Titanic: Ship of Dreams - Episode 2: "Bad Luck Comes in Threes"

In the second episode of Titanic: Ship of Dreams, hosted by Paul McGann and produced by Noiser Network, titled "Bad Luck Comes in Threes," listeners are taken deeper into the intricate web of events leading up to the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. This episode meticulously explores the series of unfortunate incidents, engineering challenges, and personal dynamics that conspired to seal the ship's fate.

1. The Collision with HMS Hawke and Its Aftermath

The episode opens by recounting a significant early mishap involving Titanic’s sister ship, the RMS Olympic. On September 20, 1911, while navigating the busy Solent waters near Southampton, Olympic collided with the naval warship HMS Hawke. This incident not only delayed Olympic’s voyage but also had cascading effects on Titanic's maiden journey.

Professor Stephanie Bachevsky narrates:

"The collision with HMS Hawk leads to a costly legal battle for White Star. Although most press coverage at the time blames the Royal Navy for the accident, the official inquiry holds Captain Smith responsible" (00:22).

Captained by Edward Smith, Olympic's commander was renowned for his impeccable safety record. Despite this, the collision resulted in a 12-foot hole in Olympic's hull, crippling her starboard propeller shaft. The ensuing legal battle saw White Star defending Captain Smith's competence, emphasizing his "absolutely perfect safety record" (05:31).

Tim Moulton adds:

"They tried to make Titanic as safe as was practicably possible. They gave her a double bottom, for example..." (11:28).

The repercussions of this collision were felt deeply, causing delays and necessitating the transfer of passengers to the older vessel, Adriatic. Parts from Olympic, including vital components like the propeller shaft, were repurposed to expedite repairs, indirectly impacting Titanic's launch timeline.

2. Engineering Challenges and Safety Features

White Star Line's ambition to create an "unsinkable" ship led to the incorporation of advanced safety features in the Olympic class vessels. These included a double hull and transverse bulkheads designed to compartmentalize the ship. However, Jevon critiques:

"It's not actually so much the Titanic that comes to mind here. I think... the Titanic was a good example of... pushing a little bit against the limits of what maritime technology could do" (07:04).

Despite these enhancements, the design had inherent vulnerabilities. Professor Bachevsky points out that the Olympic class ships were "very hard to steer" due to their massive size—one and a half times heavier than rivals like Cunard's Mauretania and Lusitania.

Jevon further elaborates on the limitations:

"You can't design for sort of every eventuality... the Titanic was... pushing a little bit against the limits of maritime technology." (07:04).

This overconfidence in engineering prowess set the stage for unforeseen disasters, highlighting a crucial gap between technological ambition and practical safety.

3. Lifeboat Controversies and Safety Regulations

A pivotal topic discussed is the lifeboat capacity aboard Titanic. Despite having 20 lifeboats, which exceeded the British Board of Trade’s regulations at the time, it was only sufficient for about half the ship's capacity. Jevon explains:

"Titanic had 20 lifeboats. There were 16 full size and four collapsible... regulations unfortunately were based on the tonnage of the ship and had not been updated for many years." (17:24).

Professor Bachevsky notes that Titanic's designers intended the lifeboats to serve as transitory vessels between the ship and rescue ships, not for prolonged survival. The reluctance to increase lifeboat numbers was influenced by aesthetic concerns voiced by White Star chairman Bruce Ismay, who feared that additional lifeboats would "spoil the sleek look" of the ship (17:54).

Tim Moulton adds context:

"The Board of Trade didn't want unsafe ships that were gonna sink piled high with lifeboats... They wanted well subdivided and well built ships like Titanic to carry enough lifeboats to ferry passengers from a stricken vessel to a nearby rescue vessel." (17:01).

This regulatory framework, coupled with the designers' confidence, tragically underestimated the severity of potential disasters.

4. The Coal Bunker Fire and Its Implications

An often-overlooked factor contributing to Titanic’s vulnerability was the persistent fire in one of its coal bunkers. Professor Bachevsky reveals:

"One that, if it came to light, would almost certainly delay the maiden voyage... even before the fateful impact, Titanic is already taking on water." (20:25).

The fire, managed by ship’s trimmers including Professor Bachevsky’s great uncle, Jimmy McGann, was an ongoing issue. Tim Moulton explains the challenges in extinguishing coal fires:

"The only way to get rid of the coal fire is actually to rake out all the burning coal and throw it on the furnaces." (20:46).

