As the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking approaches this weekend, and with James Cameron's epic film back in cinemas (this time in 3D), we're paying homage to the awe-inspiring passenger liner.

Revealing 10 forgotten facts about RMS Titantic is Dan James, author of the new novel Unsinkable (available now, priced £6.99) which tells the story of Titanic's fateful journey with a combination of fictional and real-life accounts. Check out his top ten facts below...

Sea swimming

Titanic had a swimming pool on board - filled with seawater!

Fitness first

It also boasted a state-of-the-art gymnasium for its time, with rowing machines and exercise bikes, which were sold as being 'good for the liver'.

Doctor's orders

In its hold there was a consignment of opium - transported for medicinal purposes only.

Heart of darkness

The 'Heart of the Ocean' necklace worn by Kate Winslet's character was based on a true story. A blue diamond necklace was given to Kate Florence Phillips by her married lover, Samuel Morley. The pair were heading to the US to start a new life, but Morley, like Jack, died in the sinking.

Dogs on board

There were five pet dogs on Titanic - only two survived.

A Turkish delight

Titanic boasted an ornately decorated Turkish Steam Room. Among its feature was an electric bath, in which the bather laid down in an insulated box that enclosed them from the neck down. A number of electric lamps then shone heat on him and her. It didn't prove very popular.

Class act

In steerage, third-class female passengers were ordered off decks at 9pm to avoid any impropriety, and it was 'lights out' for men and women at 10.30pm, whereas in first and second class the lights in certain public rooms were kept on until 11.30pm.

Icy waters

There is convincing evidence that Titanic saw many icebergs before it struck the fateful one.

Dummy funnel

One of the Titanic's four funnels was a 'dummy', put there to preserve the ship's stylish look and symmetry. When the ship docked at Queenstown one of the stokers reportedly climbed the inside of the funnel and poked his blackened face from the top, reportedly scaring many of the women on deck.

Card sharps

There were reported to be several con men and card sharps on Titanic seeking to fleece richer passengers of their cash. However, games of chance were not allowed in any of the public rooms anywhere on the ship on a Sunday.

Picture credit: Rex and 20th Century Fox