What would YOU do?

[SmileyGirl]

I believe he was in the water for a significant length of time. His lifejacket would keep most of his body buoyed up. Frank Prentice I believe had a cushion or something similar tucked under his lifejacket which kept his body less submerged in the cold water. Perhaps Mr. Joughin did the same. He said "it was breaking day" when he saw the collapsible boat and swam towards it and remained in the water until 5th officer Lowe approached in another boat and he swam towards it.


Charles Joughin


Q - Are you a good swimmer?
A - Yes.

Q - How long do you think you were in the water before you got anything to hold on to?
A - I did not attempt to get anything to hold on to until I reached a collapsible, but that was daylight.

Q - Daylight, was it?
A - I do not know what time it was.

Q - Then you were in the water for a long, long time?
A - I should say over two hours, Sir.

Q - Were you trying to make progress in the water, to swim, or just keeping where you were?
A - I was just paddling and treading water.

Q - And then daylight broke?
A - Yes.

Q - Then you spoke of a collapsible boat. Tell us shortly about it?
A - Just as it was breaking daylight I saw what I thought was some wreckage, and I started to swim towards it slowly. When I got near enough, I found it was a collapsible not properly upturned but on its side, with an officer and I should say about twenty or twenty-five men standing on the top of it.

Q - They were?
A - Standing on the side, holding one another’s shoulders.

Q - Did you swim towards it?
A - Yes.

Q - Was there any room for you?
A - No, Sir.

Q - You agree, do you, that there really was not room for you?
A - There was not room.

Q - And so they could not take you in?
A - There was no room for any more. They were standing on it then.

Q - Did you stay near it?
A - I tried to get on it, but I was pushed off it, and I what you call hung around it.

Q - How much later on was it that you were picked up?
A - I eventually got round to the opposite side, and a cook that was on the collapsible recognised me, and held out his hand and held me, a chap named Maynard.

Q - Was he able to pull you out of the water, or was he only just able to help to support you?
A - No.

Q - He gave you a hand, and you kept treading water?
A - No. My lifebelt helped me, and I held on the side of the boat.

Q - You had been wearing a lifebelt?
A - Yes, all the time.

Q - So that your feet would be in the water?
A - Yes, and my legs.

Q - And you supported yourself by your lifebelt. I do not want to be harrowing about it, but was the water very cold?
A - I felt colder in the lifeboat, after I got in the lifeboat.

Q - You were picked up, were you, by a lifeboat later on?
A - We were hanging on to this collapsible, and eventually a lifeboat came in sight.

Q - And they took you aboard?
A - They got within about 50 yards and they sung out that they could only take 10. So I said to this Maynard, “Let go my hand,” and I swam to meet it, so that I would be one of the 10.

Q - Did you swim to it, and were you taken in?
A - Yes, I was taken in.

Q - You have said you thought it was about two hours before you saw this collapsible, and then you spent some time with the collapsible. How long do you suppose it was after you got to the collapsible that you were taken into the lifeboat?
A - I should say we were on the collapsible about half an hour.

Q - That means that for some two and a half hours you were in the water?
A - Practically, yes.



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Thanks Aaron. That would have been great if everyone could have done what Prentice did. I have no idea really about what could have been done, but if there had been some organisation, would there have been some materials on the ship i.e. canvas or something which could have been put round people to insulate them whilst in the sea? Sorry if I’m sounding like an idiot!

 

[Arun Vajpey]

One does not even need to get hypothermic to get time perception distorted under certain circumstances. I can speak from personal experience.

