Addison Hart
Guest
Compiled by Addision Hart
Monday, April 1st 1912
It was a crisp, cool morning, the day that the new White Star Liner RMS Titanic would make her trials and later the trip from Belfast to Southampton.
On Saturday, March 29th, 79 crew members signed on and tugs from Liverpool made by the Alexandra Towing company had arrived to help. That day there was a North- Westerly wind that made it difficult for her to leave her dock in the River Lagan off Queen's Island.
The trials had been set for 10 a.m. The Tugs were there at 9:00a.m., but she couldn't get through the Victoria Channel. The trials and the voyage were postponed to the following day, Tuesday, April the 2nd. The rest of the day was used by the engineers and officers to examine the ship.
The trimmers, firemen, officers, able seamen, and "The Black Gang" (Engineers and Boilermen) were paid an extra five shillings for the delay.
Tuesday, April 2nd
Titanic would be leaving early because the weather was calm and mild. In the morning the ship was boarded by the 8 officers- Commodore Edward John Smith, RNR, Chief Officer William McMaster Murdoch, RNR, First Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller, RNR, Second Officer David Blair, Third Officer Herbert John Pitman, Fourth Officer Joseph Groves Boxhall, RNR, Fifth Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe, and Sixth Officer James Pell Moody. 34 seamen and 78 trimmers, firemen, etc. also boarded the liner. There was a change of plans, Smith brought aboard Olympic's (Titanic's older sister ship) Chief Officer aboard, Henry Tingle Wilde was brought aboard, bumping Murdoch down to first officer and Lightoller to second and Blair was left out of the voyage with the knowledge of where the lookout's binoculars were.
Harland & Wolff's (The ship's builders) Lord William James Pirrie could not attend the trials because of a case of severe pneumonia, so the ship's designer and Pirrie's nephew, Thomas Andrews Jr. took his place. With him was his deputy, Edward Wilding. White Star's Chairman, Joseph Bruce Ismay could not attend due to family matters. Harold Sanderson was sent in his place.
There was another inspection by Board of Trade supervisor Francis T. Carruthers. Messrs C. J. Smith of London placed several members of their firm to adjust the ship's compasses as they entered open water. Also boarded were the two wireless operators from the Marconi firm, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride. At 6:00a.m., it began.
The tugs began pulling the ship along the River Lagan and out into the Lough. Crowds formed as they watched the massive ship in awe. The tug Herald, was at her port bow Lines, Haskinson and Herculaneum were at her port and starboard lines and Horbury was at her starboard bow lines. They were guided by the Titanic's bosun's, "Big Neck" Nichols and his crew, and Albert Haines and his crew. As she approached the town of Carrickfergus, a blue and white signal flag with the letter A meaning "I am undergoing sea trials" was hoisted up as the tugs returned to the Lough. On the bridge of the ship, Capt. Smith gave an order and Boxhall rushed to the Engine Telegraph thrust the handle forward. The ship was moving by itself. Then the officers and officials went to lunch in the grand new First Class Dining Room. Here they compared notes and asked questions, concluding that the ship was running better than expected. The ship travelled at 20 knots and was travelling back through the Irish sea and through the Lough at 18 knots and at 6:00p.m. she came to a complete stop. The trials had lasted 8 hours. Carruthers made one last experiment, raising and dropping the anchor. He was satisfied and presented Andrews and Wilding with a certificate reading, "Good for one year from today 2.4.12."
At 8:00, the engines went to work again as she left for Southampton, England, were an empty berth was waiting. During the night there were the regular watches with the lookouts posted as she passed through St. George's Channel, the Coast of Cornwall and the Irish Sea.
