by catt dahman
“Captain, should we not load the lifeboats with…umm…women and children first?” Lightoller asked. He did not know what to make of the Captain’s disposition. He already felt that only the first ones in the boats stood a chance; they had too many passengers and crews and too few lifeboats.
Lightoller swallowed back his fears, focusing on his duties and what he had, all of his adult life, been trained for. If nothing else, he would do his job well. That is what a real man did in crisis. He was expected to survive to help others, and failing that, give his own life for those of women or children in need.
So be it.
“We have two hours, I should say. The damage is too great, and the flooding is massive. I said we could make it with two or possibly three compartments flooded and that we could float dead in the water and wait for rescue with four damaged, but men, five of the compartments are broken open.” Andrews told the other men.
“Five?” Lightoller repeated, eyes huge.
“So they have reported. Sirs, we simply cannot stay afloat with the five damaged. Again, we have two hours, and then we are going down. The Titanic will sink,” Andrews finished.
Captain Smith nodded as he stared into nothing.
Lightoller wondered what caused the Captain to turn this pale and give up, but he did not dare ask. It had to be more than the ship sinking.
Once given the order, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride tapped out QED. The QE meant to listen and pay attention; this was serious. The D meant distress. They typed MGY, the ship’s call sign. To other operators, this meant the mighty Titanic, the unsinkable ship, was sinking and needed help quickly. They also typed SOS for save our ship.
The closest ship, the Carpathia, could be there in four hours. They set a steady course and turned to render aid.
In less than two hours, Titanic would sink.
Chapter 4: The Unthinkable, Unsinkable
When the stewards and stewardesses beat upon the doors, everyone was mystified as to why anyone would be awakened at almost midnight. Men and a few women clasped robes around themselves and demanded to know why their sleep was interrupted. Some were irritated, and a few were furious, but no one expressed worry.
The stewards said there was some sort of problem and everyone should dress warmly, put on life belts, and go to the boat deck. Delora and Annie Phillips were most put out at being awakened and being told to go into the cold weather. If this were a drill, they would scream at someone for awakening them.
“This ship is unsinkable, so why should we put on life jackets? What a silly protocol,” Annie fumed, “I feel this is a terrible breach of manners, and I intend to write a stern letter, regarding this issue.”
“We are being told to bring everyone to the boat deck to board the lifeboats,” the steward said.
“Those little boats hardly seem safe,” Delora said.
Howard dressed quickly and told them he would meet them on the boat deck and that they were to follow orders. “It’s probably some mistake, but in case the circumstances are dire, it is best to follow orders until we see what is amiss.”
Delora nodded, “You are right, Howard. I am sure the Captain will give us a full account once we are on the boat deck. Let’s imagine it is a new adventure, lest we leave anything doable undone.”
Annie shrugged, “Let’s look and see what it is about but go have a cup of tea while we see what is wrong. I have no desire to go out into the chill.”
“Did we hit the big fish?” Howard asked quietly.
“Fish?” Delora almost yelped, “What on earth are you on about?”
The steward shook his head, “No, Sir. It is a bit of ice we bumped. There is no…umm…fish involved here.”
Howard ignored his aunts’ furious eyes. “Howard, why are you going on about a fish? Have you lost your senses? I have told you about these fantasies….”
“Shhh. Please. I haven’t time to explain, but will you please reserve yourself?” Howard snapped. Surprised by his reaction, both women went silent.
In the hallway, other stewards awakened more passengers who were still in their cabins, waited for them to dress and don the life belts, and then sent them to the boat deck. A few passengers noted that they had felt a jolt a little earlier and wondered if something were wrong.
“What is this all about?” Maggie Brown demanded. “One of those boys just ran by and said they had been playing football with chunks of ice on the deck. Why would there be ice?”
“I do not know all the details, Ma’am,” the steward Edward Daniels told her. “We are to get everyone dressed and up to the top.”
“Are they playing football with ice? Hmmm? Are they?”
“It is said they were,” Daniels admitted.
John Morton, the young man who often sat by Jenny Cavendar at dinner, walked into view. He was fully dressed and wide-awake. He told them, “There is ice on the deck, and they say we’ve hit an iceberg.”
“An iceberg?” Maggie Brown looked to others’ faces.
“A jape. Oh, what a jest this is,” Stead declared, “they are playing upon my little book. An iceberg? Indeed,” he said as he laughed heartily.
“Sir, I saw the ice myself,” John protested.
Stead frowned. If this were real, then how curious he should be here; this was life imitating art.
The Prescotts protested loudly as the excitement awakened their young daughter. Caroline screamed angrily as her mother buckled the life belt around her. She did not wish to be up this late nor buckled into anything. She wanted to be in bed and cozy.
In fury, she threw her little red ball, and it plunked to the ground.
Then, it rolled quickly down the hallway, gaining speed.
“We’re listing,” John said, “did you see the ball? We are listing toward the bow and port. We must have hit the ice close to the front of the ship.” He did not know, but not only was he correct, but the lower decks and the bowels of the ship were partially flooded.
“I don’t know if that is so….” Stead said.
“But it seems so. You saw the ball and how it rolled. It stands to reason, logically, does it not?” John persisted.
Daniels looked at the carpets and refused to guess what was happening.
The Beckwiths, mother and stepfather of Helen Monypenny came out into the hallway, worried and irritated at being awakened and told to dress. “What is this about?”
Karl Behr joined them in the hallway, looking to Helen to be sure she was all right. She smiled his way.
Helen’s mother booked the European grand tour for her daughter, hoping to discourage the romance between them, but Karl Behr, unswayed, followed them and managed to book passage on the Titanic as well. Neither of the young people wanted to be swayed in their affections, and they wished to be married.
Helen reached for Karl’s hand, scared by John’s statements. Her mother glared but thought she would wait until later to chide her daughter for a public display of affection.
“Are we sinking?” Helen asked, “What does all of this mean. Mr. Morton? Are we in any danger?”
“Oh, goodness, Missy, do not even suggest such a thing,” Maggie Brown chuckled, “we are on an unsinkable ship. No doubt there is a problem; we are practicing, and the Captain is being overly cautious. Come along, and let’s join the rest.”
“I want to know what’s going on,” John said, “I saw the ice, and I know what I was told, but I also heard there is a rush to get into the lifeboats.”
“No emergency signals are going off,” Karl pointed out.
“Daniels, can you not tell us anything more?” Stead asked, “What is happening here?”
“The truth is, Sir, I have been told nothing. None of us have. The Captain has gone quiet, and it is said he is not speaking much. I suppose we did hit something, and it is said it was an iceberg we hit. I just do not know anything is the fact of the matter.”
“I would like to see and know for myself what the problem is,” said John Morton, a tall man,
heavier and larger than almost every other man aboard, not fat, but large. He was also a Texan, which is why he and the Cavendars had made such an easy friendship.
“And?”
“And Mrs. Brown, I am going to the depths of this ship and find out the truth for myself. I don’t feel anyone has been honest or is about to become truthful either,” John said.
Many a time, he had refused to ask one of the ranch hands to handle a problem, but roped a difficult bull himself, broke a horse, and dug a trench. He was one to do his own work. “No one knows anything.”
“Should we know?” Mrs. Beckwith asked, “We must follow orders and go to the boats as ordered. Helen, you need to dress warmly.”
“I cannot advocate getting aboard little lifeboats in the chilled air unless there is a very good reason. We should know the facts,” John said.
“I have to agree,” Stead nodded and said.
Peter Cavendar nodded, “I shall go with you. Jenny….”
“I’m going along, too,” she said.
“I would rather have you wait for us where it is warm and safe,” Peter said, “Mr. Murdoch told us there are twelve miles of corridors. We may have a long walk.”
Jenny sighed, “I am safe when I am with you, Father.” She knew she won the argument.
Edward Daniels began wringing his hands, “My orders are for you to go to the boat decks. Please.”
“Are we sinking? What is the damage?” John asked.
Daniels shook his head, “I wasn’t told, Sir.”
“Then how can we be sure of anything?” Helen asked.
“I have my own reasons for saying that if we are safe here on the ship, then we shouldn’t dare get on those tiny boats,” Howard said. “I believe we are amid some loathsome creatures in the sea.” He held a hand up so his aunts went about their business and did not chide him again.
“Creatures?”
“Let me only say I have seen some strange things from the deck. A crewman was injured horribly and is in the infirmary right now. I saw it for myself. A second crewman fell from the deck and was…well, lost.”
“What? Who knows about this? I haven’t heard a word of this,” Daniels declared.
Howard looked the other men in the eye, one by one, “Upon my word. I saw it myself, and the crewman was to report to Mr. Lightoller when the injured fellow was safe in the infirmary and with a physician. I suspect no one is focused on that now if we have a problem with an iceberg.”
“Then we know very little, as I said. Again, I am going to find out what is happening,” John repeated.
All around, passengers were following stewards and stewardesses to the boat deck, their faces sleepy and dazed. Most declared they would go to the lounge and have a drink but no farther.
“I am going along,” Maggie Brown said, “I want to know what is going on. I have never made it my practice to follow someone like a sheep. I would rather know the facts and make my own choices.”
Jenny and Helen looked at her with renewed respect. A fine, wealthy lady like Mrs. Brown had decided to go into the depths of the ship to find out facts for herself. This was an interesting moment.
It seemed women could wear high fashion and have good manners yet could remain independent and strong. How tough Maggie Brown really was, they could not imagine.
Mr. Stead, Bernice, Howard, and seven others said they were going as well, making Daniels groan. Ignoring her mother’s protests and grasps, Helen brushed her away and said she would go with Karl Behr. Eighteen passengers gazed at Edward Daniels defiantly, and he wilted under their glares, shrugged, and said he would escort them.
Mrs. Beckwith hissed as she called Helen back and threatened her, and then begged her to remain. Helen was sure if she let her mother, once again, give her orders, she would never become a strong woman herself. Helen wanted to marry and share a relationship but not be so desperate to have a man about that she gave up her own thoughts and ideals.
“Come along,” Daniels said. He did not know what he was to do with this large group of passengers headed off to explore the below-decks like a bunch of mystery-hunters. They did not understand he had orders to carry out.