Although the damage from the fire was minimal initially, it subtly compromised the ship’s integrity. The eventual discovery of this fire by the Board of Trade inspector could have delayed Titanic’s departure, potentially avoiding the catastrophic iceberg collision altogether.

5. Bruce Ismay and the White Star Line's Struggles

Central to the narrative is Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, whose leadership and decisions are scrutinized throughout the episode. Clifford Ismay, Bruce’s fifth cousin, provides a personal perspective:

"There was a lot of pressure on him at that time to perform... I sometimes wonder if Bruce perhaps felt that he wasn't quite the man to follow in his father's footsteps." (31:34).

Bruce Ismay's tenure was marked by internal company struggles and intense competition with rivals like Cunard. Tim Moulton highlights:

"The White Star line felt slightly hard done by that. Cunard secured government funding to build the Lusitania and the Mauretania." (27:14).

To counteract funding challenges, Ismay secured investment from J.P. Morgan, making Titanic an emblem of American financial power within a primarily British enterprise. However, this alliance brought its own set of tensions and expectations, as detailed by Clifford Ismay:

"He was thrust into a position that he didn't really want, but he felt that he had to take it." (32:21).

Ismay's personal life and leadership style are further explored, painting a complex picture of a man burdened by legacy and personal loss.

6. Departure from Southampton and Suction Incident

As Titanic embarks on her maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10, 1912, the episode details a near-disastrous suction incident. The massive size of the ship created strong water displacement, pulling nearby ships towards her.

Professor Bachevsky describes:

"She starts to suck other ships moored there towards her, just like the scientists at the National Physical Laboratory predicted." (37:36).

One such ship, ironically named New York, was pulled so forcefully that its tethering ropes snapped, sending its stern swinging perilously close to Titanic’s hull. The quick reflexes of Captain Smith averted disaster by applying thrust to the port propeller, pushing New York back and preventing a collision (38:18).

Tim Moulton emphasizes the narrow escape:

"Captain Smith performs really well. He knows what to do... it does delay the Titanic by like an hour and a half." (38:55).

This incident serves as a foreshadowing of the compounded mishaps that Titanic would face, encapsulating the theme that "bad luck comes in threes."

7. Character Insights: Bruce Ismay

A significant portion of the episode delves into Bruce Ismay's character, exploring his motivations, pressures, and the perceptions that would later tarnish his legacy.

Professor Bachevsky illustrates Ismay's opulent yet poignant boarding experience:

"Ismay will be representing White Star throughout the voyage... He won't be among them [the victims]. His decision to take up a place in a lifeboat rather than go down with the ship will dog him for the rest of his life, earning him a popular nickname, the Coward of the Titan." (26:23).

Clifford Ismay provides a critical view:

"He didn't want to do that. He didn't want to be president of this huge American organization... he felt that he had to take it." (32:43).

The personal sacrifices and the immense pressure to uphold his father’s legacy are highlighted, presenting Ismay as a multifaceted individual rather than a one-dimensional antagonist.

8. Concluding Reflections and Foreshadowing

As Titanic sets sail, the episode builds suspense by emphasizing the accumulation of small, seemingly insignificant events that collectively lead to disaster. Professor Bachevsky encapsulates this sentiment:

"It's just this complete, you know, kind of butterfly effect of, you know, 8 million tiny little things happen from the moment they laid the keel in Belfast to the time that it hit the iceberg." (13:17).

With Titanic successfully navigating initial challenges, including the suction incident, the narrative sets the stage for the impending tragedy, promising listeners further exploration of the ship's journey and the intertwining lives aboard in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Moulton (05:31): "White Star backed Smith 100%. They knew how safe he was. They knew how good he was. He had an absolutely perfect safety record."

• Professor Stephanie Bachevsky (11:28): "They tried to make Titanic as safe as was practicably possible. They gave her a double bottom, for example."

• Jevon (17:24): "Titanic had 20 lifeboats... regulations unfortunately were based on the tonnage of the ship and had not been updated for many years."

• Clifford Ismay (32:21): "He was thrust into a position that he didn't really want, but he felt that he had to take it."

Conclusion

Episode 2 of Titanic: Ship of Dreams intricately weaves the strands of engineering ambition, regulatory shortcomings, personal ambitions, and unforeseen calamities that collectively set the stage for one of history's most infamous maritime disasters. Through detailed storytelling and expert insights, the podcast paints a comprehensive portrait of the Titanic's ill-fated journey, highlighting that sometimes, even the most meticulously planned endeavors are vulnerable to the capriciousness of fate.