Wednesday, April 3rd
The weather was mild and chilly as the 882 1/2 foot long White Star liner Titanic cut through the waves of the English Channel to Southampton. From 2:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m., the ship was in a bad fog, but by 6:00 it had dispersed. From early morning until some time before lunch, breakfast was served:
Fruit Plain & Tomato
Omelettes
Quaker Oats Mashed & Sauté Potatoes
Fillets of Whiting Cold Meat
Kippered Herrings Rolls & Scones
Calve's Liver & Bacon Marmalade
Grilled Ham & Grilled Sausage Strawberry Conserve
Minced Chicken Watercress
Poached & Fried Eggs
At about noon she passed the green cliffs of Land's End, where she made contact over wireless with Teneriffe (2,000 miles away) and Port Said (3,000 miles). By 10:30 in the morning she was 150 miles east of Fastnet. She passed Cornwall, Prawle Point, and St. Catherine's Point.
Eventually she passed the Isle of Wight where she met with the Nab Light vessel, from which Southampton's old harbour pilot, George Bowyer, came aboard. They passed Spithead as darkness fell. At 12:00 midnight they arrived at the White Star Line Dock at Southampton.
Thursday, April 4rth, Titanic was towed into the White Star Dock by the Red Funnel Line tugs, Hector, Vulcan, Ajax, Hercules, and Neptune. On Titanic's bridge, Captain Edward J. Smith ordered 4rth Officer Boxhall to have the engineers bring the engines to a complete stop. The tugs took over and pulled the liner into the dock, stern first. She was there warped into Berth no. 44. The ship had gone through 570 miles of the English Channel and for the remainder of the day she rested. She was lying with a host of other ships, in Berths 38 and 39; Oceanic and New York were tied together. Across the water from Titanic in Berth 46 lay the American Line's Philadelphia and St. Louis and White Star's Majestic, which were also tied up.
Thomas Andrews spent the rest of the day inspecting the ship and making notes in his cabin, A-36. That night he walked to the South Western Hotel, conveniently built near the dock, where he had a room. For the great liner RMS Titanic, it was a peaceful night.
Friday, April 5th, Good Friday
Early in the morning, dockyard workers fixed flags and pennants up on the ship's rigging. This was for two reasons: (1) to celebrate Holy Week, and (2) in honor of the people of Southampton. Today was the only day Titanic was ever "dressed", although some artists like to picture her with flags as she leaves the dock.
The dock was deserted due to Good Friday; there were no visitors on this holy day. Today was also the first recruitment day in Southampton for the ship's crew (although few men signed up until the following day), and most of the cargo was brought aboard today. At night, the flags were taken down.
Saturday, April 6th
It was Holy Saturday, recruitment day for most of the crew. The White Star Line's hiring hall was packed, along with Union halls, filled with members from the British Seafarer's Union (200 recruited from there that day), National Sailor's Union and the Fireman's Union nearly 100 men from there came aboard) -- all anxious to get back to work (the national coal strike, which had begun on January 6th, 1912, had ended this day). Most of the crew came from Southampton, but there were also some from London, Liverpool, and Belfast. People were rushing to the hiring halls to serve under Capt. Smith. One Londoner, Reginald Leonard Barker, signed on as Titanic's Purser and would be paid 15 pounds per month. He would later be demoted to Assistant Purser, however, when Hugh McElroy signed on. Another officer from Olympic who was transferred was the Chief Steward, Andrew J. Latimer. A majority of the crew were British.
Much of the cargo was brought aboard that day -- almost 500 tons of it -- with 11,524 individual pieces. While in Berth 44, over 5,800 tons of coal were brought aboard from various shipping and coaling ports. The loading of coal took 24 hours. After that, the ship was thoroughly cleaned by the "Boots" men (whose jobs were as ship's cleaners and shoe polishers), led by 34-year-old Scott Stebbing. They scrubbed off the black dust left by the coal being dragged into the ship's Boiler Room.
