I
SsgtC
Banned
So, this is my first timeline. It explores what could have been had Titanic not sunk on her maiden voyage. Due to the sheer number of butterflies created, I will be attempting to limit the timeline to events that specifically affect White Star Line or the people that were onboard Titanic that night. Comments are more than welcome.
10APR1912
At Noon, the RMS Titanic departs Southampton, England on her Maiden Voyage. She arrives at Cherbourg, France at 1900. The White Star tender, SS Nomadic begins ferrying passengers and cargo to and from Titanic. Titanic departs Cherbourg at 2100 for Queenstown, Ireland, her last stop before heading across the Atlantic for New York.
11APR1912
Titanic arrives in Queenstown, Ireland at 1230. She spends the next hour and a half taking on more passengers and cargo before departing at 1400 for New York, United States. Upon leaving Ireland, Titanic receives 6 warnings of ice along her course.
12APR1912
Titanic receives or intercepts 5 warnings of ice ahead. Only 2 of these messages are delivered to Captain Smith and later posted to the bridge as Senior Radio Operator Jack Philips and Junior Radio Operator Harold Bride, both employees of the Marconi Company, begin to send and receive message traffic from Cape Race in Newfoundland. At 2300 that night, the wireless set breaks down. Phillips and Bride work all night attempting to repair the radio.
13APR1912
Phillips and Bride finally repair the wireless set at 0600. They begin working through the backlog of messages that have accumulated in the 7 hours since the radio went down. During the day, 3 additional ice warnings are sent to Titanic.
14APR1912
Titanic begins receiving ice warnings at 0900, as SS Caronia, followed by SS Noordam, send the same ice warning to Titanic. Being Sunday, Captain Smith, Commodore of the White Star Line, orders lifeboat drill be held at 1100. This drill is mainly for the benefit of the crew, showing them their assigned stations in event of an emergency. Though passengers in all classes are also shown where to muster.
Fellow White Star liner RMS Baltic radios Titanic with yet another ice warning at 1342. This message is delivered to Captain Smith who proceeds to show it to J. Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line. Mr Ismay pockets this message. It is not posted to the bridge for the other officers to see until 1915. Shortly following the Baltic's warning, Titanic intercepts a messages sent by SS Amerika to the US Hydrographic Office warning of ice. This message is never delivered to the bridge.
At 1930, Titanic again intercepts an ice warning message. This time from SS Californian to SS Antillian. Unlike the previous intercept, this message is posted to the bridge.
At 2140, SS Mesaba sends an ice warning directly to Titanic warning of large bergs approximately 15 miles from Titanic's position. Due to being overwhelmed with message traffic to and from Cape Race, this warning is never delivered to the bridge. Roughly and hour and twenty minutes later, SS Californian sends a message to Titanic informing Titanic that they have stopped for the night due to being surrounded by ice. Jack Phillips, busy sending messages to and from Cape Race angrily responds, "Shut up, shut up. You're jamming my signal. I'm busy. I'm working Cape Race." Aboard Californian, wireless operator Cyril Evans waits approximately 20 minutes to inform Titanic of their position before giving up and shutting down his set for the night and retiring to bed.
The time is now 2339. Lookout Fredrick Fleet sounds the warning bell in the crow's nest and picks up the phone to the bridge. He informs Sixth Officer Moody, "Iceberg Right Ahead!" First Officer Murdoch orders all engines stop followed by full astern. He then orders the helm "hard-a-starboard." This has the effect of turning Titanic to port. Realizing how close the ship was to the berg, he orders the watertight doors closed.
2340. Titanic hits the iceberg along her starboard side. Murdoch orders "hard-a-port" to swing Titanic's stern away from the berg. Captain Smith arrives back on the bridge after having previously retired for the night at 2120. Upon arrival on the bridge, he is informed by First Officer Murdoch that Titanic has struck an iceberg. Captain Smith then orders Fourth Officer Boxhall to inspect the ship for damage. Boxhall finds that the Orlop Deck is flooded forward of the number 4 bulkhead.
