A recent episode of the podcast "Buried Evidence" has revisited the sinking of the RMS Titanic, with author Duncan Barrett examining the decisions made by individuals in positions of authority that may have cost lives.
Barrett, creator of the 14-part series "Titanic: Ship of Dreams," discussed with hosts Rebecca Rideal and Raksha Dave the circumstances surrounding the 1912 maiden voyage disaster. The podcast, brought to you by The Crime Desk, delves into the choices made by those at the center of the tragedy and whether different decisions could have saved lives.
The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic after striking an iceberg, a collision that breached five of its watertight compartments, exceeding its design capacity. Over 1,500 people died in the incident on April 15, 1912.
Bruce Ismay, chairman and managing director of the White Star Line, which owned the Titanic, is among those scrutinized. Barrett noted that Ismay rejected a proposal to add more lifeboats during the ship's development. "He basically nixed it and said: 'No, we don't. No one is telling us to have extra lifeboats,'" Barrett stated, adding that Ismay was concerned about the aesthetics and the space they would occupy for first-class passengers.
Ismay's decision was viewed critically after the sinking, especially given he was among those who took a place on a lifeboat. However, Barrett pointed out that Ismay was acting within the legal requirements of the time, as the Board of Trade mandated 16 lifeboats, and the Titanic carried 20.
Captain Edward John Smith, the ship's commander, is another figure whose actions are examined. Smith, a veteran White Star captain nearing retirement, was reportedly in his cabin when the ship struck the iceberg. Barrett suggested that while Smith was a capable sailor, he might have been unaccustomed to commanding a vessel of the Titanic's immense size. The captain proceeded at speed despite receiving warnings about ice in the area.
Concerns were also raised about the coordination of the evacuation. Barrett noted a lack of clear management during the loading of lifeboats, with officers interpreting orders differently. First Officer William Murdoch and Second Officer Charles Lightoller were both instructed to prioritize women and children, but their interpretations varied, leading to some lifeboats departing partially empty.
Unlike Ismay, Captain Smith died with his passengers, a fact Barrett suggested has historically led to less severe criticism of his command.
Barrett also discussed First Officer Murdoch, who was on the bridge when the iceberg was sighted. The attempt to maneuver the ship around the iceberg was a risky maneuver. New scientific analysis, as presented by Tim Maltin, suggests that a mirage effect caused by the confluence of warm and cold waters may have distorted visibility, potentially explaining why the iceberg was not seen sooner. This atmospheric condition might also explain why a nearby ship did not respond to the distress signals.
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