It Would Take a Titanic Raft of Flotsam to Float Two Actors
This article confines itself to the mathematics of buoyancy: would they sink or float? We will ignore other considerations, such as exposure and hypothermia.
The calculations are in metric:
Kg = Kilogram = 2.2 pounds = 2.2 lb
M = metre = 39 inches = 39″ = 3.28 feet = 3.28′
Kg/M^3 = Kilograms per cubic Metre
Simulation of Rose and Jack – yep, they’d both fit! Image courtesy of imgur
Let’s assume calm winds and no waves on the Atlantic, with salt water at a density of 1025 Kg/M^3. Water is more dense when it is colder, reaching maximum density at +4C. Sea water is also denser than pure, due to the dissolved salt. Pure water at about 4 degrees Centigrade has a density of 1.000, and weighs 1,000 Kg/M^3 .
The density of wood used for lumber depends, in part, on the type of tree. Let’s assume they are floating on Canadian spruce, with a density of 450 Kg/M^3.
Pine’s density is somewhat over 500, while oak’s is well over 700; ebony would sink in fresh water, with a density of about 1200 Kg/M^3.
Let’s also assume that the door upon which Rose floats is 78″ x 31″ x 0.5″, or 2M x 0.8M x 0.0127M, based on an actual fragment of a door from the Titanic which was one-half of an inch thick.
Since 1″=2.54cm=0.0254M, the door would be 0.127 metres thick.
Let’s also assume that Rose weighed 134 pounds, or 61 Kg, and that Jack weighed 158 pounds or 72 Kg.
