This quote displays almost perfectly Priesley's views on Capitalism. Mr Birling believes the Titanic was unable to sink, alongside many other people during 1912. However, for an audience in 1945 and beyond, we know that this isn't true. The audience is aware that the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. This is Dramatic Irony, and helps to display Mr Birling as yet another clueless, arrogant and ignorant Capitalist which troubles society. This quote also strongly links into the quote “The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war…”. Mr Birling is saying that war isn't going to happen, particularly involving Germany. Yet despite this, nations in the surrounding years had been gearing up for war, and WWI would brake out 2 years after the play was set, with Germany being one of the main players. And then again, 31 years after WWI ended, Germany themselves would start WWII, the bloodiest war in human history.