One hundred years ago today the “unsinkable” Titanic sank. The White Star Line, which owned the ship, never
itself claimed that its new flagship was unsinkable. It was media hype from
such sources as the Belfast Morning News
and Shipbuilder that began this
claim. But everyone soon got on board.
The whole Titanic saga is one chocked full of hubris or pride based on the
idea that such a large, modern ship could not possibly suffer a disaster at
sea. Even though they may never have said it out loud, the Titanic’s designers, agents, leadership, and even its passengers
clearly bought the hype.
And because they did, no real concern was given to the following: the Titanic had received several transmissions from other ships that there were ice floes in the vicinity,
yet
she continued at full-throttle. The Titanic’s
rudder was 30-40% too small for its size, meaning the ship could not steer
quickly enough to avoid the iceberg when first sighted. The parent company of
the White Star Line suggested using a type of crane that would have allowed 48
lifeboats, more than enough for passengers and crews, but the White Star, which
spared no expense in amenities for wealthy passengers, cut costs by mounting
only 20 life boats, enough for half those on board. On and on the insanity went
because of the hubris that an unsinkable ship could be built.
Whether it’s the Titanic or the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig disaster that dumped
206
million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 or the economic collapse
of fall 2008 (including subprime mortgages), human beings are especially
afflicted by one of the Seven Deadly Sins, hubris. As Proverbs 16:18 say,
“Pride goes before destruction,
and a
haughty spirit before a fall.” - DJ
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