Boxhall arrives back on the bridge by 2345 and reports the flooding to Captain Smith. At this point, Captain Smith orders the ship's architect, Thomas Andrews, and the Ship's Carpenter to sound the ship. He also orders Chief Officer Henry Wilde and Second Officer Charles Lightoller to attempt to slow the spread of the flooding and ensure that all hatches forward are secured. Fourth Officer Boxhall is ordered to fix Titanic's position.
15APR1912
Thomas Andrews arrives back on the bridge at midnight and informs Captain Smith that Titanic's first 6 compartments have been breached and that Titanic will founder in 1-2 hours. Upon hearing this, Captain Smith responds, "Like hell she will!" Captain Smith proceeds to order Third Officer Pittman and Fourth Officer Boxhall to prepare the lifeboats for lowering under the supervision of First Officer Murdoch. Fifth Officer Harold Lowe is ordered to strip the hatch covers from off the cargo holds and rig lines to attempt to fother the hull and slow the intake of water.
Five minutes after being informed of Thomas Andrews opinion of Titanic's condition, Captain Smith orders Phillips and Bride to being sending distress calls. Thomas Andrews and the Harland and Wolfe guarantee crew are asked to assist with damage control efforts, knowing the ship the best. They are specifically asked to help slow the intake of water and help get additional pumps hooked up to the main bilge pipe to increase Titanic's pumping capacity.
By 0015, Titanic's distress call has been acknowledged by Cape Race, SS Mount Temple and SS La Provence. Boiler room 5, the sixth watertight compartment reports to the bridge that the damage to the hull has been contained and the compartment pumped dry. Thomas Andrews and the
guarantee crew assist in connecting the Boiler Room Ash Ejectors to the main bilge pipe, adding additional pumping capacity to Titanic's bilge and ballast pumps.
By 0025, Fifth Officer Lowe sends the first hatch cover over the side by boiler room 6. Water pressure presses the canvas into the damaged seam, slowing the influx of water into the ship. Second Officer Lightoller reports to the bridge that, while the water in boiler room 6 is still rising, it is not rising as quickly. Captain Smith, following his duty to his passengers, orders "women and children first" into the boats. He specifically orders Murdoch to ensure each boat is filled to capacity before lowering. Harold Bride informs Captain Smith that RMS Carpathia has responded to their distress call with an ETA of four hours. Captain Smith dryly remarks, "we shall have to dress ship for their arrival." This remark quickly
makes its way through the ship, instilling confidence in passengers and crew alike. Unfortunately, some passengers now refuse to board the boats and must be physically forced into them.
Fifteen minutes after the first hatch cover was sent over the side, Fifth Officer Lowe sends the second and third hatch covers, tarred together, over the side by boiler room six. Charles Lightoller informs the bridge that the water is no longer rising in the compartment. Chief Officer Wilde has now assembled members of the crew with materials useful in containing the damage; primarily bedding, mattresses and lumber shoring beams. They are gathered just outside Boiler Room 6.
At 0045, Captain Smith orders Sixth Officer Moody to sound the ship again. Lifeboat 7 is the first boat lowered with 64 souls onboard. Moody reports back to the bridge at 0050 that Titanic is down 15 feet at the bow. The forepeak tank has flooded, though the forepeak itself is still dry. Compartment 2 is flooded up to E Deck. Compartments 3 and 4 are flooded up to F Deck. However the water level in Compartment 5 has dropped by ten feet and is continuing to drop.
The time is now 0055. Sixth Officer Lowe sends the fourth and fifth hatch covers over the side. These hatch covers cover the remainder of boiler room 6 and begin to fother the hull over Hold no. 3. The water in Compartment 6 is now down to the boiler room. The water inflow into compartment 4
has slowed, but is still rising, now beginning to flood F Deck. Lifeboats 5 and 6 are also lowered at this time. Carrying 66 and 62 souls respectively
At 0100, lifeboat 3 is launched with 68 souls on board. Lifeboats 1 and 8 follow at 0110 with 41 and 63 souls onboard.
