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 Titanic Disaster | 9pm Sunday Evening
Around 9 pm, Smith excused himself from dinner and joined Second
Officer Herbert Lightoller on the bridge. Lightoller was on duty from 6 to 10
pm. They discussed the changing weather conditions, namely that the drop in
temperature meant they were approaching a region of ice. They were both aware
that some ice was ahead and that bergs were more difficult to sea on clear,
calm, moonless nights such as this with no wind or swell to cause surf. Smith
retired for the night at 9:20 pm and told Lightoller, "If it becomes at all
doubtful, let me know at once." |
Back in the Marconi shack, Harold Bride had retired to bed while
Jack Phillips was busy wading through commercial traffic. Earlier in the day
their equipment had broken down and they were now backed up on outgoing
messages. Also they had now come into range of Cape Race, the nearest North
American shore station on the southeastern tip of Newfoundland. As Phillips,
busily worked the wireless apparatus, the Californian's sole wireless
operator, Cyril Evans, broke in with the message that they were stopped and
surrounded by ice. The ship was so close to the Titanic that the message
nearly blasted poor Phillips' ears off! Irritated, Phillips replied, "Shut up,
shut up. I am busy. I am working Cape Race." Shortly after, Evans turned off
his equipment and retired for the night, after working 18 continuous hours.
The day's seven ice warnings now indicated a huge field of ice about 78 miles
long, directly in the path of the Titanic. 
Sunday Morning Copyright 2001 WebTitanic WebTitanic Editor | Karl Metelko Contact WebTitanic |