A Night to Remember

Captain Arthur Rostron of the Carpathia had been at sea for 27 years, but on the night of April 14, he was only in his second year of captaincy. Upon receiving the Titanic’s CQD (distress call), he immediately leaped into action. He charted a course redirected the ship, ordering all other nonessential electrical features deprioritized so that the Carpathia could concentrate her efforts on making as much speed as possible. He tasked the entire crew to prepare for a rescue operation: prepare the lifeboats, gather provisions and supplies, arrange the physical space to make room for makeshift hospital services, and attempt to make room for as many as 3,000 people. The Carpathia reached 17 knots, a remarkable speed for her size and capabilities. At 1:15am, the Carpathia’s Chief Steward Hughes addressed his colleagues: “Every man to his post and let him do his full duty like an Englishman. If the situation calls for it, let us add another glorious page to British history” (125).

At one o’ clock in the morning, the Carpathia’s passengers noticed the smell of coffee, the voices of crew members, and the absence of heat in the cabins—and the sensation that they were traveling faster than they had on any part of their voyage until now piqued their curiosity.