Boiler room 6 becomes accessible by 0115. Chief Officer Wilde and Second Officer Lightoller lead their men to the damaged sections of hull and begin shoring up the damage. Titanic is now down only 10 feet at the bow. Thomas Andrews informs Captain Smith that as long as the pumps can keep up, Titanic should float.
In the 15 minutes between 0120 and 0135 lifeboats 9 through 16 are launched. They are carrying 64, 61, 60, 72, 65, 67, 62 and 65 souls respectively.
At 0140, Second Office Lightoller reports to the bridge that boiler room 6 has been pumped dry and the damage to the hull will be shored up within 30 minutes. Captain Smith commends the fine work that Wilde, Lightoller and their men have done. Fifth Officer Lowe sends over the lifeboat covers sewn into a larger piece and covered with tar to try and seal the damage to Hold no 3.
By 0145, lifeboats 2 and 4 are launched. They carry 39 and 66 passengers. Sixth officer Moody reports to Captain Smith that the flooding in Compartment 4 has been contained and that the pumps are now keeping up with the inflow. Shortly after this at 0150, Murdoch, Pitman and Boxhall rig the davit falls to collapsible boats A-D and begin filling them. These boats are launched between 0200 and 0215 with Captain Smith ordering First Officer Murdoch to accompany Collapsible D with Titanic's log book, "just in case." The collapsible boats are launched carrying 48, 45, 47 and 46 passengers. All boats have been launched by 0215 with 1,103 souls on board, leaving 1,121 on Titanic. Captain Smith orders all passengers and crew not actively assisting in damage control efforts to move as far aft as possible. This raises Titanic's head by six inches to one foot. Second Officer Lightoller reports to Captain Smith at 0225 that repairs to Compartment 5 are now completed. At 0240, the carpet in the First Class Reading and Writing Room is ripped up, tarred and sent over the side by hold no 3. The water level in compartment 4 begins dropping. The damaged hull section in Compartment 4 becomes accessible by 0330. Chief Officer Wilde and his men begin shoring up the damaged plating. At this time, Carpathia radios Titanic that they are close by. Titanic begins firing rockets at 10 minute intervals to aid Carpathia in locating her.
Captain Rostron of RMS Carpathia radios Titanic that they have them in sight at 0355. Titanic requests Carpathia send over damage control supplies and take off remaining passengers until Titanic is sufficiently repaired to get underway. At 0420, the Carpathia begins launching her boats to ferry
Titanic's passengers to her. All passengers are removed from Titanic by 0500.
At 0515 Second Officer Lightoller and Chief Officer Wilde report to Captain Smith that the damage to Compartment 4 has been shored up and is leaking only 100 GPH. Captain Smith personally commends both Chief Officer Wilde and Second Officer Lightoller and their men for their exceptional work. He
then orders the two officers and their men to get some rest. Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews then meet at 0530 to determine Titanic's maximum safe speed to avoid causing further damage to the hull or dislodging the repairs. Thomas Andrews recommends that Titanic not exceed 10 knots until more
permanent repairs are completed.
By 0600, the steamer Californian arrives on the scene, Captains Rostron and Smith request that Captain Lord take some of Titanic's passengers aboard to relieve space on Carpathia. Meanwhile, in New York, the New York Times, having misinterpreted radio messages, publishes a story claiming that RMS Titanic has sunk on her maiden voyage with the loss of over 1,200 souls. The White Star Line offices in NY quickly issue a denial, stating that Titanic was damaged, but is proceeding under her own power to NY. This is based off a message that Captain Smith sent to NY at 0700 that stated that Titanic had struck a berg, was damaged and will not arrive in NY until the 19th.
At 1000 ship's time, having completed additional damage control, Titanic begins taking passengers back aboard since neither Carpathia nor Californian have enough space aboard for all of Titanic's passengers and their own as well. Captain Smith orders half speed ahead at 1200, resuming Titanic's voyage to NY. Both Carpathia and Californian stay in company with Titanic in case her damage control efforts fail and it becomes necessary to abandon ship once again. Titanic is proceeding with only boiler rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 operating due to damage to boiler rooms 5 and 6. Once Titanic begins moving, water noticeably begins to enter compartments 4, 5 and 6. Though slow enough that the pumps are able to keep ahead of the
inflow. It is a tense voyage to NY, with the Ship's Carpenter and several crew members keeping a careful eye on the damage and performing continuing repairs as needed.
On April 19, 1912 at 1400, Titanic arrives safely in New York Harbor and ties up to the White Star Pier. All passengers are disembarked by 1700. Naval inspectors board soon after to begin evaluating what is need to repair Titanic. She is moved to a dry dock on April 21st at 0800. Upon draining the dry dock, it is discovered that Titanic has buckled hull plates for nearly 400 feet, with split seams for approximately 300 feet. Repairs begin immediately under the supervision of Thomas Andrews and other Harland and Wolff craftsman. Repairs are estimated to take 3 weeks.
Beginning on April 22nd, the US Senate begins a Court of Inquiry into the near loss of Titanic. The inquiry commends Captain Smith and his crew for their "steadfast devotion to duty and their unwavering efforts to save their ship." Thomas Andrews and Harland and Wolff are also commended for Titanic's design and for the strength of the ship and quality of construction. The Olympic-class liners are held up as an example of the safety of modern liners. With both Titanic and Olympic suffering damage to their hulls, but still being able to proceed under their own power. However, the Marconi Company, and radio operators Bride and Phillips are censured for placing priority on passenger traffic and not reporting all ice warnings to the bridge. The Court of Inquiry recommends several changes to shipping laws. Including a recommendation that all wireless operators be employees of the Shipping Line, not of the radio company. It also recommends that all wireless operators be retrained to prioritize ship's traffic over
passenger traffic. Additionally, the Court of Inquiry recommends that all new passenger liners be built with "sufficient compartmentalization to ensure the vessel can remain afloat with 1/4 of all compartments flooded." The fitting of search lights on the bridge is also highly recommended
to aid in vessel navigation at night. No comments are made regarding the number of lifeboats on board or the fact that Titanic's watertight bulkheads barely exceeded the height of the waterline throughout most of the hull. The US Senate also begins floating a proposal for an "ice patrol" to ensure shipping lanes are clear of ice. Privately, some members of the Court raise concerns about the accepted practice of large liners proceeding at full speed through areas of known ice at night, though these concerns are never entered into the official record.
Simultaneously with the Americans, the British Board of Trade convenes their own Court of Inquiry on May 2nd. As at the US Court of Inquiry, Captain Smith, his officers and his crew are highly commended for their actions. Thomas Andrews and Harland and Wolff are also commended for Titanic's design and construction. Unlike the US CoI, the British Board of Trade does not censure either Phillips or Bride for their role in the Titanic incident. The Court does however recommend that all wireless operators be employees of the shipping line, that priority be given to official message traffic and passenger traffic accepted on a "space available" basis. The Board of Trade likewise recommended that all liners be built with sufficient compartmentalization that they are able to remain afloat with 1/4 of all compartments flooded. Search lights mounted on the bridge are also given a favorable recommendation. Like the American Court of Inquiry, no comments are made about the number of lifeboats that Titanic carried, the height of the watertight bulkheads or the practice of steaming at full speed through areas of known ice.
On May 15th, 1912, RMS Titanic reenters service, departing NY for Southampton at 1200. Titanic's voyage is uneventful, arriving safely in Southampton on May 20th. Despite his promise to his wife and daughter to retire after Titanic's maiden voyage, the White Star Line convinces E.J. Smith to remain in command of Titanic until the 3rd Olympic-class liner, RMS Britannic, joins the fleet in 1914.
