A Night to Remember
1958
Dr O'Laughlin: People first, things second.
Captain Edward J. Smith: This ship is going to founder. Ismay: But she can't. In any case, we can't get everyone in the boats. Captain Edward J. Smith: I know that, sir. Please God it won't come to that.
Captain Edward J. Smith: (addressing the ship's officers and Ismay on the bridge) Gentlemen, we are in a precarious position. We must be prepared to abandon ship. (Officers look at each other in sheer surprise) Mister Murdoch, you will muster the passengers. Mister Lightoller, you will have the boats uncovered and swung out. Mister Boxhall, call all hands and get them to boat stations. Mister Moody, you will help Mister Lightoller. Mister Wilde and Mister Pitman will remain on the bridge. Everything will be done quietly and calmly. There must be no alarm and no panic. I will give the word when the boats are to loaded with the women and children. Carry on, please. (the officers disperse to carry out their orders) Ismay: Captain. Aren't you exagerrating the danger? Captain Edward J. Smith: I'm afraid not, sir. Ismay: But... Where's Andrews? Captain Edward J. Smith: I am acting on his advice. This ship is going to founder. Ismay: But, she *can't*. In any case, we can't get everyone in the boats. Captain Edward J. Smith: I know that, sir. Please God, it won't come to that.
Mrs Sylvia Lightoller: (as Lightoller is preparing to leave for the voyage) Do you think they'll promote you to First Officer after this trip, Bertie? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Well, that depends whether they keep old Wilde on, or not. Mrs Sylvia Lightoller: You were First on the "Majestic". Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Ah, but that was temporary. Mrs Sylvia Lightoller: Don't you mind? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No. Bill Murdoch's the one with his nose out of joint this trip. Ambitious fellow, is Bill. Mrs Sylvia Lightoller: So are you. You know you are. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Well, I'd rather be Second on the "Titanic" than First, or even Chief on any other ship.
Capt Arthur Rostron: (Captain Rostron is urging his Chief Engineer to give him all the speed possible as they race to the rescue) Cut your heating and hot water. Cut anything you like. But I've *got* to have every ounce of steam you can give me.
Mrs Margaret 'Molly' Brown: (looks around Lifeboat 6 as it's being lowered) Hey, we've only got one sailor with us. That's not enough to manage this boat. (Calls up to the Boat Deck as other women look around and confirm her observation) Mrs Margaret 'Molly' Brown: . Hold it there. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (to seamen at falls) Stop lowering. (Calls down to the boat) Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: What's the matter? Mrs Margaret 'Molly' Brown: Hey son. We only got one sailor in this boat. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (Looks around Boat Deck for any available seamen) Are there any spare hands here? Maj. Arthur Peuchen: (Looks around, notices there are no seamen around, and steps forward) I'll go, if you like. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Are you a sailor? Maj. Arthur Peuchen: I'm a yachtsman. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (Indicates lowering ropes for the boat) If you're seaman enough to slip down that lifeline, you can go. (Yells down to boat) Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Below. Hitchens: Sir. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Let's have that line. (the lifeline is swung towards the side of the ship. Lightoller grabs it after a couple of tries and holds it for Peuchen) Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Right. Good luck. (Peuchen grabs the line and swings out over the edge. Lightoller watches as he lowers himself down the rope and safely into the boat. Once he's in safely, Lightoller addresses the seamen at the falls) Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Lower away together.
Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (after seeing Joughin step out of a boat to give a lady his place) What's the matter? Aren't you in charge of this boat? Chief Baker Charles Joughin: Oh, I'm no seaman, sir. (Indicates another member of the kitchen staff who's now at the helm) Joe can manage just as well. Ladies first, eh sir? (Lightoller nods approvingly at Joughin's selflessness)
Steerage steward: (going through the steerage corridors, rousing the passengers) Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on, at once. Everybody up, get dressed, get your lifebelts on, at once.
Capt Arthur Rostron: (sees Cottam coming onto the bridge with a wireless update) Oh, what is it, Cottam? Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: From the "Titanic", sir. Her engine room's flooded and she's sinking by the head. Her wireless operator says he won't have the power to transmit for much longer. Her captain wants to know how long we'll be. Capt Arthur Rostron: (sadly looks at clock in the wheelhouse) Tell them, another two hours. (Cottam wordlessly goes to relay this bad news back to "Titanic")
Ismay: (trying to urge people to get in the boats) Women and children first. Mr Isador Straus: (sees Ismay past and tries to get his wife to follow Ismay's directions) Please, Rachel, get in the boat. Col Archibald Gracie: Yes, Mrs Straus, you must. Mrs Straus: I've always stayed with my husband, Colonel. So why should I leave him now? Mr Isador Straus: Please, be sensible. Mrs Straus: We have been living together for many years, Isador. Where you go, I go. Col Archibald Gracie: I'm sure nobody would object to an old gentleman like Mr Straus going in a boat. I'll ask the officer. Mr Isador Straus: No. I will not go before the other men. Mrs Straus: We stay.
Quartermaster George Thomas Rowe: (after firing off the last of the distress rockets in a desperate attempt to attract the attention of the "Californian") That's the last one, sir. Captain Edward J. Smith: No reply to your signals? Quartermaster George Thomas Rowe: No sir. I think the bastards must be asleep. Captain Edward J. Smith: Report to Mister Murdoch. He's shorthanded. Quartermaster George Thomas Rowe: Aye aye, sir.
Andrews: (as the ship starts sinking faster, Andrews sees Guggenheim and his valet dressed in their most formal clothing) Mister Guggenheim... Your lifebelt... Benjamin Guggenheim: It was uncomfortable. We have dressed now in our best, and are prepared to go down like gentlemen.
Capt Stanley Lord: (discussing ice reports) Hmmmm. Just south of Cape Race. Second Officer Herbert Stone: I've never known pack ice to come that far south before, sir. Capt Stanley Lord: It's been a mild winter on the Arctic. This ice must be drifting down on the Labrador Current. Well, our passengers aren't in any hurry. Wouldn't be with us if they were.
Captain Edward J. Smith: (enters the wireless cabin as the ship's end is nearing, to give Phillips and Bride a final order) It's time to go now, Phillips. You've done your duty. You can do no more. Abandon your cabin, it's everyone for himself. Look after yourselves now. I release you both. God bless you.
Captain Edward J. Smith: (through his megaphone to passengers and crew as the ship is beginning its final plunge) Abandon ship. Every man for himself.
Mrs Clarke: (after seeing Mrs Straus decide to remain on the ship with her husband) She's right, you see. We'll stay together too. Mr Clarke: But, she's old. You're young. Please darling; I can look after myself. Mrs Clarke: We both can.
Lady Richard: (observing the strict "Women and Children" first policy on the port side of the Boat Deck) It's absurd. On the other side the gentlemen are going in the boats with their ladies. Why on earth we're standing here, I don't know. Sir Richard: But... Well, there'll be room in the boats for everybody. Lady Richard: Of course there will.
Robbie Lucas: Oh, Mister Andrews? Andrews: Yes? Robbie Lucas: I'd like you to tell me something. I... I have a wife and three children on board. Just how serious is it? (sees Andrews hesitate) I'm not the panicking kind. Andrews: The ship has about an hour to live. A little more, if some of the upper bulkheads hold, but not much more. Get your wife and children into the boats. Robbie Lucas: Thank you. (Andrews walks off) Oh, Mister Andrews? (Andrews stops and turns around) I take it you and I might both be in the same boat later? Andrews: (smiles sadly) Yes... We may.
Mrs Liz Lucas: (Lucas returns to his stateroom after being told the situation by Andrews) Please, will you tell me what's going on Robert? People have been rushing about, and noises overhead... Robbie Lucas: It's very tiresome. We've struck an iceberg and damaged the ship. We may be a day late getting into New York. Mrs Liz Lucas: Oh, that *is* annoying. Robbie Lucas: And, to make matters worse, the captain is being very fussy and correct. All women and children have to go up on deck and get into the lifeboats. Mrs Liz Lucas: Oh no. Robbie Lucas: I'm afraid so, dear. Mrs Liz Lucas: But I don't want to wake the children. Is it really necessary? Robbie Lucas: (very sober tone) Yes. I believe we should do as the captain says.
Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall: (after the "Californian" still hasn't taken any apparent notice of the distress rockets being fired) What's the matter with him, is he blind?
Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall: (peering through his binoculars as he and Rowe are desperately trying to contact the "Californian" through rockets and the morse lamp) Maybe someone tried to signal, but I can't make any sense out of it. Quartermaster George Thomas Rowe: Could be a masthead light flickering, couldn't it sir? Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall: (frustrated and angry at the other ship's blindness) If I had a gun, I'd put a shell into him.
Mr Yates: (approaches a woman as she's about to get into a lifeboat) Madam? (She turns in surprise as he hands her an envelope) If I don't get through, will you send this to my sister? The address is on it.
Andrews: (Andrews sees the Clarke's sitting together on the couch in the Smoking Room) The crew are trying to clear two of the collapsable boats. If they succeed, I'm sure there'll be a place for you, madam, in one of them. Mr Clarke: You see? You can still go. Please darling. Mrs Clarke: No. We started out together, and we'll finish together. (to Andrews) Are you married, Mr Andrews? Andrews: Yes. And if my wife were here, I think she'd do as I ask. Mrs Clarke: But, you have a family? Andrews: Mm-hmm. Mrs Clarke: That would make a difference, wouldn't it? Andrews: Perhaps. Then let me give you both some advice. Don't stay on the ship until the end. Put your lifebelts on and lower yourself down into the water by the ropes hanging over the side. Don't jump if you can avoid it. When you're in the water swim away from the ship at once. The boats will stay well clear when she sinks. Mr Clarke: Thank you. We'll remember. Andrews: (Andrew turns to walk away. He turns back to them as he remembers something else) Oh, and, uh, I should wear something white, so they can see you. (He walks away) Mr Clarke: I wonder if he'll save himself? Mrs Clarke: We'll save ourselves.
Apprentice James Gibson: Looked like a rocket sir. Second Officer Herbert Stone: Yes. I wonder what a ship like that would want to fire rockets for?
Mr Hoyle: (seeing the list the ship has taken on, when he observes the contents of his drinking glass are at an angle) I don't know if you gentlemen have noticed it, but, uh, this ship has got quite a list on it now. That's not right.
Officer: Sorry, only one more lady. Edith Evans: You go first,you have children waiting at home. Caroline Brown: NO. I... Officer: Quickly ladies we haven't got much time. (Mrs Brown Steps In) Col Archibald Gracie: Still here Miss Evans? We'll get you off in the next boat. Edith Evans: Thank you. (There Were None Left)
Andrews: They're clearing away two of the collapsible boats, if they succeed, I'm sure they'll be a place for you in one of them. Man: See, you can still go. Please darling. Wife: No. We've started out together and we'll finish together. Are you married Mr Andrews? Andrews: Yes, and if my wife were here I'd think she would go. Wife: Do you have a family? Andrews: Yes. Wife: Then it would make a differance then wouldn't it? Andrews: Perhaps. Let my give you some advice, put your lifebelts on and lower yourself down using the ropes hanging over the side. Don't jump if you can avoid it. When you're in the water swim away from the ship at once, and be well clear of her when she sinks. Man: Thank you, we'll remember. Man: I wonder if he will save himself? Wife: We'll save ourselves.
Hitchens: We got no water, no compass, no charts. Margaret Brown: AH, shut up.
Andrews: She's going to sink, Captain. Captain Edward J. Smith: But she can't sink. She's unsinkable. Andrews: She can't float.
Andrews: (Andrews is looking at the ship's blueprints as he describes the damage to the Captain) Here's the position: water in the forepeak; numbers 1 and 2 holds; the mailroom; and boiler rooms 6 and 5. That means a gash three hundred feet long, from there to there (indicates gash with a pencil on the blueprint) , below the waterline. Do you agree? Captain Edward J. Smith: Yes. Well? Andrews: The pumps are keeping the water down in this boiler room, but the first five compartments are flooding. Captain Edward J. Smith: Well, what's the answer? Andrews: She's going to sink, Captain. Captain Edward J. Smith: But... She can't sink. She's unsinkable. Andrews: She can't float. Look... She could float with any three of her first five compartments flooded. She could even float with four of them gone. But she can't float with all five full up. Captain Edward J. Smith: Yes, but... Andrews: (cuts him off) These watertight bulkheads here only go as high as E Deck. The weight of water in the bow is going to pull her down by the head. So, you're going to get the fifth compartment overflowing into the sixth; the sixth into the seventh; and so on, as she goes lower. It's a mathematical certainty. With that amount of underwater damage she can't stay afloat. Captain Edward J. Smith: How long will she last? Andrews: (starts doing figures on a scratch pad) Just trying to work that out, now. As far as I can see, she made fourteen feet of water in the first ten minutes after the collision. That's not very fast. She should live... another... hour and a half. Yes. About that, I should think. Captain Edward J. Smith: There must be no panic. Andrews: No. Captain Edward J. Smith: You'll be careful of what you say to the passengers. Andrews: Of course... How many people are there on board? Captain Edward J. Smith: 2200, or more. And room in the boats for... ? How many? Andrews: 1200 Captain Edward J. Smith: I don't think the Board of Trade regulations visualized this situation. Do you?