Easter Sunday, April 7th
The ship still rested in Berth no. 44, the tide being up to a depth of 40 feet above main tide ( the same was true for Berth 43, which had previously housed Titanic's sister ship, Olympic, before her maiden voyage). There was no time to send Titanic any newly-mined coal, so she was loaded with coal from five other IMM (International Mercantile Marines, owners of Titanic and White Star Line) ships, as well as the left over coal from Olympic. 415 tons of coal had been consumed by the ship's boilers (for heat for the ship and to operate cargo winches) in the last week. The ship had arrived with 1,880 tons of it. 4, 427 tons of coal were added in Southampton.The Dock was completely deserted, without movement, in observance of Easter Sunday -- all except for the Blue Ensign put up in the evening which fluttered in the gentle breeze, and also for the lookout, who rang the ship's brass bell to mark off the hours.
These were the last quiet moments the ship would ever know
Monday, April 8th
The day was rainy and grey. Titanic remained in Berth 44. On this day 4,427 tons of coal were loaded aboard. The crew were still being signed on at the hiring halls for White Star. Names like Reginald Jones, Alfred Maytum, Thomas Barker, Albert Haines, Bertram Noss, Charles Joughin, Arthur May and his father, A. W. May... 34-year-old Joseph Scarrot signed on as an Able Seaman:
"I signed on the 'articles' as 'A.B.' on Monday, 8th April, 1912. The signing on seemed like a dream to me, and I could not believe I had done so, but the absence of my discharge book from my pocket convinced me. When I went to the docks that morning I had as much intention of applying for a job on the Big 'Un as we called her, as I had of going for a trip to the moon."
Also fresh food supplies were loaded aboard including:
75,000 Ibs. of Fresh Meat
11,000 Ibs. of Fresh Fish
4,000 lbs. of Salted and dried Fish
75,00 lbs. of Ham and Bacon
25,000 lbs. of Poultry and Game
25,00 lbs. of Sausages
40,000 lbs. of Fresh Eggs
2,200 lbs. of Coffee
1,120 lbs. of Jams and Marmalade
1,000 Sweetbreads
800 lbs. of Tea
10,000 lbs. of Rice, dried beans, etc..
10,000 lbs. of Sugar
200 barrels of Flour
10,000 lbs. of Cereals
36,000 (180 boxes of) Oranges
16,000 (50 boxes of) Lemons
Also:
25 cases of Biscuits
1,750 quarts of Ice Cream
1,196 bags of Potatoes
6 cases of Confectionery
22 cases of Mushrooms
3 cases of Tea
10 cases of Mixed Vegetables
225 cases of Mustard
8,000 Cigars
And to drink:
20,000 bottles of Beer and Stout
1,500 bottles of Wines
15,000 bottles of Mineral waters
850 bottles of Spirits
The meat was put into large refrigerators on G Deck, supervised by Officers Murdoch and Lightoller. The Refrigerators were watched over by Extra Assistant 4rth Engineer Thomas Hulman Kemp.
Last minute details were overseen by Thomas Andrews, who inspected the ship again at 6:30 p.m. and returned to the Harland & Wolff office.
Tuesday, April 9th
The last full day in Southampton for the great liner. The food and provision continued to be brought aboard, and early in the morning the ship was visited by Board of Trade surveyor, Captain Maurice Harvey Clarke. Clarke and Andrews inspected the ship, with the help of 5th Officer Harold G. Lowe and 6th Officer James P. Moody. He tested the Morse Lamp onto of the ship's wheelhouse, and fired a rocket. He approved them.
Near the end of his inspection, he jumped in Boat no.11 and had the two officers lower it for him. He approved and soon left. Afterwards, Capt. Smith inspected the ship himself, with Chief Officer Wilde and 1st Officer Murdoch. While on the bridge, a London photographer snapped a photograph of Smith. It is the only known photograph of Smith on the Titanic's bridge.
This was the last day that the crew could sign up in the hiring halls. Hugh Walter McElroy of Liverpool was the 38-year-old purser for Olympic, and he was transferred that day. He was made Chief Purser, Barker second. He would be paid 20 pounds a month.
