Smith was left in a tricky position as a captain carry's full responsibility. The ship with just three months of service and at the time the world biggest and luxury ship afloat. Which lead to them think that the ship was unsinkable!
He was fortunate the collision was at the stern end and not the mid ship section, which have lower bulkhead height. Also a quick action of a greaser who was on the spot at the time closed the watertight door before the bridge had time to react of the situation. O though bulkhead O did fill up with about 400 tons of water, it would appear the bilge pump could just keep pace.
Smith took the safety precaution by of loading passengers on the Isle of Wight and anchored overnight. Though there is some confusion if all passengers were of loaded, as the six tugs tow her slowly back to Southampton. There were passengers watching from decks above of the tugs in operation!