Captain Edward J. Smith: (hurrying to the bridge immediately after the collision) What is it? First Officer William Murdoch: Iceberg sir. I put her hard-a-starboard and reversed the engines, but she was too close.
Engineer: She's making water fast sir. The mail hold's practically full already. Captain Edward J. Smith: Aren't the pumps working? First Officer William Murdoch: Yes sir. Captain Edward J. Smith: (indicates engineer can return to his job) Thank you. First Officer William Murdoch: The engine room says they'll need more. They're rigging them now. Ismay: This is most unfortunate, Captain. Captain Edward J. Smith: Yes sir. Ismay: Do you think the ship is seriously damaged? Captain Edward J. Smith: I'm afraid she is. (sees Andrews arrive on the bridge) Excuse me. Ismay: (to Boxhall) How long is this likely to delay us? Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall: Not long, I expect, sir. Captain Edward J. Smith: (to Andrews, quietly) We've struck a berg. I think she's badly damaged. I would like to know *how* badly. Andrews: Right. I'll go down and have a look.
Lookout Frederick Fleet: (spots iceberg, rings warning bell and picks up bridge phone) Sixth Officer James Moody: (picks up receiver on bridge) What did you see? Lookout Frederick Fleet: Iceberg. Dead ahead, sir. Sixth Officer James Moody: (repeats to Murdoch) Iceberg, dead ahead sir. First Officer William Murdoch: (looks out bridge window, sees the berg and calls into the wheelhouse speaker) Hard-a-starboard. Hitchens: (repeats order as he turns wheel) Hard-a-starboard, sir. First Officer William Murdoch: (to Moody) Full-astern both. Sixth Officer James Moody: (Moody repeats as he pulls the engine-room telegraph handles to full-speed astern) Full-astern both, sir. First Officer William Murdoch: (looks out window again, then turns to other Seaman on the bridge) Close watertight doors. Seaman: (repeats order and moves to watertight door control switches) Close watertight doors, sir. Hitchens: (calls from wheelhouse) Hard-a-starboard it is, sir.
Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: (bursts into Captain Rostron's cabin) Sir. SIR. Capt Arthur Rostron: (waking up with a start) What the devil's going... ? (rolls over and sees Cottam) Haven't you learned to knock before coming in here? Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: It's a distress call, sir. From the Titanic. She's sinking. (gives Rostron the paper with the distress message) Officer: (comes into cabin to apologize for the intrusion) I'm sorry sir, I... Capt Arthur Rostron: (reads message and gives Cottam a long look) Mister Dean, turn the ship 'round. Head northwest. I'll work a course out for you in a minute. Officer: Aye, aye sir. (rushes away to carry out the orders) Capt Arthur Rostron: (gets out of bed) Now, Cottam, you're sure this is the Titanic? Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Yes sir. Capt Arthur Rostron: You're certain? Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Absolutely. Capt Arthur Rostron: Alright. Check back. Find out everything you can. Tell them we're coming as fast as possible. Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Yes sir. (rushes back to his wireless equipment as Rostron goes to get dressed)
Martin Gallagher: (on top of the upturned lifeboat) There's one back here dead, sir. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Are you certain? Mr Murphy: Yes sir. Martin Gallagher: We are, sir. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Right. Lower him over the side. (gives orders on trimming the boat as the body is lowered over) Lean left. Lean left. Gently. Gently. Man on upturned lifeboat: Alright for the baker to come aboard now sir? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes. Pull him in. (gives balancing orders again as Joughin is pulled on) Lean right. Lean right. Steady. Chief Baker Charles Joughin: (after being pulled on) Thank you, sir.