That night, all the officers slept on the ship, except Capt. Smith. They supervised the dock and kept regular watches over the ship. Thomas Andrews wrote to his wife, Helen: "The Titanic is now about complete and will, I think, do the old firm credit tomorrow when we sail."
Wednesday, April 10th
Southampton. At 5:17 a.m., the sun rose over the English town. The Titanic rested in Berth 44, waiting for the voyage she would begin this day. Capt. Smith arrived in his long coat and black bowler hat. Chief Officer Henry Wilde met him on the bridge and handed the Captain the day's sailing report. At this time, in London, a 1st Class Boat Train left Waterloo Station heading for Titanic. It contained passengers like Benjamin Guggenheim and Isidor Straus. Another passenger was Colonel John Jacob Astor's brother, who would not be sailing with her, but was sending his brother, John, his luggage. He would leave the area and return to London later on. John would embark later at Cherbourg. The 2nd and 3rd Class Boat Train left at 10:00 a.m.
All over the town, people began running to the ship. These were crewmen running aboard for the muster. J. Bruce Ismay had also arrived, in a black limousine, with his family, who would not be accompanying him on the voyage. He was traveling with his butler, Richard Fry, and his secretary, William Henry Harrison.
The muster began at 8:00, when the Blue Ensign was hoisted up. In one corner stood the musterers, Captain Benjamin Steele, Captain Smith, Chief Surgeon William Francis Norman O'Loughlin, and Assistant Surgeon James Edward Simpson. While the muster was beginning, Capt. Clarke had come back to test Boat 15. He was pleased, and Smith presented him with his Master Report to the Company, which read:
"I herewith report this ship loaded and ready for sea. The engines and boilers are in good order for the voyage, and all charts and sailing directions are up to date. Your obedient servant, Edward J. Smith."
The Boat Train for the First Cabin arrived at 9:30, the 2nd and 3rd at 11:30. At this time, Pilot George Bowyer walked aboard and his flag was run up. At about noon, Lawrence Beesley, a Second Class passenger, watched from his window as three Irish stokers, the Slade brothers, arrived too late. They had misspent their time in a pub called the Grapes. They were not allowed aboard. At 12:00 the sirens went off and Titanic moved towards the mouth of the dock.
In Berth 38, The SS New York was still tied to the Oceanic. When the liner passed Berth 38, the New York broke away and swung towards the Titanic's side. Bowyer took charge and used the larger vessel's propeller to push the smaller ship away. On the tug, Vulcan, Captain Gale went after New York to save the reporters on it. They eventually towed her back to her berth.
At 5:30 p.m., Titanic stopped at Cherbourg, France, where many millionaires like Col. Astor boarded. At this time the tenders, Nomadic (carrying 1st and Second Class pasengers) and Traffic (carrying 3rd Class passengers and mail), arrived alongside. At 8:30, she left Cherbourg for Ireland, lights ablaze. She went through the English Channel and the English South Coast.
Thursday, April 11th
The first full day at sea on Titanic's maiden voyage. The Titanic was moving at a speed of 21 knots that morning. Early that morning, the ship's compass was upgraded. Soon she passed the Daunt Light Vessel and brought aboard the pilot. An emergency full dress rehearsal was held with the alarm bells sounding and watertight doors closing. Today was also the 25th birthday of Jack Phillips, the Senior Wireless Operator.
At 11:30, the ship was lying at anchor in Queenstown harbor as the tenders America and Ireland arrived alongside. The press was allowed aboard and onto the Officers' Promenade Decks. One reporter got Capt. Smith and Purser McElroy to pose next to the Captain's Quarters for a photograph. The First Class Promenade Deck was full of Irish linen merchants, and Colonel Astor spent $800 for one article for his very young wife Madeleine. As the Ireland pulled up to the ship's side, a soot-faced stoker peered down at them from the dummy fourth funnel. To some aboard it was a bad omen, symbolizing an impending doom.