In November 2014 I was on a scuba diving liveabroad yacht in Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia. While on an afternoon dive, I got caught in a current at 30 metres and lost track of my buddy diver and rest of the group. As is the correct procedure under those circumstances, I searched for them for 1 minute before slowly ascending, doing the safety stop and coming to the surface with the 'sausage' buoy inflated. All this time the current had pulled me to a different part of the lagoon and when I came-up in an almost current free spot, I found myself on my own and very far from the boat. The water was a pleasant 29*C and relatively calm and so there was no danger whatsoever with me in my wetsuit, apart from sunburn of the exposed face. But The boat was too far away for me to swim against the current to reach it in my own steam and so I had to wave for help and hope that someone would see me. I thought that it had been the best part of an hour before someone on the boat did and send out a dinghy for me but when I checked my wrist computer, I had been on the surface for just over 11 minutes. It certainly felt a lot longer.

 

[SmileyGirl]

It’s strange how the mind works in certain circumstances. I think I have general distorted time perception in my day to day life!

 

[Aaron_2016]

Thanks Aaron. That would have been great if everyone could have done what Prentice did. I have no idea really about what could have been done, but if there had been some organisation, would there have been some materials on the ship i.e. canvas or something which could have been put round people to insulate them whilst in the sea? Sorry if I’m sounding like an idiot!

It would probably be a last minute effort to find something to keep afloat or to grab some form of insulation to keep them a fraction warmer when they entered the water. The sea might have been congested with bodies and all of their body heat would have provided a small amount of warmth to Joughin until they all died one by one, and only a few remained alive. Joughin did not see the collapsible until dawn was breaking and he noticed the survivors were already standing steadily with their arms over each other's shoulders and this I believe did not happen until some considerable time had passed. He may have been resting on several partially submerged bodies and wreckage (without knowing it) until daylight.

When the Titanic went down both Lightoller and Gracie felt hot water bubbling up to the surface and they were afraid of being burned by the heat rising up. There might have been a burst of heat expelling upwards towards Joughin, but I think the congestion of so many bodies and wreckage on the surface and slightly beneath the surface would have kept Joughin and several others alive for a considerable time, especially if they did not move and exert their energy. The less movement they did the better chance they had of surviving longer in those conditions. The majority I believe were screaming and yelling and waving their arms and kicking their feet. They would have died soon after, while Joughin and Prentice kept very still and did not speak or move until rescue was sighted and only then did they use their remaining energy to swim to the nearest boat.


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[SmileyGirl]

It would probably be a last minute effort to find something to keep afloat or to grab some form of insulation to keep them a fraction warmer when they entered the water. The sea might have been congested with bodies and all of their body heat would have provided a small amount of warmth to Joughin until they all died one by one, and only a few remained alive. Joughin did not see the collapsible until dawn was breaking and he noticed the survivors were already standing steadily with their arms over each other's shoulders and this I believe did not happen until some considerable time had passed. He may have been resting on several partially submerged bodies and wreckage (without knowing it) until daylight.

When the Titanic went down both Lightoller and Gracie felt hot water bubbling up to the surface and they were afraid of being burned by the heat rising up. There might have been a burst of heat expelling upwards towards Joughin, but I think the congestion of so many bodies and wreckage on the surface and slightly beneath the surface would have kept Joughin and several others alive for a considerable time, especially if they did not move and exert their energy. The less movement they did the better chance they had of surviving longer in those conditions. The majority I believe were screaming and yelling and waving their arms and kicking their feet. They would have died soon after, while Joughin and Prentice kept very still and did not speak or move until rescue was sighted and only then did they use their remaining energy to swim to the nearest boat.


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Good points Aaron thanks. Would it make a difference to how long you survived in the water if you were very active for the proceeding 2 hours (like Lightoller) and had worked up a sweat rather than sit and do nothing. Would that buy you time in the water?

 

[Aaron_2016]

The cold would make them feel very weak and their clothes would be saturated in water which would make them feel very heavy. The more they moved meant the less chance they had to preserve their energy to keep themselves conscious. I believe the conditions they were in would make them lose energy and heat rapidly and their bodies would go into shutdown mode and as soon as they began to fall asleep / lose consciousness, they would pass away. Lightoller would have taken control of the collapsible boat and kept his mind busy and awake by keeping the boat orderly. He said they prayed all night and were fighting for ever second of life until help could arrive.