10APR1912
At Noon, the RMS Titanic departs Southampton, England on her Maiden Voyage. She arrives at Cherbourg, France at 1900. The White Star tender, SS Nomadic begins ferrying passengers and cargo to and from Titanic. Titanic departs Cherbourg at 2100 for Queenstown, Ireland, her last stop before heading across the Atlantic for New York.
11APR1912
Titanic arrives in Queenstown, Ireland at 1230. She spends the next hour and a half taking on more passengers and cargo before departing at 1400 for New York, United States. Upon leaving Ireland, Titanic receives 6 warnings of ice along her course.
12APR1912
Titanic receives or intercepts 5 warnings of ice ahead. Only 2 of these messages are delivered to Captain Smith and later posted to the bridge as Senior Radio Operator Jack Philips and Junior Radio Operator Harold Bride, both employees of the Marconi Company, begin to send and receive message traffic from Cape Race in Newfoundland. At 2300 that night, the wireless set breaks down. Phillips and Bride work all night attempting to repair the radio.
13APR1912
Phillips and Bride finally repair the wireless set at 0600. They begin working through the backlog of messages that have accumulated in the 7 hours since the radio went down. During the day, 3 additional ice warnings are sent to Titanic.
14APR1912
Titanic begins receiving ice warnings at 0900, as SS Caronia, followed by SS Noordam, send the same ice warning to Titanic. Being Sunday, Captain Smith, Commodore of the White Star Line, orders lifeboat drill be held at 1100. This drill is mainly for the benefit of the crew, showing them their assigned stations in event of an emergency. Though passengers in all classes are also shown where to muster.
Fellow White Star liner RMS Baltic radios Titanic with yet another ice warning at 1342. This message is delivered to Captain Smith who proceeds to show it to J. Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line. Mr Ismay pockets this message. It is not posted to the bridge for the other officers to see until 1915. Shortly following the Baltic's warning, Titanic intercepts a messages sent by SS Amerika to the US Hydrographic Office warning of ice. This message is never delivered to the bridge.
At 1930, Titanic again intercepts an ice warning message. This time from SS Californian to SS Antillian. Unlike the previous intercept, this message is posted to the bridge.
At 2140, SS Mesaba sends an ice warning directly to Titanic warning of large bergs approximately 15 miles from Titanic's position. Due to being overwhelmed with message traffic to and from Cape Race, this warning is never delivered to the bridge. Roughly and hour and twenty minutes later, SS Californian sends a message to Titanic informing Titanic that they have stopped for the night due to being surrounded by ice. Jack Phillips, busy sending messages to and from Cape Race angrily responds, "Shut up, shut up. You're jamming my signal. I'm busy. I'm working Cape Race." Aboard Californian, wireless operator Cyril Evans waits approximately 20 minutes to inform Titanic of their position before giving up and shutting down his set for the night and retiring to bed.
The time is now 2339. Lookout Fredrick Fleet sounds the warning bell in the crow's nest and picks up the phone to the bridge. He informs Sixth Officer Moody, "Iceberg Right Ahead!" First Officer Murdoch orders all engines stop followed by full astern. He then orders the helm "hard-a-starboard." This has the effect of turning Titanic to port. Realizing how close the ship was to the berg, he orders the watertight doors closed.
2340. Titanic hits the iceberg along her starboard side. Murdoch orders "hard-a-port" to swing Titanic's stern away from the berg. Captain Smith arrives back on the bridge after having previously retired for the night at 2120. Upon arrival on the bridge, he is informed by First Officer Murdoch that Titanic has struck an iceberg. Captain Smith then orders Fourth Officer Boxhall to inspect the ship for damage. Boxhall finds that the Orlop Deck is flooded forward of the number 4 bulkhead.
