Questions – Titanic.

J. Bruce Ismay

J. Bruce Ismay was an English businessman who served as chairman and managing director of the White Star Line of steamshipsIsmay occasionally accompanied his ships on their maiden voyages, and the Titanic was one of them.

During the voyage, Ismay talked with chief engineer Joseph Bell about a possible test of speed if time permitted. When the ship hit an iceberg 400 miles south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and started sinking on the night of 14 April 1912, Ismay was rescued in Collapsible Lifeboat C. He testified that as the ship was in her final moments, he turned away, unable to watch his creation sink beneath the waters of the North Atlantic.

After being picked up by the Carpathia, Ismay was led to the cabin belonging to the ship's doctor, which he reportedly did not leave for the entire journey. He ate nothing solid, received only a single visitor, and was kept under the influence of opiates.

After the disaster, Ismay was savaged by both the American and the British press for deserting the ship while women and children were still on board. Some papers called him the "Coward of the Titanic" or "J. Brute Ismay" and suggested that the White Star flag be changed to a white liver.

Can anyone find the correct answers to following:

1. Did  Mr. Bruce Ismay while having breakfast with Captain E.J.Smith suggested to  him that the remaining two boilers should be fired and speed increased in order to reach New York twelve hours early to make head lines in the New York Times?
 
The Titanic did make headlines.  Not only in the New York Times but all over the world.

2. Did the Captain tell Mr. Ismay, that the ship was making good speed and an increase of the same was not necessary?

3. As Mr.Ismay did not get a proper response from the Captain, did he go down to the Engine Room and advise the Chief Engineer to fire remaining boilers and increase the speed? 

4. If he did so, then the Chief Engineer did something against the ship’s command!

Ice warning: The presence of ice in the vicinity had been received by the ship by this time.  JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT

5. Was there a delay from the Lookouts in the Crows Nest informing the bridge of the presence of Iceberg in the vicinity?  In this case right ahead?

6. Was there a delay in OOW taking action? He called the First Officer. Why did he not  alert  the Master?

William Murdoch

First Officer William Murdoch appeared on the bridge sighted the ice, and ordered the ship to be steered around the obstacle and the engines to be put in reverse. The Vessel was cruising at full speed at approximately 21 kts.  It would have definitely taken a few minutes before stopping and reversing itself.  

The Master was called and came in after the ship struck the iceberg. Naturally, the Master who may have been sleeping needs few minutes depending on the circumstances of the case. In this case, I guess at least five to six minutes to come on the bridge.

7. Why didn’t First Officer Murdoch alter course to Port? He would have had the entire Atlantic ocean to himself.  The reduced speed would have given him time to call the Master. The Master would have had an opportunity to  assess the situation and take appropriate action.