Major Peuchen said - "I happened to have the cabin with three of them who were rescued, and they said they sustained their life by punching each other during the two or three hours they stood up. The minute any one got tired and sat down in the water, or at least very shortly thereafter, he floated off the raft, dead, I believe."

Staying conscious was the key to survival.

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[SmileyGirl]

Oh I do remember reading about them punching each other to keep themselves warm etc. Thanks Aaron.

 

[Cam Houseman]

You wake-up in a second class cabin at 23:41 hours on Sunday 14th April 1912 with no idea how you got there but will full realization of what is going to happen in the next 2 hours and 39 minutes. What would you do then?

You are a 30-something man travelling alone by the looks of it.

- Try to tell key people about what is going to happen and how best to avoid it and save as many lives as possible.

- Keep quiet and as inconspicuous as possible, find a place in one of Murdoch's starboard lifeboats and save yourself.

- Remain on-board as long as possible, trying to find out the truth about various controversial issues like Captain Smith's effectiveness as the ship sank, Boatswain Nichol's fate, how long and what music the band played, shots in the dark, the break-up etc and then try to find a place on Collapsible A or B?

- Something else?

I would investigate these ridiculous claims of Titanic sinking. Then, I would try to help as many people as possible. Make it to Murdoch's Lifeboats, or Collapsible A.

If I knew what happened?

I would stay below, help as many Third Class passengers. At least until 1:30, as that's until people realized, "gosh, she might actually sink" I would use the Grand Staircase to get up to the Boat Deck. Stand near Murdoch's Lifeboats, and help women and children in. I would go back down to C-Deck, see if anyone is on the Forecastle, try to witness the Daniel Buckley incident. After that, I would head down to D-Deck, at 1:45, to see if the Third Class General Room is flooded. If so, I would know Titanic is momentarily about to list to Port. If not, I would stay there and wander the Forecastle, looking at the anchor crane, and touching the anchor chains, bollards, and windlasses. When I hear a big splash, I turn and see the sea flooding the well deck. I would use the number 2 and 3 bunker hatches to avoid getting wet. I would head back up to B-Deck, and watch the forward well deck flood. (I would be keeping a journal on the times certain things and decks flooded) After watching Ismay leave, for I think he's innocent, (most likely ordered into a lifeboat, since I think he's innocent. After that, I would go look for people below, then return to the Boat Deck at 2:10. I would lend a hand to cut Collapsible A. When Titanic lurches and the wave forms, I would hunker down into Collapsible A to avoid being washed out, as Peter Daly was. I would keep a close eye on Captain Smith. Then, I return my vision to the ship, continuing to note the time of when the first funnel fell, the dome breaks, and look to see if the Grand Staircase floats out. Then, I note what happens during the break up. I have a list of breakups:
2012 sinking theory
Aaron_2016 breakup
1997 movie sinking
ANTR
HISTORY Channel 2006 or 2013 theory
then whichever one happens, I cross the others out, and put a check mark next to the correct one. I wAtch her sink, and then put my hands over my ears and try not to listen to the screams and pleas of the dying After I'm done being traumatized, I strike up a conversation with R.N Williams and ask him about his Furcoat. I would keep a sharp eye out for the Carpathia. I would also try to keep my fellow survivors alive in Collapsible A, by asking about their lives and stuff, to keep them distracted off of what happened.

Unfortunately, I do not know how far I would get, since I am mixed, (white and black) I know most people weren't very friendly, To Mr. Joseph and his family. During the voyage, Maybe I would try to talk to Molly Brown, and ask her if she is having a good time. Then, I adventure off to find Thomas Andrews and compliment him about Titanic's beauty. Ask him if he enjoys to draw, since I like to draw as well.