A fireman, John Coffee, a native of Queenstown, hid himself in the bottom of some empty mail bags and left the ship. At 1:15, Fr. Francis Browne (who was disembarking) photographed Capt. Smith peering down from the Starboard Bridge Wing. It is the last photograph ever taken of the Commodore of the White Star Line. Around this time, 1st Officer Murdoch and 2nd Officer Lightoller closed the gangway door. As she prepared to leave for open sea, 3rd Class passenger Eugene Daly, leaving behind his native Ireland, played "Erin's Lament" on his bagpipes. At 1:30, the anchor was raised and the ship left, stopping once at the Daunt Light Vessel to drop off the pilot. She left, passing the Old Head of Kinsale on her way through St. George Channel.
Friday, April 12th
Traveling at about 21 knots, Titanic had covered 386 miles (between noon of the 11th of April and noon of the 12th), and from noon Friday to noon Saturday she would cover another 519 miles. The weather was fine and seemed as if nothing could go wrong today... But plenty did...
The wind was rather cold and the ship listed to port. Purser McElroy said that the most likely explanation was because too much coal was being used on the starboard side. This was because of a recently discovered fire onboard in Boiler Room 6. Firemen tried desperately to put it out. The fire had been caused by coal left to dry, which, rubbing together, had flicked a spark which spontaneously combusted. Apparently, the smoldering had started during the trials almost two weeks before.
That day, Titanic's wireless room had been packed with incoming and outgoing messages, several incoming messages were from ships with greetings and warnings of ice (among them were messages from: the Avala, California, President Lincoln, La Tourine, Montrose, Manitou, St. Laurent, Corsican, East Point, Empress of Britain, and the Lackawanna).
That same day, the French Line Steamer Niagara had stopped, surrounded by ice. It was discovered that she was damaged, and she sent a call for assistance. The Carmania traveled to the ship to wait for further information, and a message was sent out to the ships that the aid was not required.
In the evening, the wireless system on board the Titanic ceased to function, and Bride was sent to inform the Captain. The two men, Phillips, the senior, and Bride, the junior, spent hours trying to locate the problem and fix it on the 13th, they discovered the culprit was a piece of machinery called a secretary and went to work immediately). That night, vessels encountered a huge, rectangular- shaped ice field right in Titanic's path....
Saturday, April 13th
Between noon Friday and noon Saturday, Titanic covered 519 miles.
At 10:30, Smith set out on his daily inspection of the ship. While in the Engine Room, the Chief Engineer, Joseph Bell, informed the captain that the fire in Boiler Room 6 has been put out and the danger was over, but the bulkhead that formed part of the coal bunker was damaged and a stoker was sent to rub oil on it.
The ship's wireless was still being repaired, the damaged object being the secretary. Work on it began early. The repairs would be finished the very next morning .
At dinner, Dr. O'Loughlin raised a glass to Titanic. Mary Sloan, a stewardess, recalled seeing him later leaning against the banister and the Grand Staircase addressing Thomas Andrews by his Christian name, "Tommy".
Sunday, April 14th
At 5:00 a.m., the wireless operators, Phillips and Bride, fixed the wireless and were hopelessly backlogged with messages. At 9:00 a.m., a message from the Caronia was received:
"Captain, Titanic- West bound steamers report bergs, growlers, and field ice in 42 N. from 49 to 50 W."
Others reporting ice that day were Canada, Lindenfels, Trautenfels, Montcalm, Corinthian, Memphian, and Campanello. At 11:40 a.m., a message was received from the Noordam:
"Congratulations on new command Captain. Had moderate westerly winds, fine weather, no fog, much ice reported in 42 24' to 42 45' and long. 49 45' and long. 49 50' to 50 20'"
At 1:40, a message from the Baltic was received:
"Captain Smith, Titanic. Have had moderate variable winds and clear fine weather since leaving. Greek Steamer Athinai reports passing icebergs and large quantity of ice today in latitude 41.51 N., longitude 49.52 W. Wish you and Titanic all success."
At 1:00 p.m., 2nd Officer Lightoller posted Caronia's message, after showing it to his senior, Murdoch, who simply replied, "All right". Capt. Smith took Baltic's message and gave it to Ismay, who was talking to the George Dunton Wideners. Ismay said nothing and stuffed it into his pocket. The weather was fine, and between noon Saturday and noon Sunday the Titanic covered 546 miles. It is suspected that Ismay was pushing Smith to go at full speed in icy water, so that they could break the record set by Titanic's sister ship Olympic the year before. 24 of her 29 boilers had been fired up and she was traveling at 22 knots, the fastest speed that she would ever achieve. A message from the Amerika was received, warning of ice, and a second warning of ice, and yet another, warning of more, was intercepted from the Californian to the Antillian.
Amerika's warning did not go to the bridge. Just before 6:00 p.m., Capt. Smith altered the course slightly to south and west of his normal course. South 86 West was now the course of Titanic. At 6:00 p.m., Lightoller began his watch. At 7:15, he took a dinner break. Murdoch, who had had his, took over for a short time. In the Second Class Dining Saloon, Rev. Carter led a hymn-singing service. Up a few decks, in the A' la Carte' restaurant, George D. Widener held a dinner party in honor of Titanic's Captain, Edward J. Smith. At 9:00, Smith excused himself, went on the bridge, and there told Lightoller to keep a sharp lookout. At 9:20, he retired to the chart room next to his cabin.
In the wireless cabin, Phillips was at the key, Bride being asleep in his bunk. At 9:40, he received a message from the Mesaba, which would never be brought to the bridge, which indicated a large rectangular ice field... in which the RMS Titanic already was...
At 10:00, Murdoch took over the watch. 55 minutes later, while Phillips was conversing with Cape Race, the Californian broke in, telling him that they had stopped, surrounded by ice, and forced to wait out the night. Phillips rebuked him with, "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, I'M BUSY WITH CAPE RACE." Annoyed, Californian's operator, Cyril Evans, went to sleep.
At 11:30, still at 22 knots, Murdoch came onto the port wing. The night grew darker and there was no wind or moon. The water was entirely calm. In the crows nest, high above, the lookouts, Reginald Lee and Fred Fleet, began to notice a slight haze in the distance, on which Fleet kept his eyes.
At 11:40, the bridge telephone began to ring. 6th officer Moody, the junior of the watch, picked it up and said: "What is it?"
Fleet yelled: "Iceberg! Right ahead!"
"Thank You," replied Moody, hanging up the phone. "Iceberg! Right ahead!" he yelled to Murdoch, who went into quick action: 'Hard' a' starboard!" He then grasped the handle of the telegraph and thrust it to full speed astern. He then closed the watertight doors. After a few moments, there was a grinding sound.
Chunks of ice lay on the promenade and boat decks.
Captain Smith ran to the bridge: "What have we struck?"
"An iceberg,sir," came the response.
Thomas Andrews was sent down to inspect the damage, after Wilde and Boxhall's inspections had shed no light. Andrews, though, reported that the damage was very critical. Smith asked how long he expected the ship to float. The answer was grave: "An hour, maybe two, not much longer."
By 11:55, the Post Office was already flooded, 3 of 5 postal clerks had disappeared, perhaps dead. The ship was sinking by the bow.
Monday, April 15th. By 12:00 a.m., the ship was sinking fast. Captain Smith had already ordered the crew to uncover the boats. The Squash Court and Postal Offices were all under water. At about this time, Capt. Smith ordered Phillips and Bride to send the distress call CQD. Bride suggested to change it to SOS, which they did eventually.
Smith gave orders that the passengers be awakened. Some ran to the Purser's office demanding that McElroy, Barker, and King return their valuables.
Not far away, onboard the SS Californian, the crew saw the ship and the rockets, but didn't give it much thought.
By 12:25, the order had been given to fill up the boats and lower them. Col. Archibald Grachie joked to Squash Instructor Frederick Wright that he'd better cancel tomorrow's appointment. Ironically the Squash Court is already underwater. Wright did not survive the night.