Boxhall arrives back on the bridge by 2345 and reports the flooding to Captain Smith. At this point, Captain Smith orders the ship's architect, Thomas Andrews, and the Ship's Carpenter to sound the ship. He also orders Chief Officer Henry Wilde and Second Officer Charles Lightoller to attempt to slow the spread of the flooding and ensure that all hatches forward are secured. Fourth Officer Boxhall is ordered to fix Titanic's position.
15APR1912
Thomas Andrews arrives back on the bridge at midnight and informs Captain Smith that Titanic's first 6 compartments have been breached and that Titanic will founder in 1-2 hours. Upon hearing this, Captain Smith responds, "Like hell she will!" Captain Smith proceeds to order Third Officer Pittman and Fourth Officer Boxhall to prepare the lifeboats for lowering under the supervision of First Officer Murdoch. Fifth Officer Harold Lowe is ordered to strip the hatch covers from off the cargo holds and rig lines to attempt to fother the hull and slow the intake of water.
Five minutes after being informed of Thomas Andrews opinion of Titanic's condition, Captain Smith orders Phillips and Bride to being sending distress calls. Thomas Andrews and the Harland and Wolfe guarantee crew are asked to assist with damage control efforts, knowing the ship the best. They are specifically asked to help slow the intake of water and help get additional pumps hooked up to the main bilge pipe to increase Titanic's pumping capacity.
By 0015, Titanic's distress call has been acknowledged by Cape Race, SS Mount Temple and SS La Provence. Boiler room 5, the sixth watertight compartment reports to the bridge that the damage to the hull has been contained and the compartment pumped dry. Thomas Andrews and the
guarantee crew assist in connecting the Boiler Room Ash Ejectors to the main bilge pipe, adding additional pumping capacity to Titanic's bilge and ballast pumps.
By 0025, Fifth Officer Lowe sends the first hatch cover over the side by boiler room 6. Water pressure presses the canvas into the damaged seam, slowing the influx of water into the ship. Second Officer Lightoller reports to the bridge that, while the water in boiler room 6 is still rising, it is not rising as quickly. Captain Smith, following his duty to his passengers, orders "women and children first" into the boats. He specifically orders Murdoch to ensure each boat is filled to capacity before lowering. Harold Bride informs Captain Smith that RMS Carpathia has responded to their distress call with an ETA of four hours. Captain Smith dryly remarks, "we shall have to dress ship for their arrival." This remark quickly
makes its way through the ship, instilling confidence in passengers and crew alike. Unfortunately, some passengers now refuse to board the boats and must be physically forced into them.
Fifteen minutes after the first hatch cover was sent over the side, Fifth Officer Lowe sends the second and third hatch covers, tarred together, over the side by boiler room six. Charles Lightoller informs the bridge that the water is no longer rising in the compartment. Chief Officer Wilde has now assembled members of the crew with materials useful in containing the damage; primarily bedding, mattresses and lumber shoring beams. They are gathered just outside Boiler Room 6.
At 0045, Captain Smith orders Sixth Officer Moody to sound the ship again. Lifeboat 7 is the first boat lowered with 64 souls onboard. Moody reports back to the bridge at 0050 that Titanic is down 15 feet at the bow. The forepeak tank has flooded, though the forepeak itself is still dry. Compartment 2 is flooded up to E Deck. Compartments 3 and 4 are flooded up to F Deck. However the water level in Compartment 5 has dropped by ten feet and is continuing to drop.
The time is now 0055. Sixth Officer Lowe sends the fourth and fifth hatch covers over the side. These hatch covers cover the remainder of boiler room 6 and begin to fother the hull over Hold no. 3. The water in Compartment 6 is now down to the boiler room. The water inflow into compartment 4
has slowed, but is still rising, now beginning to flood F Deck. Lifeboats 5 and 6 are also lowered at this time. Carrying 66 and 62 souls respectively
At 0100, lifeboat 3 is launched with 68 souls on board. Lifeboats 1 and 8 follow at 0110 with 41 and 63 souls onboard.
