a record-breaking movie, the director’s meticulous attention to detail supported speculations regarding what may have happened to the Grand Staircase.
Reddit user nmd1932 rediscovered the fun fact following the 25th anniversary of the film’s release, writing:
