Building the Titanic cost $7.5 million. Insuring it cost less because it was "unsinkable." Sinking it killed $3 billion worth of Edwardian billionaires and 1,500 other people. Families filed $16 million in claims. They got $664,000—four cents on the dollar. White Star Line's legal argument: their liability was capped at the value of thirteen lifeboats. A judge agreed. First-class passengers survived at 62%. Steerage at 25%. It took two years to pass regulations requiring lifeboats for everyone. The Titanic is a love story the way the French Revolution is a diet plan.