Boiler room 6 becomes accessible by 0115. Chief Officer Wilde and Second Officer Lightoller lead their men to the damaged sections of hull and begin shoring up the damage. Titanic is now down only 10 feet at the bow. Thomas Andrews informs Captain Smith that as long as the pumps can keep up, Titanic should float.
In the 15 minutes between 0120 and 0135 lifeboats 9 through 16 are launched. They are carrying 64, 61, 60, 72, 65, 67, 62 and 65 souls respectively.
At 0140, Second Office Lightoller reports to the bridge that boiler room 6 has been pumped dry and the damage to the hull will be shored up within 30 minutes. Captain Smith commends the fine work that Wilde, Lightoller and their men have done. Fifth Officer Lowe sends over the lifeboat covers sewn into a larger piece and covered with tar to try and seal the damage to Hold no 3.
By 0145, lifeboats 2 and 4 are launched. They carry 39 and 66 passengers. Sixth officer Moody reports to Captain Smith that the flooding in Compartment 4 has been contained and that the pumps are now keeping up with the inflow. Shortly after this at 0150, Murdoch, Pitman and Boxhall rig the davit falls to collapsible boats A-D and begin filling them. These boats are launched between 0200 and 0215 with Captain Smith ordering First Officer Murdoch to accompany Collapsible D with Titanic's log book, "just in case." The collapsible boats are launched carrying 48, 45, 47 and 46 passengers. All boats have been launched by 0215 with 1,103 souls on board, leaving 1,121 on Titanic. Captain Smith orders all passengers and crew not actively assisting in damage control efforts to move as far aft as possible. This raises Titanic's head by six inches to one foot. Second Officer Lightoller reports to Captain Smith at 0225 that repairs to Compartment 5 are now completed. At 0240, the carpet in the First Class Reading and Writing Room is ripped up, tarred and sent over the side by hold no 3. The water level in compartment 4 begins dropping. The damaged hull section in Compartment 4 becomes accessible by 0330. Chief Officer Wilde and his men begin shoring up the damaged plating. At this time, Carpathia radios Titanic that they are close by. Titanic begins firing rockets at 10 minute intervals to aid Carpathia in locating her.
Captain Rostron of RMS Carpathia radios Titanic that they have them in sight at 0355. Titanic requests Carpathia send over damage control supplies and take off remaining passengers until Titanic is sufficiently repaired to get underway. At 0420, the Carpathia begins launching her boats to ferry
Titanic's passengers to her. All passengers are removed from Titanic by 0500.
At 0515 Second Officer Lightoller and Chief Officer Wilde report to Captain Smith that the damage to Compartment 4 has been shored up and is leaking only 100 GPH. Captain Smith personally commends both Chief Officer Wilde and Second Officer Lightoller and their men for their exceptional work. He
then orders the two officers and their men to get some rest. Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews then meet at 0530 to determine Titanic's maximum safe speed to avoid causing further damage to the hull or dislodging the repairs. Thomas Andrews recommends that Titanic not exceed 10 knots until more
permanent repairs are completed.
By 0600, the steamer Californian arrives on the scene, Captains Rostron and Smith request that Captain Lord take some of Titanic's passengers aboard to relieve space on Carpathia. Meanwhile, in New York, the New York Times, having misinterpreted radio messages, publishes a story claiming that RMS Titanic has sunk on her maiden voyage with the loss of over 1,200 souls. The White Star Line offices in NY quickly issue a denial, stating that Titanic was damaged, but is proceeding under her own power to NY. This is based off a message that Captain Smith sent to NY at 0700 that stated that Titanic had struck a berg, was damaged and will not arrive in NY until the 19th.
