Report into the Loss of the SS Titanic A Centennial Reappraisal

by Halpern, Samuel; Akers-Jordan, Cathy; Behe, George; Beveridge, Bruce; Chirnside, Mark; Fitch, Tad; Gittins, Dave; Hall, Steve; Mitcham, Lester J.; Weeks, Captain Charles; Wormstedt, Bill; Layton, J. Kent

• ISBN13: 9780752462103
• ISBN10: 0752462105
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-01
• Publisher: The History Press

Summary

An incredible group of experts reappraise the loss of the Titanicbased on evidence that has come to light since the discovery of the wreck in 1985 Here, a team of dedicated, passionate, and expert authors issue their modern-day version of the report on the Titanic, with all the benefits of hindsight. Following the basic layout of the report, this ultimate Titanicreference book, provides fascinating insights into the ship herself, the American and British inquiries, the passengers and crew, the fateful journey and ice warnings received, the damage and sinking, protocol and process of rescue, the circumstances in connection with the SS Californianand SS Mount Temple, and the aftermath and ramifications around the world. These experts offer the last words on the subject, 100 years on.

Author Biography

Samuel Halpern has written 25 articles on Titanic and is a member of the Titanic Historical Society and Titanic International Society. He lives in Chicago. Cathy Akers-Jordan is a professor at University of Michigan-Flint who has presented at the Titanic Symposium at the Maine Maritime Academy. She lives in Davison, Michigan. Geoge Behe is the author of Titanic: Safety, Speed and Sacrifice. He lives in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Bruce Beveridge is a coauthor of Titanic: The Ship Magnificent. He lives in Chicago. Mark Chirnside is the author of The Olympic Class Ships, RMS Aquitania, RMS Majestic, and RMS Olympic. Tad Fitch is a Titanic scholar who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Dave Gittins is a Titanic scholar. He lives in Brook Park, Ohio. Steve Hall is a coauthor of Titanic: The Ship Magnificent. Lester J Mitcham is a Titanic scholar. Capt. Charles Weeks is a professor of marine transportation and nautical science at the Maine Maritime Academy. He lives in Maine. Bill Wormstedt is an Olympic scholar. He lives in Washington. J. Kent Layton is the author of Lusitania. He lives in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 7
Preface	p. 9
Introduction	p. 13
Background and Purpose	p. 13
Questions to be Addressed	p. 14
A Note About References	p. 16
Two Nations, Two Inquiries	p. 17
The American Inquiry	p. 17
The Board of Trade	p. 18
The Origins of the British Inquiry	p. 19
The Conduct of the Inquiries	p. 22
Findings of the Inquiries	p. 22
Description of the Ship	p. 27
The White Star Line	p. 27
Overall Specifications of the Vessel	p. 27
Watertight Subdivision and Floodable Lengths	p. 29
Decks and Accommodation	p. 30
Access of Passengers and Crew to the Boat Deck	p. 38
Structure of the Vessel	p. 39
Watertight Bulkheads, Doors and Double Bottom	p. 40
Side Doors and Accommodation Ladder	p. 44
Masts and Rigging	p. 45
Lifesaving Appliances	p. 46
Working Arrangement of the Ship	p. 49
Navigation Lights	p. 51
Electrical Installation	p. 52
Communications and Signalling	p. 53
Arrangement of Machinery and Pumps	p. 54
Plate Section	p. 61
Passengers and Crew / Lost and Saved	p. 67
Account of the Ship's Journey Across the Atlantic	p. 71
Sailing Orders	p. 71
The Route Followed and Speed of the Ship	p. 71
Time Changes that Took Place	p. 76
Weather Encountered Along the Route	p. 79
Ice Messages Received	p. 80
Actions Taken or Not Taken to Avoid Ice	p. 83
Visibility Conditions Encountered Sunday Night	p. 85
The Row About Missing Binoculars	p. 88
The Collision	p. 89
Description of the Damage to the Ship	p. 100
Extent and Nature of the Damage Caused by the Allision	p. 100
Flooding in the Early, Middle and Latter Stages	p. 102
Effect of the Flooding on the Ship's Stability	p. 114
Stresses Imposed on the Hull and the Observed Breakup	p. 118
Fire D own Below	p. 122
Location and Time of Foundering	p. 126
The Wreck Site	p. 127
An Account of the Saving of Those on Board	p. 131
Order Given to Clear the Boats	p. 131
Order Given to Get Passengers on Deck and Wearing Lifebelts	p. 132
Order Given to Load the Boats with Women and Children	p. 132
Access to the Lifeboats	p. 133
Lifeboat Launch Sequence	p. 134
Lifeboat Occupancy Estimates	p. 136
The Recovery of Titanic's Lifeboats	p. 144
Means Taken to Procure Assistance	p. 145
Reported Incidents and Conduct of Those in the Boats	p. 150
Too Few Boats, Too Many Hindrances	p. 164
The Origin of the Lifeboat Rules	p. 164
What Might Have Been	p. 166
Separation of Classes	p. 167
A Question of Locked Gates	p. 168
The Rescue by the SS Carpathia	p. 171
Rescue by Carpathia	p. 111
Carpathia's Navigation	p. 175
Carpathia's Mystery Ship	p. 177
The Circumstances in Connection with the SS California	p. 181
Californian's Route of Travel	p. 181
Californian's Stopped Dead Reckoning Position	p. 183
Summary of Events Seen During the Night	p. 185
Summary of Actions Taken at Dawn	p. 187
A Closer Look at Stone's Mysterious Tramp	p. 188
Where was Californian Relative to Titanic?	p. 192
Answers to Objections Raised	p. 201
Titanic's Mystery Steamer	p. 204
A Few Remaining Issues	p. 206
Assessment of Actions Taken by Captain Lord	p. 210
The Circumstances in Connection with the SS Mount Temple	p. 219
Mount Temple's Route of Travel	p. 219
Intercept of Titanic's Distress Signals and Actions Taken	p. 220
Location of Mount Temple Relative to Californian and Carpathia	p. 222
Reported Sightings from Mount Temple	p. 224
Assessment of Actions Taken by Captain Moore	p. 227
Plate Section	p. 230
The Aftermath of the Disaster	p. 236
Effect of the Disaster on Modifications Made to Olympic and Britannic	p. 236
The International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)	p. 240
Chronology of Events with References and Notes	p. 247
Summary of the Findings of this Report	p. 276
About the Ship	p. 276
About Passengers and Crew On Board	p. 278
About the Route Followed and Warnings Received	p. 278
About the Collision and Flooding	p. 280
About Taking to the Boats and Calling for Assistance	p. 282
About the Rescue and Actions of Other Vessels	p. 283
Appendices
First Class Passengers	p. 285
Second Class Passengers	p. 292
Third Class Passengers	p. 298
Deck Department Crew	p. 312
Engine Department Crew	p. 314
Victualling Department Crew	p. 323
Times Gone "Wrong	p. 337
A Few Eyewitness Reports	p. 340
Lifeboat Recovery Times	p. 342
The Question of Locked Gates	p. 352
Bibliography	p. 376
Books and Booklets Referenced	p. 376
Printed Articles and Documents Referenced	p. 376
Referenced Website Articles and Sources	p. 378
Other Suggested Reading	p. 379
Websites Worth Visiting	p. 379
Index	p. 300
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