 

[Cam Houseman]

The cold would make them feel very weak and their clothes would be saturated in water which would make them feel very heavy. The more they moved meant the less chance they had to preserve their energy to keep themselves conscious. I believe the conditions they were in would make them lose energy and heat rapidly and their bodies would go into shutdown mode and as soon as they began to fall asleep / lose consciousness, they would pass away. Lightoller would have taken control of the collapsible boat and kept his mind busy and awake by keeping the boat orderly. He said they prayed all night and were fighting for ever second of life until help could arrive.

Major Peuchen said - "I happened to have the cabin with three of them who were rescued, and they said they sustained their life by punching each other during the two or three hours they stood up. The minute any one got tired and sat down in the water, or at least very shortly thereafter, he floated off the raft, dead, I believe."

Staying conscious was the key to survival.

.

Is it true that Major Peuchen dropped his wallet off the side of the ship?

 

[Linkocarinamaster]

You wake-up in a second class cabin at 23:41 hours on Sunday 14th April 1912 with no idea how you got there but will full realization of what is going to happen in the next 2 hours and 39 minutes. What would you do then?

You are a 30-something man travelling alone by the looks of it.

- Try to tell key people about what is going to happen and how best to avoid it and save as many lives as possible.

- Keep quiet and as inconspicuous as possible, find a place in one of Murdoch's starboard lifeboats and save yourself.

- Remain on-board as long as possible, trying to find out the truth about various controversial issues like Captain Smith's effectiveness as the ship sank, Boatswain Nichol's fate, how long and what music the band played, shots in the dark, the break-up etc and then try to find a place on Collapsible A or B?

- Something else?

Option A.

 

[Richard C Elliott]

You wake-up in a second class cabin at 23:41 hours on Sunday 14th April 1912 with no idea how you got there but will full realization of what is going to happen in the next 2 hours and 39 minutes. What would you do then?

You are a 30-something man travelling alone by the looks of it.

- Try to tell key people about what is going to happen and how best to avoid it and save as many lives as possible.

- Keep quiet and as inconspicuous as possible, find a place in one of Murdoch's starboard lifeboats and save yourself.

- Remain on-board as long as possible, trying to find out the truth about various controversial issues like Captain Smith's effectiveness as the ship sank, Boatswain Nichol's fate, how long and what music the band played, shots in the dark, the break-up etc and then try to find a place on Collapsible A or B?

Interesting!

I don't know how I got there but, since I have continuity of consciousness with a post-sinking existence, I immediately realise that time travel has become possible in my own 'original' timeline. I start to consider the possibilities for my 'future' timelines based on my reading of both time-travel fiction and books on the philosophy of time travel. I quickly conclude that there are a lot more negatives than positives to either options A or B. The same is true of C if I make it to one of the collapsibles. But what if I don't even try, and just start concentrate on collecting facts?

I may have been transported back in time accidentally, in which case there is little hope of a bright 'future' for me in any scenario, or I may have been sent back deliberately by person or persons unknown. In the latter case the perpetrator possibly intends to retrieve me with the information I have gathered. My best hope is probably to gather what data I can and hope that I will be retrieved at the last possible minute. If I am not I will never know that so there isn't much point worrying about it.

 

[Linkocarinamaster]

Option A.

It's also because I am an extremely considerate person, and I do not want anyone to die, at all. It immediately makes me feel guilty and sad whenever I hear about another life lost, a life that may have had so much potential if they would've lived. That's the true reason I chose option A.

 

[Arun Vajpey]

It's also because I am an extremely considerate person, and I do not want anyone to die, at all. It immediately makes me feel guilty and sad whenever I hear about another life lost, a life that may have had so much potential if they would've lived. That's the true reason I chose option A.

You sound like a very nice person. But the 'reality' (even in this hypothetical situation) was that even with best-case evacuation scenario, the 20 lifeboats that the Titanic carried could only accommodate about half of the 2200+ of people on board. That would mean that over 1000 people would unfortunately die anyway. But of course, if your attempt at Option A had succeeded, you might have saved nearly 500 more lives, which would certainly have been a worthwhile effort.