At 12:45, Boat 7 was loaded with passengers including Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson Bishop, Mrs. Boulton Earnshaw, The Gibson women, Mr. William B. Greenfield, Mrs. Leo Greenfield, Pierre Marechal, Paul Cherve, Mrs. Thomas Potter, Mr. and Mrs. John Synder, James McGough, William T. Sloper, Miss Margaret Hays, Mr. Robert Williams Daniel, Mr. Fred Kimber Seward, Mr.Gilbert Tucker , and it was put under the command of Lookout George Hogg, and his fellow lookout Archie Jewell, with help from Seaman Weller. Although it could hold 65, its number of passengers was 28. Quartermaster Rowe, under Officer Boxhall's direction, fired rockets from the bridge. At that time, Boxhall tried to contact a light he took to be a ship, without success. Only eight rockets were fired, with seven five minute breaks. Rowe left the bridge at 1:25. Below him, Lightoller was lowering Boat 4, containing Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Widener, Mrs. Astor, and Mrs. Thayer. Mr. Astor stepped back and disappeared into the crowd.
By 12:45, Boiler Room 5 was almost empty of her crew. Junior Asst. Second Engineer Jonathan Shepard ran across the room, but fell down one of the open manholes, breaking his leg. Junior 2nd Engineer Herbert G. Harvey and Fireman Frederick Barrett ran to help. They dragged him to the Pump Room. Suddenly, the wall seemed to explode and sea water rushed in, drowning Shepard. Barrett was ordered to get up the ladder. As he went back, he looked down once more at Harvey running to the Pump Room as the waters engulfed him. Barret reached deck safely and survived the sinking.
On the Boat Deck, Boat 6 is lowered at 12:55 a.m., Mr. Tyrell Cavendish takes his wife to the boat and steps back, never to be seen again. It is under command of Quartermaster Robert Hitchens (who was at the wheel during the collision) and Lookout Fleet. Mrs. Helen Candee is also aboard. Molly Brown of Denver is walking away from the boats when two men (including 1st class passenger Edward P. Calderhead) dumped her in one of the boats. Hitchens discovered he had only one crewman aboard, so Major Arthur Godfrey Peuchen (a Yachtsman) volunteered to go. He had to climb down the falls to assist, as he jumped into the boat he became a hero.
On the other side of the deck, Boat 5 was lowered by Pitman, Murdoch, and Lowe, Ismay assisting. It contained Calderhead, Karl Behr, Mrs. H. W. Frauenthal, Mrs. Washington Dodge, and the Frollichers. It was commanded by Pitman himself, as the boat lowered away, Murdoch shoke his hand saying, "Goodbye, good luck." Dr. Frauenthal became afraid and jumped into the boat, landing on poor Mrs. Stengle, breaking two of her ribs and knocking her unconscious. At 1:00, Titanic's name is underwater. Nearby, Murdoch moved to Boat 3 with another officer (either Lowe or Moody). He instructed Seaman Moore to get in the boat and to pass in the ladies. When there were no more ladies to be seen, he allowed men in. Among them were Frederick O. Spedden who came in to join his wife and son. Another hero was made when Howard B. Case, standing nearby and did not enter, he was lost. The boat contained 32 passengers and 11 crew. Walking to Murdoch, Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon saw another rocket, soaring 800 feet into the air and exploding. He pointed to Boat 1 asking, "Can my wife and I go in?" The answer was probably an "all right", but Duff Gordon always said it was "I wish you would." They went in with Lady Duff Gordon's secretary, Mr. C.H. Stengle, and Abraham Salmon, the boat was commanded by Lookout Symons (who was at the boat's helm) and Fireman Collins. Only eleven were aboard when it was lowered, the majority of people aboard were crew. At about this time, Boiler Room 3 was flooding. Most of the stokers having gone above, only a handful were still in Rom 3, directed by surviving engineers. Soon that was under too, taking with her all of her engineers.
