The Doomed Voyage of the Titanic Sub: A Billionaire's Narrow Escape
Las Vegas billionaire Jay Bloom and his son Sean had planned to go on a doomed voyage to the Titanic, but a last-minute decision saved their lives. This article explores the events leading up to the tragic expedition and the aftermath.
The Decision to Back Out
Bloom and his son had initially planned to join the expedition led by OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. However, after a friend of Sean's researched potential risks and shared his findings, the duo decided to back out. Rush, in an attempt to assuage their fears, texted them, "It's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving."
Despite Rush's reassurances, the Blooms decided to trust their instincts. In a desperate bid to fill the empty seats, Rush offered them a $200,000 discount, but they declined. The seats were eventually taken by Pakistani mogul Shazada Darwood and his son.
The Fatal Voyage
The voyage turned out to be fatal. The submersible, named the Titan, suffered a catastrophic implosion less than two hours after starting its descent. The five passengers on board did not survive. The bodies were disintegrated, leaving no remains to recover.
The youngest passenger, 19-year-old Suleiman Dawood, had reportedly been terrified but agreed to go with his father as a Father's Day gift. His aunt, appearing on The Today Show, expressed relief that Suleiman didn't feel a moment's pain and that his brain didn't even realize what was happening.
The Sub's Fatal Flaws
The Titan had several structural flaws that contributed to the disaster. During a voyage the previous year, it was discovered that an engine had been installed backwards. Despite this alarming discovery, the mission proceeded.
The most serious structural flaw, however, was the use of carbon fiber and titanium in the pressure hull. According to famed director James Cameron and explorer Bob Ballard, who discovered the Titanic wreck, the composite cylinder that formed the main hull was the Achilles heel of the sub. The carbon fiber composite cylinder is now in small pieces.
The Aftermath
Debris from the Titan was discovered just 500 yards from the Titanic. The dream of exploring the Titanic turned into a nightmare for Stockton Rush, who had known Bob Ballard for 20 years.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in deep-sea exploration. Despite the advancements in technology, the ocean depths remain a dangerous and unpredictable frontier.