Charles lightoller 30 james street home of titanic. Titanic and other ships by lightoller, first edition abebooks. Tip united states senate inquiry day 1 testimony of. She was dismasted in a storm in the south atlantic. Titanic and other ships lightoller, charles herbert on.
He had instructed the lookouts to keep a close vigil for ice. On his second voyage, his ship was demasted twice before running aground on a deserted island. Second officer charles lightoller was the most senior officer that survived, the other three were third officer herbert john pitman, fourth officer joseph groves boxhall, and fifth officer harold godfrey lowe. Lightollers heroism on the night of 14 april 1912, when the titanic ran into an iceberg and sank, has often been told in books and films. Charles lightoller was born in chorley, lancashire, england on 30th march 1874, and a mere thirteen years later, he had already gone to sea. He was born into a cotton family who owned the lightoller mill in chorley.
Charles herbert lightoller was born on may 30, 1874 in chorley, lancashire. Charles lightoller wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. This swiss made pocket watch has the name charles h lightoller engraved on the reverse with 2nd officer shows oxidization and rust that could certainly be attributed to being under water. Whilst her grandfather lightoller was not on watch at the time of the collision, her book good as gold reveals that a dramatic final meeting of the four senior officers took place in the first officers cabin shortly before titanic went down. More of a docudrama than a conventional narrative, the affecting and beautifully made movie version of walter lords bestselling book stars kenneth more as its sternjawed hero, second officer charles lightoller. The face of the watch has a crack and the hands remain frozen in time reading 2. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names.
I usually take a couple of minutes on the first of june to say something about lightoller and dunkirk on a message board or two. Apr 14, 2019 4 revelations about the titanic disaster on the night of 1415 april 1912, a brandnew, supposedly unsinkable ship the largest and most luxurious vessel in the world at the time collided with an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage. On april 1, 1912, the vessel was only nine days away from its scheduled departure on its maiden voyage, and yet the ship, the largest ever built up to the time, had. The rms titanic was the worlds biggest passenger liner when it left southampton,england,for new york on its maiden voyage on april 10, 1912.
Charles lightollers secrets st margarets community. Louise patten said charles lightoller, who was second officer on. Charles lightoller stayed aboard the titanic until the end. The titanic hit an iceberg in 1912 because of a basic steering error. Titanics 2nd officer lightoller in a night to remember.
Lightoller was decorated for gallantry as a naval officer in the first world war and later. Charles herbert lightoller, who was the senior surviving officer. Buy titanic and other ships by lightoller, charles herbert isbn. Titanic and other ships by lightoller, used abebooks. He first assignment was as fourth officer of the medic, a 12,000 ton passengercargo liner on the britain south africa australia run. Weve already looked at the life of the incredible wallace henry hartley, who drowned on board the titanic but this is the tale of charles lightoller who not only survived the disaster but went on to serve in the royal navy during the great war and then later sailed to france to help british troops escape the beaches of dunkirk. Charles lightoller as told by of the story of the titanic as.
Charles lightoller survived the sinking of the titanic. As a result of this shift, lightoller was moved down to second officer, the position he would hold throughout his voyage on titanic. In 1900, he began his career with white star liner, the shipping company that operated and owned the titanic. For anyone that has ever read walter lords book, a night to remember the film does not disappoint and is truly one of the best movies ever made about the disaster. Sunday, the 14th of april, 1912 and it is four days into the titanics maiden. Historical records and family trees related to charles lightoller. In 1905 a mutiny took place on the oceanic, as published in the new york times of october 12, 1912. Unfortunately, charles didnt have the best start in life, as his mother tragically died shortly after giving birth to him, and his father abandoned him for new zealand. In his book titanic and other ships senior surviving officer charles herbert lightoller described the storage, purpose and use of guns aboard titanic in the following passage. Lightollers early career at sea was packed with neardisaster and highdrama, which he came through unscathed, although it must have made a much better man of him. Lightoller titanic and other ships first edition abebooks. Commander charles lightoller describes how the titanic sank duration. Lightoller was decorated for gallantry as a naval officer in the first world war and later, in retirement. The titanic left queenstown, ireland on april 11, 1912, and was expected to arrive in new york on april 17, 1912.
It catches me off guard, icy water carrying me off the deck into the sea. Charles herbert lightoller was born on 30th march 1874 in chorley, lancashire, to parents fred and sarah lightoller. Oct 06, 2016 lightoller was the only one of the nine men to survive the 1912 disaster which killed more than 1,500 people revelations written in letter of condolence to a colleague of dr john simpson, the. Lightoller admits in his book that his involvement in the british inquiry was as part of a deliberate whitewash 21. Lightoller 18741952 was the the second mate on the hms titanic and the only senior officer to survive the disaster. Titanic surviving senior officer details crews bravery on.
The second officer who survived titanic and saved lives at. Charles lightoller james camerons titanic wiki fandom. Kenneth more does a good job of showing the courage the second officer charles lightoller had that night both before and after the sinking. Titanic sunk by steering mistake, author says reuters. He was the most senior member of the crew to survive the titanic disaster. This book offers a unique view of exactly what happened during the late night and early morning hours of april 14th and 15th, 1912 as told by the highest ranking officer to survice the actual sinking. Titanic survivor stories second class officer charles. Second officer charles lightoller was sure that murdoch was aware of these ice. Titanics sea trials led to changes among its officers when lightoller reported to titanic the ship was facing an improbably tight schedule. On the night of 14 april 1912, lightoller commanded the last bridge watch. His mother, sarah lightoller, died shortly after giving birth to him.
Lightoller was already in bed after having completed his last rounds on the night of april 14th when he felt a sudden vibrating jar run through the ship. Charles lightoller historical records and family trees. Charles lightoller s career at sea began in 1888 at the age of thirteen and was a harrowing one almost from the start. In 1912, the last man to be rescued from the titanic, englishman charles herbert lightoller boarded the ship two weeks prior to the maiden voyage to perform sea trials and had been second officer. Second officer charles lightoller later wrote i could hear the band playing cheery sort of music.
The hero of titanic who survived two sinking ships and two world wars the sinking of rms titanic is one of the most infamous events in maritime history. Because he was a member of the bridge crew, lightoller was the star witness at both the american and british titanic inquiries. Charles lightoller s next ship was majestic, and he served under captain edward smith, a partnership that would recur again before too long aboard titanic of course. Charles lightoller, the most senior member of the crew of rms titanic to survive the vessels sinking in 1912 had by then already lived a life of adventure which seems improbable. Kenneth more as charles lightoller, second officer of the rms titanic. Lightoller was on board the titanic as er second officer, a slit demotion for him, but he was just happy to.
Mr charles herbert lightoller was born in chorley, lancashire on 30 march 1874. Then 38 years old, lightoller had been a cowboy, a gold prospector in the yukon, a veteran seaman on ships both steam and sail driven, a shipwreck survivor, a cattle wrangler on a cattle boat, a hobo, and a respected navigator and. Charles lightoller, 2nd officer rms titanic 30 james street. In 1898, lured by the promise of riches, lightoller left the sea to become one of the thousands who moiled for gold in the klondike. On 14th april 1912, lightoller was relieved from his post on the bridge at 10 pm by chief officer murdoch. He began his career at sea young, taking on an apprenticeship at aboard the. Apr 15, 20 titanics 2nd officer lightoller in a night to remember kenneth more as second officer charles lightoller in a night to remember 1958. The truth about the sinking of the titanic telegraph. On the 21 may, 1912, at the british inquiry, lightoller also said.
Charles herbert lightoller was born in chorley, lancashire, england on 30 march 1874. In february 1888 at the age of, he began a four year seagoing apprenticeship making his first trip aboard the primrose hill a steel hulled, fourmasted barque of 2,500 tons. The life of titanic officer charles lightoller premier. The hero of titanic who survived two sinking ships and two. On the night of 14 april 1912, lightoller had returned to his cabin after handing over the bridge watch to first officer murdoch. Aug 12, 2019 weve already looked at the life of the incredible wallace henry hartley, who drowned on board the titanic but this is the tale of charles lightoller who not only survived the disaster but went on to serve in the royal navy during the great war and then later sailed to france to help british troops escape the beaches of dunkirk. His next posting was a promotion, as he was made third officer of the oceanic ii, which at the time was the ship to be on, as she was without doubt the pride of the white star line. On the night of 14 april 1912, lightoller commanded the last bridge watch prior to the ships collision with the iceberg, after which murdoch relieved him. Widely believed to be unsinkable, it was the largest ship afloat in the world when it was launched in 1912. Second officer charles herbert lightoller of the titanic. The sinking of the titanic 1912 state library of nsw. United states senate inquiry day 1 testimony of charles h. On 14 april, 1912, second officer lightoller came on duty at 6.
Titanic and other ships by lightoller and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Charles herbert lightoller was born on march 30, 1874, to frederick james lightoller and sarah jane widdows lightoller in chorley, lancashire. Charles lightoller is the author of titanic and other ships 3. Also colonel archibal gracie in his book the truth about titanic mentions that. Other witnesses described a mixture of popular styles ragtime, jazz and waltzes that included the biggest hit of 1911, irving berlins alexanders ragtime band. His father, fred lightoller, abandoned young charles and left for new zealand. Charles lightoller, second officer of rms titanic was also.
Titanic and other ships by charles herbert lightoller. This book eventually became quite popular and began to sell well. Lightoller was in charge of loading women and children into lifeboats after the titanic rammed an iceberg on the night of april 15, 1912, and sank within hours, killing more than 1,500 of the. Lightoller was the only one of the nine men to survive the 1912 disaster which killed more than 1,500 people revelations written in letter of condolence to a colleague of dr john simpson, the. If titanic had stood still,she would have survived at least until the rescue ship came and no one need have died, patten said. The author provides the story from the perspective of charles herbert lightoller in fresh detail. Titanic and other ships by lightoller, first edition.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Charles lightoller, awarded the dsc with bar in the first world war, and a hero. Titanics 2nd officer lightoller in a night to remember kenneth more as second officer charles lightoller in a night to remember 1958. I dont like jazz music as a rule, but i was glad to hear it that night.
