Fatal Blunders


The first error was made by the designers. They designed a system of watertight compartments without coverings. The water could stay in the compartments if only four were flooded, but no more.

The second error was that the rudder was adequate (20, 250 lbs), but it wasn't really big enough for a ship the size of Titanic. That's probably why the ship did not turn in time.

The next error was made by First Wireless Operator Jack Phillips and his assistant, Harold Bride. They ignored many of the 6 iceberg warnings sent by other ships.

The last, and probably the most fatal error was First Officer Murdoch's. In truth, Murdoch should have only done a "Hard-a-starboard", since they were steaming virtually full speed ahead, the forward motion would have allowed a sharper and faster turn.

What if all these errors weren't made, would the ship have reached its destination still?

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