A Human Tragedy
Monday, April 15th, just after midnight. Captain Smith gives the order to start uncovering the lifeboats.
Passengers begin to assemble in the forward first class entrance. Many are getting cold from the chilly air, and go back inside. A rush of third class passengers arrive on the deck – hoping there may be spaces for some of them.
Captain Smith orders Second Officer Charles Lightoller to organise the lifeboats…..strictly women and children first.
The Californian, possibly 15 miles away, sees lights of a steamer. The Californian tries unsuccessfully to make contact by Morse lamp. Rockets are spotted, but they do not look like distress rockets. There is no great concern, and the distance between the ships increases.
The Carpathia, 58 miles to the South East, receives a distress call and heads, full speed, to the rescue.
Titanic has room in the lifeboats for 1,178 of the estimated 2,227 on board if every boat is filled.
The youngest passenger is two-month-old Millvina Dean Her parents have decided to leave England for America – hoping to open a tobacco shop in Kansas..
The Southampton family are travelling in third class.
Millvina’s father feels the crunch of the collision. He goes up on deck to investigate. He returns to their cabin and tells his wife to dress their children and go up on deck.
Millvina, her mother and brother are placed in lifeboat 10 and are among the first to get off the liner. Millvena’s father remains on board – to await his fate.
Lizzie Chapman, 29, newly married, is travelling with her husband. She is placed in lifeboat 4 but, when she realises she has to go alone, she turns to her friend and says: “Goodbye. If John can’t go, I won’t go either.”
One of the last lifeboats to leave on the starboard side contains the Chairman of the White Star Line, J. Bruce Ismay. Mr Ismay, well over six feet tall, dwarfs the other survivors – most have no idea who he is.
By 1.30 am, several lifeboats have been lowered, many still with plenty of spaces. One, with a capacity of 40, has 12 people on board. Lifeboat 10 contains a man in women’s clothes.
By now there are signs of panic. As a group appear ready to jump into a boat already full, a shot is fired. An officer is trying to warn them away.
The distress calls from Titanic are becoming more desperate.
"We are sinking fast. Women and children in boats. Cannot last much longer.” Water is now only ten feet below the promenade deck. Passengers getting into lifeboats see the band playing, with water up to the musicians’ knees. Just after 2 am, there are still more than 1,500 people left on the sinking ship. The wireless operators are released from their duties.
Captain Smith tells crew members: "It's every man for himself," and returns to the bridge. The ship’s builder, Thomas Andrews, is seen alone in the first class smoking room. Titanic's bow plunges under the waves.
Many passengers and crew jump overboard. The forward funnel collapses, killing several of the swimmers.
At 2.18 there is a roar across the ocean. All moveable objects crash towards the submerged bow. The lights blink once, and go out forever.
At 4:10 am the first lifeboat, number two, is picked up by Carpathia. Just over four hours later the last boat, number 12, is hoisted aboard. The Carpathia heads for New York with 705 survivors including baby Millvina Dean and Mr Ismay..
Standing here today, I feel humbled by the many stories of heroism, death, and the devastating effect on families. Many people watching and taking part in our ceremonies will have had relatives aboard the Titanic.
I recently discovered that my great uncle died in the sinking, aged 47.
His body was never identified. I was astonished to discover my links with the tragedy when Meridian filmed an item on my family tree. James Richard Dinenage lived at 4 Cawte Road in Freemantle, Southampton.
He served aboard the Oceanic and later joined Titanic in Southampton as a first class steward. He left a widow and a 20-year-old son…...and they received five shillings a week from the Titanic Relief Fund. A welcome boost for the family, following the loss of the main breadwinner.
“We remember those who perished
100 years have gone
Now well into the future
Their memories live on”
© These 'Titanic' documents are the original work of David Meikle, cleverwriting.co.uk. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.