His first account of the titanic disaster was published in 1912 in the christian science journal. His mother died of scarlet fever after he was born, followed by two of his siblings, richard ashton and caroline mary. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. There, lightoller heard not only about the fatal mistake, but also what happened next, up on the bridge. An hour before the collision, lightoller ordered the ships lookouts to continually watch for small ice and particularly growlers until daylight.
Lightoller was decorated for gallantry as a naval officer in the first world war and later, in retirement, further distinguished himself in the second world war by providing and sailing as a. Apr 25, 2012 all of the scenes from the movie titanic of second officer charles lightoller,he was the highest ranking officer to survive that fateful night 100 years ago here all his parts in the movie. He survived the sinking of the ship by climbing aboard the overturned collapsible lifeboat b, and wrote a popular book about the disaster, which is still in print today. Lightoller is an unhelpful witness at the us inquiry which he called a farce and is particularly illusive when it came to lifeboat numbers and ice reports 20. The others, husbands, fathers, third class passengers froze to death in the icy water, but they were the lucky ones. Caplan at book signing in titanic museum in branson, missouri. Letter written by charles lightoller up for auction. Twelve years later, lightoller became the illfated liners second officer. Shortly after midnight, another officer informed him weve hit an iceberg and upon hearing that the water had already reached the mail room, lightoller dressed and. He was the last man to be taken aboard the rescue ship hms carpathia his first account of the titanic disaster was published in 1912 in the christian science journal. Amazing life of titanic survivorcharles lightoller1912.
Charles lightoller encyclopedia titanica message board. He was the youngest of five children, and the second son. Charles herbert lightoller was born in chorley, lancashire, on 30 march 1874, into a family that had operated cottonspinning mills in lancashire since the late 18th century. One fascinating account of the sinking of the titanic lives on as the very words of second officer charles lightoller were recorded in this 1936 radio interview. Apr 15, 20 kenneth more as second officer charles lightoller in a night to remember.
In 1912, the white star lines supposedly unsinkable ocean liner the rms titanic set sail from southampton with charles lightoller on board as the second officer. Charles herbert lightoller born 30 march 1874 died 8 december 1952 was born in chorley, lancashire, on 30 march 1874. Lord mersey of the british inquiry doubted lightollers testimony and stated it was not at all satisfactory. The night order book had had a footnote about keeping a sharp lookout for ice. The book was initially quite popular but was pulled from the shelves due to a threatened lawsuit by the marconi company concerning a comment lightoller wrote about the titanic and the marconi operators.
Colonel archibald gracie iv january 17, 1859 december 4, 1912 was an american writer, amateur historian, real estate investor, and passenger of the rms titanic. Letter written by charles lightoller up for auction on the night of april 14th, 1912, a man by the name of charles herbert lightoller was standing on the bridge of the rms titanic. Lightoller served as first officer during titanic s sea trials, but captain edward j. London reuters the titanic hit an iceberg in 1912 because of a basic steering error, and only sank as fast as it did because an official persuaded the captain to continue sailing, an author said in an interview published on wednesday louise patten, a writer and granddaughter of titanic second officer charles lightoller, said the truth about what happened nearly 100 years ago had been. This was the day he made the trip with sundowner and brought men back safely 125 military personnel, two crewmen from another boat, and his own crew of three. Following his final rounds lightoller retired to his cabin. Waves surge over the deck, causing the boat to come free of its moorings.
On april 14, 1912, second officer lightoller began his fourhour shift at 6. Charles lightoller wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikim. He began his career at sea young, taking on an apprenticeship at aboard the primrose hill. A novelist whose grandfather sailed on the titanic claims the book reveals the truth behind the sinking of the ship. Writing in his book titanic and other ships, lightoller said of the event, my. Charles lightoller wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre. In 1912, the titanic hit an iceberg and over the course of a few hours, plunged to the bottom of the sea, leaving a fraction of the passengers and crew to bob about the frigid sea in small lifeboats. Shortly after midnight, another officer informed him weve hit an iceberg and upon. It is an extraordinary claim that, after all the inquiries, films, books and. Sundowner is a motor yacht formerly owned by charles lightoller, the second officer of rms titanic and the most senior officer to survive her sinking in 1912 she participated in the dunkirk evacuation as one of the little ships as well as a number of commemorations of the event, and is now a museum ship at the ramsgate maritime museum in southern england. Dec 31, 2011 1912 charles lightoller recollection of the sinking of the titanic in 1912 duration. He was portrayed by jonathan phillips in the film, directed by james cameron, titanic.