3. The Fateful Night: Collision and Chaos
The Titanic was gliding across the calm, dark North Atlantic at almost full speed on April 14, 1912, late night. Captain Smith had not changed the ship’s course or drastically slowed it despite many ice warnings received during the day. Frederick Fleet promptly notified the bridge at 11:40 PM after spotting an iceberg squarely in the route of the ship. William Murdoch, first officer, directed an evasive manoeuvre but it was too late. The starboard side of the Titanic scraped into the iceberg, producing a sequence of punctures beneath the waterline.
Many of the passengers first didn’t know how serious the problem was. Most people felt the collision as a minor shiver, and for some time life on the ship carried on as usual. But it became abundantly evident that the damage was significant when water started to enter the lower compartments. On board, ship architect Thomas Andrews told Captain Smith the Titanic would sink in a few hours. The ship deemed “unsinkable” was nearing death.
Chaos started to play out as the truth of the circumstances sank in. Notwithstanding several difficulties, the crew hurried to get lifeboats ready and evacuate people. Tragic blunder that would have cost many lives: insufficient lifeboats to fit all passengers and personnel. Confusion and incredulity impeded and disorganised the evacuation effort. Particularly those in first class, many passengers were hesitant to leave the ship’s supposed safety for little, open lifeboats.
The evacuation highlighted even more the clear differences across social levels. While many third-class passengers discovered themselves caught beneath decks, unable to reach the boat deck, first-class passengers were granted preferential access to lifeboats. Generally speaking, the “women and children first” approach was adopted, increasing the survival rate for these groups; nevertheless, it also meant that many men, from all backgrounds, were left behind to face certain death.
Unquestionably, the gravity of the situation grew as the ship’s bow sank farther into the sea. Crew members and passengers had to make terrible choices and heartbreaking split-offs. Knowing they probably would never see each other again, husbands bid farewell to spouses, parents to children. Acting with great bravery and expertise, the ship’s band kept playing music on the deck to help the terrified passengers relax until very last.