 The film omits several key historical figures, including John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger aboard "Titanic", and Stoker Frederick Barrett, with 2nd Engineer Officer John Henry Hesketh's role being expanded to include duties and actions that were performed by Barrett and others.In reality, the American gambler Jay Yates (played as British by the distinctive British actor Ralph Michael), travelling under the name of J.H.Rogers, was never on board the "Titanic" and the note he was said to have handed to a passenger was a hoax.