But what were the chances of it helping, even to some extent? It depended upon whom you chose as your "key people" to tell, which of necessity would have to include Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews. One of the important issues would be to persuade reluctant passengers to board the earlier lifeboats, which might be more difficult than at first glance, if one thinks about it. It would require convincing people like Purser McElroy, the two Masters-at-Arms and perhaps Boatswain Nichols to actively persuade first and third class passengers in the flooding bow section to get on to the boat deck and into lifeboats. That would also have required convincing people like Wilde and Lightoller that men could - and should - be allowed into lifeboats if there was room etc.

The other issue would have been time; the 2 hours and 40 minutes of the Titanic's 'sinking time' was not actually long for a ship its size and capacity. Even if you had managed to convince the Captain, the officers and other crew, who in turn had succeeded in mustering more passengers, the evacuation process would have proceeded more or less like it did in the real world. We must consider the fact that once it started, not much time was actually wasted in loading and launching lifeboats; even if they had started the evacuation some 15 or 20 minutes earlier in response to your input, the additional loading might have taken a bit more time. Then there is the possibility that with more urgent mustering of passengers, more of them would have arrived on the boat deck earlier and the realization that there would not be enough lifeboats for everyone dawned on them sooner. That would have had its own impact, including panic, attempts at rushing lifeboats etc.

 

[Linkocarinamaster]

You sound like a very nice person. But the 'reality' (even in this hypothetical situation) was that even with best-case evacuation scenario, the 20 lifeboats that the Titanic carried could only accommodate about half of the 2200+ of people on board. That would mean that over 1000 people would unfortunately die anyway. But of course, if your attempt at Option A had succeeded, you might have saved nearly 500 more lives, which would certainly have been a worthwhile effort.

But what were the chances of it helping, even to some extent? It depended upon whom you chose as your "key people" to tell, which of necessity would have to include Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews. One of the important issues would be to persuade reluctant passengers to board the earlier lifeboats, which might be more difficult than at first glance, if one thinks about it. It would require convincing people like Purser McElroy, the two Masters-at-Arms and perhaps Boatswain Nichols to actively persuade first and third class passengers in the flooding bow section to get on to the boat deck and into lifeboats. That would also have required convincing people like Wilde and Lightoller that men could - and should - be allowed into lifeboats if there was room etc.

The other issue would have been time; the 2 hours and 40 minutes of the Titanic's 'sinking time' was not actually long for a ship its size and capacity. Even if you had managed to convince the Captain, the officers and other crew, who in turn had succeeded in mustering more passengers, the evacuation process would have proceeded more or less like it did in the real world. We must consider the fact that once it started, not much time was actually wasted in loading and launching lifeboats; even if they had started the evacuation some 15 or 20 minutes earlier in response to your input, the additional loading might have taken a bit more time. Then there is the possibility that with more urgent mustering of passengers, more of them would have arrived on the boat deck earlier and the realization that there would not be enough lifeboats for everyone dawned on them sooner. That would have had its own impact, including panic, attempts at rushing lifeboats etc.

Thank you. That is a long explanation, but very helpful and knowledgeable!

 

[Notty]

A bit of an odd reply from me and probably not what the Op was after but, other than try to find some answers to some of the more puzzling yet easily answered, mysteries of that night the main thing I would do is get myself off on one of the lesser filled lifeboats on Mister Murdoch's side PDQ. We know that plenty of the earlier boats went off with room to spare so it's not as though someone else would die so I could live.

This might not be as selfish as it seems at first glance. My odds of influencing anyone that night are pretty slim, if not zero, especially as a second class passenger and the timescale available to me is very, very tight. But it would perhaps give me a chance to influence events a bit further down the line. After all, I'm now in 1912 with a working knowledge of what will happen over the next 100 plus years. Warn Sir Edward Grey to be absolutely clear to Germany about what would happen if they marched into Belgium? Suggest to a certain Archduke to get a better driver who won't get lost? And so on.

I can't do very much about that night in April but I am probably now the most important person in the world. I simply have to survive.