Col Archibald Gracie: (looks at rockets being fired by the Carpathia as he and Lightoller sit in the stern of a lifeboat) Will that be the Carpathia? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (silently nods in the affirmative) Col Archibald Gracie: Aren't you glad to see her? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes I'm glad. But then, I'm still alive. Col Archibald Gracie: If only she'd been nearer. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: There are quite a lot of "ifs" about it; aren't there, Colonel? (turns and shouts to another lifeboat they're towing) Keep up, quartermaster. Keep that line slack. (turns to address Colonel Gracie again) If we'd been steaming a few knots slower, or if we'd sighted that berg a few seconds earlier, we might not even have struck. If we'd been carrying enough lifeboats for the size of the ship instead of just enough to meet the regulations, things would have been different again, wouldn't they? Col Archibald Gracie: Maybe. But you have nothing to reproach yourself with. You've done all any man could and more. You're not... (stops himself) I was about to say, you're not God, Mister Lightoller. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No seaman ever thinks he is. I've been at sea since I was a boy. I've been in sail. I've even been shipwrecked before. I know what the sea can do. But, this is different. Col Archibald Gracie: Because we hit an iceberg? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No. Because we were so sure. Because even though it's happened, it's still unbelieveable. I don't think I'll ever feel sure again, about anything.
Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: (comes onto Carpathia's bridge) Sir? Capt Arthur Rostron: We're at the place now. I thought you'd like to see for yourself. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Oh yes. Thank you, sir. Capt Arthur Rostron: We've only found one body, I'm afraid. The rest must have been carried further on by the current. Of course, we'll go on searching for survivors until we turn back to New York. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes sir. How many... ? Capt Arthur Rostron: The purser's checked the figures now. We have on board 705 survivors. Several of those in the boats were dead, I'm afraid. Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: 1500 lost. Capt Arthur Rostron: That's right, yes.
Andrews: Why have we stopped? Sixth Officer James Moody: Bit of trouble, sir. With the Captain's compliments, will you please join him on the bridge? Andrews: Now? Sixth Officer James Moody: If you please, sir.
Dining saloon steward: (Right after the collision, the saloon stewards are discussing what might have happened) I tell you, she's thrown a propellor blade. I was in the old Majestic when the same thing happened... We'll be going back to Belfast, you'll see.
Capt Stanley Lord: (after stopping the Californian at the edge of an ice field) That's field ice, Mister Groves. I'm not trying to find my way around that until daylight.
Assistant Wireless Operator Harold Bride: (Bride is awakened by the din on deck following the collision) What's up? Wireless Operator John 'Jack' Phillips: Ahhhh. We're stopped and blowing off steam. Something's wrong, I don't know what. Run into a bit of ice, I think.
Wireless Operator Cyril Evans: Hear it? (hands Groves his headphones) That's the "Titanic". Third Officer Charles Groves: (listens then gives the headphones back to Evans) What's she saying? Third Officer Charles Groves: "Best wishes to Joe and Hattie. Wish you were here. See you Wednesday. Love Myra and Bill". Private stuff. Yes, there must be a lot of money on that ship. He's been at it the best part of the day.
Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Listen to this, Sylvia. (reads from magazine) The new White Star Liner "RMS Titanic", the largest vessel in the world. It is not only in size, but also in the luxury of her appointments that the "Titanic" takes first place among the big steamers of the world. By the provision of Vinolia Auto Toilert Soap for her First Class passengers the "Titanic" also leads as offering a higher standard of toilet luxury and comfort at sea. (laughs) Mrs Sylvia Lightoller: Let me see. (takes paper)
Mr Bull, man on train: (discussing the ship) You're joining her at Liverpool, I take it? Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No sir, Belfast. Then we sail down to Southampton. Mr Bull, man on train: Ahhh, how I envy you. The newspapers say she's a virtual floating city. Symbol of progress; of man's final victory over nature and the elements.
Engineer Officer Hesketh: (evacuating a flooding boiler rooms) Up the ladders, boys. Come on. Up top.