RMS Titanic [2] Trivia Quiz

Answer: March 31, 1909

The White Star Line wanted to draw customers away from their largest competitor, Cunard Lines. Cunard advertised their ships as the fastest, so it was decided by White Star to build three Olympic class liners: the Olympic, the Titanic and the Gigantic. (The Gigantic was renamed the Britannic after the Titanic sank.) They would advertise these liners as "The Largest Steamers In The World" and focus on luxury rather than speed.

Answer: White Star wanted only to meet the Board of Trade regulations.

At the time, the Board of Trade Regulations formula for the number of boats required for ships 10,000 tons and up had not changed since 1894. This meant that the Titanic could comply with the law by carrying enough boats for 27% of her passengers and crew.

It was felt by White Star that 16 lifeboats and 4 collapsible boats would be enough. The Titanic could stay afloat even if 4 of her watertight compartments were flooded, so 20 boats would be enough to ferry passengers and crew to rescue ships should it become necessary to abandon the ship. Carlisle proposed a plan that would increase the number of boats to 48, but the proposal was ignored by White Star.

Answer: White Star Lines never christened their ships.

"I name this ship 'Titanic.' May God bless her...and all who sail in her." is the opening line of the 1958 film "A Night To Remember", but the ship was never christened. White Star did not believe in elaborate christening ceremonies for launching their ships. Thousands turned out to watch, but no champagne bottle was broken on the hull. Several luncheons were provided by White Star and Harland & Wolff for the distinguished guests, such as Lord Pirrie and Bruce Ismay.

As a shipyard worker explained to a curious visitor who inquired about it, "They just builds 'er and shoves 'er in." (Quote from Walter Lord's book: "The Night Lives On" and the book "The RMS Titanic: Conception, Catastrophe & Legacy" by Captain Meghan Cleary.)

Answer: 1

The White Star Line only stated that they were "The Largest Steamers In The World". The magazine "Shipbuilder", in a special edition printed in 1911, pointed out, "The Captain may, by simply moving an electric switch, instantly close the watertight doors throughout and make the vessel practically unsinkable". Everyone believed that the 16 watertight compartments made the ship invulnerable to sinking.

Answer: 1

The Titanic only held one drill, consisting of lowering selected crew members while the ship was still docked. The crew entered boat 1; it was lowered, then raised again. This was common with White Star ships. Since there were not enough boats for all passengers and crew, only the crew had boat assignments.

The night of the sinking, the crew didn't have time to check the list, so some boats had more crew members than others.

Answer: Billy Carter, William Sloper and Daniel Buckley

Several passengers have been accused of this, but in my years of research, I have not found any sort of proof that this is fact. One was first-class passenger Billy Carter, who happened to get into a boat before his wife and children, and first-class passenger William Sloper was the target of a vindictive reporter who was refused an interview by Sloper. Third-class passenger Daniel Buckley was also accused; he was wearing a shawl that he claimed Mrs. John Jacob Astor had loaned to him to keep him warm after being rescued from the water by the crew of boat 4.

Answer: 0

While loading boat 14, a mob of passengers tried to rush the boat. Fifth Officer Harold Lowe fired several shots along the side of the ship to stop them, but no one was hit. During the loading of Collapsible C (the last boat to leave), another rush was made by passengers. Several survivors claimed that First Officer William Murdoch fired two warning shots in the air, then shot two men who were still trying to get into the boat, then himself.

This was never brought up at either the American or British inquiries, and no documented proof has been found; only that shots were fired as warnings.

Answer: There was no set procedure.

Most seamen didn't realize at that time what a valuable navigation tool wireless radio could be. On the Titanic, Captain Smith and his officers considered it a novelty, more for the passengers' use. Some messages did reach the bridge, however, and were noted on the bridge's navigational map, then ignored. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller testified at both inquiries that this was normal for White Star ships.

Answer: Her captain was too fearful of trying to navigate through the ice in the dark.

Apprentice Officer James Gibson and Second Officer Herbert Stone observed the rockets, and Stone notified Captain Stanley Lord of the fact. Lord suggested trying to contact the ship by Morse Code and ask her. The two ships were from ten to twenty miles apart. Both ships tried to contact each other via Morse Code, but were unable to reach one another.

The Officers testified at both Inquiries that they believed the rockets were distress signals, but wouldn't override Lord's orders to try to contact the Titanic by Morse.

They also testified that they thought the Titanic changed course and gradually disappeared to the southwest, when it actually sank.

Answer: He got in just as the crew was lowering the boat.

Collapsible C was the last boat to be lowered. There were so many passengers left, First Officer Murdoch had the crew lock arms blocking access, and only women and children were allowed through. The Titanic was listing heavily to starboard now, so Officer Murdoch decided to stop loading and send the boat away partially filled. Most passengers then ran toward the stern, hoping to find another boat. Ismay watched as the crew began to lower the boat, then suddenly rushed forward and jumped in.