A fellow steward hailed Daniels, “You’re going the wrong way, Mate. We are to go fill the boats.”
“I’ve an errand with these passengers.”
“Ah. It is no madder than anything else. We’ve the call to gather everyone at the boat deck and more have stopped at D to have a drink or play cards. Everyone is quite daft.”
“What’s the Captain saying?” Daniels asked, “Has he given any orders or spoken to anyone? What are we being told now?”
The other steward shrugged, “He’s not talking, much less givin’ orders. I’ve heard it’s chaotic except for Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Lightoller.”
They were the strongest and most sensible of the officers. Daniels felt relieved to know they were both taking control of the situation. “They will know what to do. They are the best officers….”
“But we know nothing, still,” Helen said.
“I know this is a smart idea that we are going to see for ourselves,” John said, “If y ‘all do not wish to go along, I will personally come find you and tell you what is going on.”
“I know you would, Mr. Morton, but we want to see,” Maggie said.
The large group descended the grand staircase, watching as many other passengers ascended in coats and life belts. Jenny always enjoyed the staircase, pretending to be a princess, but tonight, she hardly saw the exquisite details and opulence of the stairs.
Some of those going up the stairs carried small leather or embroidered bags or purses and wore coats but most carried nothing. Many women had donned furs as the ship had gone chilly.
“Mr. Astor. Mrs. Astor,” said Stead as he bowed a little as he greeted them. His eyes twinkled. “Out for a stroll this late?”
“I see they’ve awakened you.”
“Yes, they have. Mrs. Astor, I am sure everything is fine,” Stead told her, but she was all but burying her face in her husband’s shoulder.
“This is quite the farce,” John Astor declared, “Maddy is upset.” He slid to one side as she stopped to cling to an older, female friend she had made on the voyage. She whispered frantically, and the other women nodded in sympathy.
“Is she all right?” Maggie Brown asked.
“Her nerves are delicate. Being awakened like that…and we left her dog in the room. She is easily frightened.”
“It will all be fine,” Daniels said, “Sir.”
Astor was frowning, having left his warm bed in the palatial rooms. They had time to wash their faces in the private bathroom and dress before being led out.
His room had a private promenade and from there, he said, he had looked down; he confided in whispers so his wife could not hear; he had seen the queerest things.
Howard leaned forward, “What did you see?” He was curious, hoped to be backed up on his observations but was also afraid.
“The sea is closer. I would wager we are lower in the water. Is that not mad? And there seems to be a list to the ship. But that is not of concern as the ship cannot sink and we have lifeboats if needed.” He brushed the idea away with a wave in the air, “but what I saw was unbelievable,” said Astor.
“I feel I would believe, Sir, for I have had strange experiences and seen oddities,” Howard said, encouraging Mr. Astor.
“I have long enjoyed studying fish and have done my share of fishing in fresh water and salt, and I have seen some oddities, but nothing like this,” John Astor told them.
Howard, Stead, John, and the others listened.
“ A giant fin broke the calm waters, and its dorsal fin was seven or eight feet tall, maybe taller. I think he might have been a hundred feet long or longer.”
Stead laughed, “You’re having a jest.”
“It’s no jest. I saw it tonight as well when I was taking air earlier, and it frightened me. It is that large, indeed,” Howard said, �
�and it’s true what he is saying, about the fish, I mean, but there is far worse out there.”
“You are both serious? You did not say it was a fish you saw. You said one of the crewman was injured, and one fell into the water.”
Howard nodded at Stead, “I could not say it then, you’d have thought me addled, but the fish took the man when he fell into the sea.”
“And the other?” John Morton asked.
“They are the more loathsome, dangerous creatures imaginable. I fear we have traveled into a most horrid place. And time. There are horrid, dead creatures is all I can say. You would have to see them for yourself, but I do not wish that upon any of you.”
“Impossible,” Peter Cavendar said, “it’s no more than your nerves and a case of writer’s imagination.”
“But you said it was impossible anything was amiss until John confirmed we had hit ice,” Jenny said.
“Ice? So it’s true?” Astor asked.
“We’re going down to check on things ourselves in a great adventure,” Maggie Brown said, “so we know the facts, but John here confirmed that the ship indeed hit an iceberg as there is ice on the top deck, and we are lower in the water and listing a little.”
“And because of that large shark, I fear the waters might not be safe for us in little life boats,” Howard added.
“Good God,” Astor whispered, “I’ll take Maddy up at once and see what’s going on above us. Carry on and God speed. I agree we might be safer here than on the little boats.”
“God speed to you as well, Sir,” John said.
“I’ll take Maddy up and we shall have a brandy and then see what the business is. Hopefully in a short time, we shall be able to return to our rooms. Our dog, Kitty, gets nervous when left alone,” he said loudly.
Maddy Astor clung to her husband, her face pale.
“Are you alright, Dear?” Maggie Brown asked.
Maddy clandestinely touched her lower stomach and made a shhh sound. Maggie nodded with a broad smile. “You take care of her, John; she’s a doll. You be strong now, Mrs. Astor.”