At 1000 ship's time, having completed additional damage control, Titanic begins taking passengers back aboard since neither Carpathia nor Californian have enough space aboard for all of Titanic's passengers and their own as well. Captain Smith orders half speed ahead at 1200, resuming Titanic's voyage to NY. Both Carpathia and Californian stay in company with Titanic in case her damage control efforts fail and it becomes necessary to abandon ship once again. Titanic is proceeding with only boiler rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 operating due to damage to boiler rooms 5 and 6. Once Titanic begins moving, water noticeably begins to enter compartments 4, 5 and 6. Though slow enough that the pumps are able to keep ahead of the
inflow. It is a tense voyage to NY, with the Ship's Carpenter and several crew members keeping a careful eye on the damage and performing continuing repairs as needed.
On April 19, 1912 at 1400, Titanic arrives safely in New York Harbor and ties up to the White Star Pier. All passengers are disembarked by 1700. Naval inspectors board soon after to begin evaluating what is need to repair Titanic. She is moved to a dry dock on April 21st at 0800. Upon draining the dry dock, it is discovered that Titanic has buckled hull plates for nearly 400 feet, with split seams for approximately 300 feet. Repairs begin immediately under the supervision of Thomas Andrews and other Harland and Wolff craftsman. Repairs are estimated to take 3 weeks.
Beginning on April 22nd, the US Senate begins a Court of Inquiry into the near loss of Titanic. The inquiry commends Captain Smith and his crew for their "steadfast devotion to duty and their unwavering efforts to save their ship." Thomas Andrews and Harland and Wolff are also commended for Titanic's design and for the strength of the ship and quality of construction. The Olympic-class liners are held up as an example of the safety of modern liners. With both Titanic and Olympic suffering damage to their hulls, but still being able to proceed under their own power. However, the Marconi Company, and radio operators Bride and Phillips are censured for placing priority on passenger traffic and not reporting all ice warnings to the bridge. The Court of Inquiry recommends several changes to shipping laws. Including a recommendation that all wireless operators be employees of the Shipping Line, not of the radio company. It also recommends that all wireless operators be retrained to prioritize ship's traffic over
passenger traffic. Additionally, the Court of Inquiry recommends that all new passenger liners be built with "sufficient compartmentalization to ensure the vessel can remain afloat with 1/4 of all compartments flooded." The fitting of search lights on the bridge is also highly recommended
to aid in vessel navigation at night. No comments are made regarding the number of lifeboats on board or the fact that Titanic's watertight bulkheads barely exceeded the height of the waterline throughout most of the hull. The US Senate also begins floating a proposal for an "ice patrol" to ensure shipping lanes are clear of ice. Privately, some members of the Court raise concerns about the accepted practice of large liners proceeding at full speed through areas of known ice at night, though these concerns are never entered into the official record.
Simultaneously with the Americans, the British Board of Trade convenes their own Court of Inquiry on May 2nd. As at the US Court of Inquiry, Captain Smith, his officers and his crew are highly commended for their actions. Thomas Andrews and Harland and Wolff are also commended for Titanic's design and construction. Unlike the US CoI, the British Board of Trade does not censure either Phillips or Bride for their role in the Titanic incident. The Court does however recommend that all wireless operators be employees of the shipping line, that priority be given to official message traffic and passenger traffic accepted on a "space available" basis. The Board of Trade likewise recommended that all liners be built with sufficient compartmentalization that they are able to remain afloat with 1/4 of all compartments flooded. Search lights mounted on the bridge are also given a favorable recommendation. Like the American Court of Inquiry, no comments are made about the number of lifeboats that Titanic carried, the height of the watertight bulkheads or the practice of steaming at full speed through areas of known ice.
On May 15th, 1912, RMS Titanic reenters service, departing NY for Southampton at 1200. Titanic's voyage is uneventful, arriving safely in Southampton on May 20th. Despite his promise to his wife and daughter to retire after Titanic's maiden voyage, the White Star Line convinces E.J. Smith to remain in command of Titanic until the 3rd Olympic-class liner, RMS Britannic, joins the fleet in 1914.
