Episode Summary: Titanic: Ship of Dreams – Episode 11: The Titanic Inquiry

In Episode 11 of Titanic: Ship of Dreams, titled "The Titanic Inquiry," host Paul McGann delves deep into the official investigations that followed the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. This episode meticulously examines both the American and British inquiries, shedding light on the complexities, biases, and enduring controversies that surrounded the disaster nearly a century ago.

1. The American Senate Inquiry

Setting the Scene

Just four days after the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, a formal investigation was underway in a grand conference room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York ([00:00]). The U.S. Senate appointed Senator William Alden Smith of Michigan to lead the inquiry, granting him subpoena powers to compel testimonies from key figures, starting with Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line.

Bruce Ismay's Testimony

Ismay approached his testimony with apparent reluctance and defensiveness. When questioned about the ship's collision with the iceberg, he responded minimally:

Bruce Ismay: "The accident took place on Sunday night, I was in bed, myself, asleep. The ship sank, I'm told at 2:20. That sir, I think, is all I can tell you." ([04:20])

Expert Insights

Professor Klaus Wetterholm emphasizes the Senate's intent to find a "smoking gun"—a singular cause or culpable party behind the tragedy ([03:37]). Professor Stephanie Barchevsky adds that there was a societal inclination to pinpoint scapegoats, making Ismay an easy target due to his surviving status and high position ([04:32]).

Media Influence and Public Opinion

The American press, particularly influenced by media mogul William Randolph Hearst, played a pivotal role in shaping public perception. Hearst's yellow journalism tactics led to sensationalist portrayals of Ismay as a coward, despite official inquiries later vindicating him:

Sir Rufus Isaacs (Attorney General): "Did you hear your wife say that?" ([32:47])

Mental Health Considerations

Ismay's evasiveness was partly attributed to his mental state post-disaster. Experts suggest he suffered from what we now recognize as PTSD, compounded by his shyness and sudden thrust into public scrutiny ([09:52]).

2. The British Board of Trade Inquiry

Parallel Investigation

A week after the American Senate concluded its inquiry, Britain launched its own investigation, led by Lord Mersey. Unlike the American inquiry, the British investigation spanned 36 days and interviewed nearly 100 witnesses, including those not heard by their American counterparts ([29:03]).

Key Testimonies

Sir Cosmo Doff Gordon and Lady Duff Gordon

The episode highlights the controversial testimonies of Sir Cosmo Doff Gordon and his wife, Lady Duff Gordon. Sir Cosmo's account of distributing "fivers" (five-pound notes) to crew members clashed with other witnesses' stories, raising questions about the motives and sincerity behind his actions:

Sir Cosmo Doff Gordon: "I did. There were many things to think about. No thought entered your mind at that time that you ought to go back and try to save some of these people?" ([32:21])

Lady Duff Gordon's Defiance

Lady Duff Gordon staunchly denied attributing cries and panic to the water, challenging newspaper reports that painted her and her husband in a negative light. Her refusal to align with erroneous media portrayals underscored the tension between personal testimonies and public narratives:

Lady Duff Gordon: "No, I never said that." ([36:59])

Captain Charles Lightoller's Testimony

Captain Lightoller, Titanic’s second officer, presented a conflicting account by denying the ship split in half and downplaying the chaos onboard. His reluctance to discuss the harrowing moments in Collapsible B highlighted the strained nature of the inquiry:

Captain Lightoller: "I could not say, sir." ([19:26])

3. Aftermath and Legacy

Judicial Conclusions

Both inquiries ultimately absolved the White Star Line and its personnel of direct blame. Senator Smith criticized the crew of the Californian for failing to respond to Titanic's distress signals, while Lord Mersey defended figures like Bruce Ismay and Sir Cosmo Doff Gordon, attributing their survival to circumstance rather than moral failing.

Public Perception vs. Official Verdicts

Despite official exonerations, public opinion remained unforgiving, heavily influenced by media portrayals and societal expectations of heroism and cowardice. Figures like Bruce Ismay endured lasting reputational damage, illustrating the power of media in shaping historical narratives.

Expert Reflections

• Professor Stephanie Barchevsky: "It's very, very complex. So you can't just say it's his fault or it's her fault..." ([46:01])

• Professor Klaus Wetterholm: "It's a cumulative pile of things." ([47:38])

Experts underscore the multifaceted nature of the disaster, emphasizing that attributing blame to a single individual overlooks the intricate web of decisions and circumstances that led to the tragedy.

4. Unanswered Questions and Continuing Debates

The episode concludes by grappling with the enduring mystery of accountability in the Titanic disaster. Despite extensive inquiries and decades of research, the question of "Who was to blame?" remains largely unresolved, perpetuated by conflicting testimonies and the limitations of human memory under extreme stress.

Professor Klaus Wetterholm: "The bigger the disaster, then the more there's going to be a search for what was to blame." ([47:38])

Notable Quotes

• Professor Klaus Wetterholm: "We want to find the One thing that happened that makes it make sense, that makes someone culpable for the tragedy." ([03:37])

• Julian Fellowes: "Society or ours or any other are alone in canceling people who fall below some kind of general moral position." ([45:30])

• Professor Stephanie Barchevsky: "We have about 100 men saying this. They couldn't. They were socially stigmatized." ([27:24])

Conclusion

Episode 11 of Titanic: Ship of Dreams offers a comprehensive examination of the intricate and often contentious investigations that followed the Titanic's sinking. Through expert analyses and detailed recounting of testimonies, Paul McGann invites listeners to ponder the complexities of human behavior, media influence, and the elusive nature of historical truth.

Next Episode Preview: Paul McGann teases the upcoming episode, which will explore the recovery efforts of Titanic's dead and the subsequent lives of its crew, including his own great uncle Jimmy McGann.

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