One engineer was still on deck, Senior Second Engineer William Edward Farquarson, who was now helping in the loading and lowering of the boats. Captain Smith was seen walking the decks in shock and almost oblivious of everything around him. On the port side, Boat 8 was being loaded, Mrs. Ida Straus refused to leave her husband, Colonel Grachie recalled that Isidor Straus was given permission because of his old age, but refused to go before the other men. the couple would not be separated in life or death. Mrs. Straus gave her jewels to Miss Ellen Bird, her maid, who then boarded the boat. The couple then sat on two deck chairs and awaited their fate. Passing them was the Countess of Rothes and her cousin, Gladys Cherry, they entered the boat. The Countess became a heroine after spending all night at the tiller. Boat 8 was put in the command of Able Seaman Tom Jones, who jumped in, himself.
Boat 9, on the starboard side, was filled to compacticy, holding 58, including men who had come aboard when women were scarce. The ship had now developed quite a list to starboard. Purser McElroy sent three men in to help the women get past a large gap between the deck and the boat after a French women nearly fell through. Mrs. Jacques Futrelle was last to go in, after refusing several times. It seemed that no one had a knife to cut the falls, though finally they were cut.
Boat 11 was sent down to the A-Deck promenade windows, where 70 passengers boarded, including Mrs. Emma Schabert and her brother, Philip Mock. But it was very dangerous, the boat having been overloaded over five times her wait. The ship's pump discharge was a fat jet of icy water, and when the boat reached the water, it was almost swamped, but it escaped just in time.
At 1:25, Boat 13, holding 64, including Beesley and Dr. Dodge was lowered. They came dangerously close to the discharge but those aboard cried out and the boat ceased lowering. The occupants managed to push the boat away. But then, Boat 15 was descending just above it, endangering everyone in both boats. Once again there were shouts, and Boat 15 stopped it's descent. Boat 13 cut it's falls and drifted away as Boat 15 hit the water. At 1:30, Lightoller lowered boat 12. It was under the command of Seamen Frederick Clench and John Poigndestre. At this time, Officer Lowe, standing next to Boat 14, fired thre shots along Titanic's side as a man jumped into the boat. The man missed, though, and fell into the sea. Lowe stepped into Boat 14 and ordered it lowered away. On deck, Benjamin Guggenheim, his valet, Victor Giglio, and Chauffeur Rene Pernot were dressed in their finest, remarking that they would die like gentlemen. At 1:36, Boat 16 was lowered, it held 50, including Stewardess Violet Jessop. At 1:40, Wilde lowered Collapsible C. At the last moment, W. E. Carter and another man came aboard. It was J. Bruce Ismay.
The last boat to be lowered was Collapsible D, containing 54, including the Navratil boys. In the Smoking Room, Thomas Andrews stood alone, his lifebelt lying on a table. He was last seen staring at a painting entitled "Approach to the New World".
According to some people, an officer then shot himself, some suspect it was Wilde. Collapsables A and B were still on top of the Officer's Quarters as a huge waved swept over the ship's side, knocking the boats and the seamen (probably including Murdoch and Moody) overboard. Boat A landed upright and swimmers got into her, Boat B was upside down, but a few men, including Lightoller, Bride, and Grachie, survived by standing on top of it.
At about this time, Captain Smith was seen going into the bridge as it went under. Then the forward funnel collapsed, smashing part of the bridge and killing swimmers including Charles Williams and J.J. Astor. At 2:20, the stern faced the stars. The band was playing a hymn, Father Byles was taking last moment confessions. Then, the ship broke in half, the bow going under first, the stern reared up again, and then sunk.
Titanic had died.
Two hours later, a Cunarder, the Carpathia, appeared in the distance. It began picking up survivors and boats about 4:00 a.m., the last boat at 8:00 a.m.
705 survived.
1,523 did not.
April 15 1912 ....
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References to follow
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