Titanic: Icebergs

Titanic: Icebergs by ric gustafson


The night of April 14 1912 was calm. The sea was calm and their was no wind or fog. The stars in the sky were bright that cold night. It was a glittering night illuminated by starlight.  The liner Carmania docked in New York and reported that at least twenty five bergs of four hundred feet were farther south than usual. Mariners were convinced that March nor'easters were driving bergs, growlers and field ice into the North Atlantic shipping lanes. The passengers did not know about the huge ice field before the ship headed into it.
Reaction to the collision was slight. The first to realize the damage were the postal officers on E Deck. Passengers started to worry when the ship stopped. Ice warnings had started earlier in the day when the liner Caronia warned of bergs, growlers and field ice. Before noon, the liners Amerika and Noordam reported much ice.
Thirty five minutes after the collision, Captain Smith ordered Phillips to send out the first CQD. The liner Carpathia received the call at oo15. Operator Harold Cottam replied and asked about getting the Captain. Phillips replied ' yes come quick'. On the Californian, Operator Cyril Evans told Phillips that their ship was stopped and surrounded by ice. Phillips replied and told him to shut up that he was jamming their signal.


research help: ' Titanic Tragedy' by John Maxtone Graham


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric