At least 13 ships had heard the Titanic’s distress signals, but the first to arrive at the disaster site was the Carpathia. Its Captain, Arthur Rostron, observed a green flare on the horizon at 2:35 a.m. It was ten minutes later when the Carpathia had spotted her first iceberg. Soon it seemed the sea was covered with mountains of ice. However, Rostron had been a man on a mission and had threaded his ship through the icy maze. His eyes were set on green flares which had appeared from time to time. It was nearing 4:00 a.m. when Rostron checked the Titanic’s final radio position, but there was no sign of the Titanic and her familiar four funnels. All engines in the Carpathia were ordered stopped and Rostron waited for a crew member to fire the next green flare. When it lit the sky and the sea, Rostron saw the outline of a nearby lifeboat. It was number 2 lifeboat under the command of fourth officer Joseph Boxall. Ever so gently, he worked his lifeboat to the ship’s side and then began the work of transferring people from the lifeboat to the Carpathia. It was 4:10 when Elizabeth Allen slowly climbed up the swinging ladder and fell into the arms of the Carpathia’s purser. In the gray light of the dawn, other lifeboats were seen scattered over a four-mile area. They were almost indistinguishable from the scores of small icebergs.
From 16 lifeboats, the eyes of all survivors were directed to their only hope of rescue—the Carpathia. All in the lifeboats prayed they would soon be safely aboard the vessel which had come to their rescue. The Carpathia presented their only means of safety. So it is with men and women on the sea of life, who realize their need of salvation from sin and its penalty. The Carpathia was their only hope, as Jesus is the only hope of perishing mankind. In Acts chapter 4 and verse 12, the Bible says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” It is also clearly stated in 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2), “Behold now is the day of salvation.” Between the time the Titanic struck the iceberg and the rescue of all passengers from the 16 lifeboats, unusual events took place. Some argued about the handling of their boat. In others, there were disputes when it was suggested that their partially filled lifeboats should return to rescue life-jacketed passengers who were still afloat in the near freezing waters. In a nearby lifeboat, dissension arose when it was suggested the group pray. A vote was taken, and it was learned the group was comprised of Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. Finally, it was agreed that they would unite in reciting the Lord’s prayer. In Collapsible A, prayer was also discussed as their overloaded boat settled deeper into the water. All in her, it appeared, were nearing eternity. For them, life would soon be over and yet they were questioning whether or not they should pray to the God they might soon meet. They finally prayed, but would their prayers be too late? The Bible tells us in Luke of a man who prayed for the forgiveness of sins while yet he had time. It also tells us of a man who prayed too late. The story is told in Luke 162And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (Luke 16:2) of a man who died and in hell he opened his eyes, being in torment. It was then that he prayed, but he prayed too late. May I encourage you to pray the prayer of another, this time in Luke 18:1313And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13) who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” It was a simple, sincere prayer which was answered by the Savior of sinners. The Savior still answers that prayer and is prepared to do so this moment if it comes from your repentant heart. Jesus came to die for sinners, including you and me. Ask Him, as you read these lines, to forgive your sins and accept you as one for whom He died. He said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Rostron and his crew were busily engaged in preparing to receive more than 705 survivors of history’s greatest marine disaster. He had ordered the ship’s three doctors to each be in charge of a dining room which had been converted into three make-shift hospitals. The Chief Steward was directed to have large amounts of soup, hot drinks and blankets ready for the rescued and for the Carpathia’s crew, who would, no doubt, need such comforts.
Although the Carpathia had arrived at the disaster location, it would take some time before each of the lifeboats would arrive at her side to discharge their precious human cargoes. Boat No. 6 had room for at least 10 more passengers, but those it carried included some very interesting personalities. Quartermaster Robert Hichens had been placed in command by a senior officer of the Titanic as it was lowered to the sea. He was now responsible for a diverse group of 4 men and 20 women. They presented an interesting study in human relations as they braved the sea and waited for rescue.
Hichens, although designated as in charge, soon proved by his pessimistic nature he was neither qualified nor deserving of the responsibility. He frequently made inappropriate remarks which did more to discourage than to encourage his colleagues. When his fellow passengers could stand no more, they forcefully informed him that if he did not keep quiet, he would be thrown overboard. It was at this point Mrs. J.J. Brown proved her leadership qualities and effectively took command. Years following the disaster, she would be given the name “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” It was a nickname the wife of the Colorado millionaire would have enjoyed in life, but it was given to her after her death in 1932.
With the arrival of the Carpathia and the dawn, rescue efforts which would last for four hours became intense. From the distant points, lifeboats would weave their way through chunks of floating ice. The Carpathia now stood motionless on the glassy sea and by its very presence was an invitation for all to come to the safety and hope she offered. To men and women adrift on the sea of life and in danger of being lost eternally, the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, stands to offer everlasting salvation. Listen as He says in Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28), “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” As in the case of the Carpathia, it was the responsibility of those desiring rescue to make their way to the rescue ship. Let me encourage you to make your way to the Savior as you read. Don’t be like some of whom the Savior said, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life” (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40)).
Wallace Bradford, of San Francisco, was sailing on the Carpathia when he was wakened by the imagined smell of smoke. The hour was 4:30 am, but he quickly dressed and ran on deck to learn the luxurious Titanic was now on the bottom of the Atlantic and the Carpathia was on its way to rescue the survivors. Taking his place at the ship’s railing, he peered into the darkness. Later he reported seeing two lifeboats nearing the Carpathia, but neither one was crowded. If only some of those who had refused to leave the Titanic had entered one of these, they would have now been safe. As other lifeboats came along side, Bradford noted they were predominantly filled with women, some of whom were at the oars.
As Captain Rostron viewed and directed the rescue operation, he was impressed with the efficiency of his crew and the way the survivors responded to their instructions and care. Some of the rescued showed the serious effects of the sinking and their hours of exposure to the cold, open sea. As the lifeboats arrived at the Carpathia’s side, individuals faced the perilous climb up rope ladders hanging at the ship’s side. Before they started their long ascent, a rope was tied under their arms. In at least one case the climber lost her footing and hung like a sack at the end of her safety rope. As some were about to begin their long climb to the Carpathia’s deck, they realized their hands or feet were so terribly swollen they failed to function. One even discovered his arm had been broken at some time during the disaster. For such, extra help was needed.
When Captain Rostron felt he and his crew had done all that was humanly possible and that there were no more survivors, he asked that two brief religious services be held—one a service of thanksgiving for the living and a memorial service for those who had been lost at sea. Following the services many of the rescued still lined the railings scanning the sea for signs of life, but there were none.
At 8:30 a.m., on the 15th of April 1912, the Captain sent the first reliable message to a waiting world regarding the great disaster. It read, “Titanic struck iceberg—sank Monday 3 a.m.—41.46 N 50.14 W—Carpathia picked up many survivors—am proceeding to New York. Captain Rostron.”
The rescue completed, Rostron’s attention was fully occupied with navigating his ship in and around the ice field and then through an approaching storm and its fog. New York was 800 miles away and there waited thousands of relatives and the story-hungry press. The story of the Titanic was to be written and there was much to follow.