Back in 1912, the RMS Titanic set out from Europe and was supposed to dock in New York before it sank.
So what does the voyage of the infamous ship have to do with D.C.?
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads off the beaten path to an unlikely memorial on the water in Southwest D.C. to find out the Titanic is more connected to the nation’s capital than you might think!
Planning for D.C.’s Titanic Memorial began just 10 days after the ship sunk to the bottom of the ocean. But it took nearly 15 years for the statue to be completed.
It stands about 20-feet tall overlooking the Potomac River, leaning forward with arms outstretched toward the sea.
The monument’s inscription says it’s dedicated to the men who sacrificed themselves aboard the vessel, when many gave up spots on lifeboats for women and children. It reads “erected by the women of America” in tribute to those who perished.
On a lighter note, the statue also invokes imagery from a popular American movie about the ship — take a wild guess and see if you can figure out which one.
So how did a memorial to those who died on the Titanic end up in D.C.? And why is it in a little-known spot at the end of a long road south of the Wharf?
Come along with Matt and a familiar National Park Service Ranger to find out!
“Matt About Town” airs every Tuesday and Thursday on WTOP at 7:45 a.m., and runs throughout the rest of the day on 103.5 FM. His video pieces are always posted on wtop.com.
You can also find Matt’s videos on Instagram (@wtopnews and @mkaufax) and TikTok (@wtopnews and @mattabouttown_).
If you’ve got an idea for a feature story Matt should cover, reach out via the WTOP “contact us” page to submit your idea.
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