After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Episode: Titanic: The Final Hours (Part 2)
Release Date: November 4, 2024

Hosted by Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling, "After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal" delves into the shadowy and mysterious corners of history. In this two-part special on the Titanic, Part 2 continues to unravel the harrowing final hours of the ill-fated ocean liner, blending historical accounts with insightful analysis.

1. Collision and Immediate Response

The episode picks up on the night of April 14, 1912, as Titanic's crew grapples with the imminent disaster following the iceberg collision.

• Narrative of the Collision:
  At [11:40], the hosts describe the moment Titanic strikes the iceberg:
  "It was 11:40pm on the night of the 14th of April 1912 in Titanic's Crow's Nest. Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee look on in horror as the vast dark shape rushes through the ocean to meet them. Iceberg."

• Crew's Initial Reaction:
  First Officer William Murdoch swiftly orders maneuvers to avoid the collision:
  "The engines, he instructs, must be cut and put into reverse. Perhaps they can avoid the collision they all know is coming. But it's too late." ([02:26])

2. Captain’s Leadership and Ship's Design Flaws

The hosts discuss Captain Edward Smith's role and the technological paradoxes aboard the Titanic.

• Captain's Actions Post-Collision:
  Captain Smith, having retired to his quarters, is awakened by the impact. A poignant detail revealed is the plug still in his bathtub, suggesting he might have been taking a bath when disaster struck:
  "You can imagine this man, you know, he's done a long day shift... Maybe he's got in the bath. Maybe he's already ready for bed in his pajamas..." ([11:15])

• Design Flaws:
  Despite being a marvel of modern engineering with 16 watertight compartments, the Titanic's design was fatally compromised when the iceberg breached the fifth compartment:
  "The iceberg hits the ship at such an angle that the tear in the side of the hull is just simply too large and too much water goes in." ([09:30])

3. Passenger Realities and Initial Panic

Through survivor testimonies, the episode paints a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued aboard the sinking ship.

• Survivor Accounts:

  • Charlotte Collier's Experience:
    "Suddenly we heard hundreds of people running along the passageway in front of our door... We found a great many people there." ([18:46])
    Her account emphasizes disbelief and confusion as passengers became aware of the sinking.

  • Nellie Walcroft’s Memory:
    <em>Recorded at [21:01], Nellie recalls managing panic during the evacuation, highlighting the frantic attempts to secure seats in the lifeboats.</em>

4. Lifeboats and Social Hierarchies

A critical discussion on the insufficient number of lifeboats and the societal norms that influenced who got saved.

• Insufficient Lifeboats:
  The Titanic carried only 20 lifeboats, sufficient for about half the passengers, a decision rooted in aesthetics and the belief in the ship’s invincibility:
  "The lifeboats... are actually an inconvenience. They are ruining the view and the aesthetic of this very streamlined, beautifully designed luxury vessel." ([12:40])

• “Women and Children First” Protocol:
  The hosts explore how this policy, though noble in intent, often favored first and second-class passengers, exacerbating social inequalities:
  "Women and children getting into the lifeboats, if they're lucky... Most of the people who get on the lifeboats are first and second class female passengers..." ([27:29])

5. Heroic and Tragic Figures

Highlighting individual stories that have become emblematic of the disaster's human cost.

• Isidor and Ida Straus:
  The owners of Macy’s, who refused lifeboat spots to stay together, embodying loyalty and tragedy:
  "They actually refuse their spot on the lifeboat because they don't want to be parted." ([28:24])

• Benjamin Guggenheim’s Final Moments:
  A millionaire who chose to face death with dignity:
  "He declares that he and his valet... are prepared to go down like gentlemen." ([30:31])

• Wallace Hartley and the Band:
  The ship's band remains a symbol of courage, playing music to calm passengers as the ship sinks:
  "They played in the first class lounge, really almost until the very end." ([32:58])

6. The Sinking and Rescue Operations

Detailing the final plunge of the Titanic and the subsequent rescue efforts by the Carpathia.

• Final Plunge:
  As panic grips the passengers, the Titanic succumbs to the icy Atlantic waters:
  "In almost no time at all, Titanic went down, her bow plunging into the water and her stern... diving beneath the waves." ([35:11])

• RMS Carpathia’s Rescue Mission:
  Arriving at [37:30], the Carpathia rescues survivors, who are later met with a throng of eager Americans, eager to hear their stories:
  "Half frozen survivors shivered in lifeboats... News of the disaster had arrived before her on American shores." ([37:30])

7. Legacy and Continuing Fascination

The episode concludes by examining the lasting impact of the Titanic disaster on maritime laws and its enduring cultural legacy.

• Maritime Law Reforms:
  Immediate inquiries led to critical changes, including ensuring sufficient lifeboats for all passengers and establishing the International Ice Patrol:
  "It led to the change in maritime laws. After the Titanic, it was a requirement to have enough lifeboats for all the passengers on board." ([43:10])

• Cultural Mythologizing:
  The hosts discuss how personal stories and artifacts, like Wallace Hartley’s violin, have become iconic symbols:
  "His violin survived, though, and was found in an attic in recent years... It was sold by the auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire in 2013 for £900,000." ([44:50])

• Titaniacs Community:
  The fascination with the Titanic fosters a dedicated community of historians and enthusiasts, known as Titaniacs, who continually seek to unearth new stories and preserve the ship’s legacy:
  "We're now going to talk about this, is that a lot of the reports we have were written after the fact by survivors and a lot of them sold those accounts to newspapers." ([26:58])

8. Conclusion

Maddy and Anthony wrap up the episode by reflecting on the Titanic’s multifaceted legacy, emphasizing both the human stories and the broader historical implications.

• Final Reflections:
  Maddy remarks on the "history of emotions" captured by the survivor accounts, highlighting the profound personal impacts of the tragedy:
  "Listening to those voices or recounting those voices, I can feel the panic. I can feel it starting to mount and mount and mount." ([23:47])

• Call to Action:
  The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the rich tapestry of Titanic history and explore further through documentaries and community discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• "It was a short period of time in terms of how news travels. And it also feeds into the technology that's on board the Titanic..." — Ryan Reynolds ([37:30])

• "Most of the people who get on the lifeboats are first and second class female passengers who have male family members who can advocate for them..." — Ryan Reynolds ([27:29])

• "Shane would have not even given it a second thought. You would have rocked up on that ship with all this." — Maddy ([25:43])

Final Thoughts:

"After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal" masterfully blends historical facts with compelling personal narratives to present a deeply immersive account of Titanic’s final hours. Through survivor testimonies, expert analysis, and poignant storytelling, Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling shed light on the human and technical factors that culminated in one of history's most infamous maritime disasters. This episode not only honors the memory of those who perished but also underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic's legacy.