Titanic: Danger Ignored

The next three days were calm and peaceful as the passengers and crew explored the brand new White Star Liner; perhaps taking a dip in the warm salt-water pool or relaxing in the Turkish Bath on "F" (or Middle deck). Those who perhaps felt guilty over eating so much rich food might have took a turn in the ship's gymnasium or visited the barber for a trim or to buy souvenirs of the voyage such as paperweights or postcards. Third Class passengers were perhaps feeling as if they stepped into another world. The Third Class common rooms, though Spartan, were comfortable and the food was perhaps the best they have ever experienced. Sunday, 14 April 1912 was clear and bright. Capt. E.J. Smith, perhaps not wanting to disturb the passenger's Sabbath, cancelled the scheduled lifeboat drill. Not that it would have been much use, the Board of Trade regulations only required that a picked crew uncover a boat, swing it out and climb aboard to inspect the mast and other stores. At 11 a.m. Capt Smith led Sunday services in 1st class dining room concluding the service with the singing of "O God, our help in ages past."

While the passengers where enjoying their 3rd day at sea, in the Marconi wireless room, Harold Bride and Jack Phillips were working feverishly to catch up on a backlog of messages. The wireless set had broken down the previous day and was not repaired until very early Sunday morning. Then at 9 A.M. they received a message from the Cunarder "Caronia" reporting " bergs, growlers, and field ice at 42N, from 49 to 51 W,". This was "Titanic's" first ice warning. This first warning was taken to the Bridge and was posted in the chartroom for all the Officers to see. Then, at 11:40 A.M., a second warning reported ice in the same area by the Dutch ship "Noordam." Then, at 1:40 P.M., the wireless sparked an ominous message from the White Star Steamer "Baltic:"

"Captain Smith, "Titanic". Have moderate variable winds and clear weather since leaving. Greek steamer "Athenia" report passing icebergs and large quantity of field ice today in latitude 41.51 north, longitude 49.52 west..."

This message was also taken to the bridge and given to Capt. Smith, however, Smith DID NOT post the ice position on the chart, instead he showed the message to Bruce Ismay, who nonchalantly put it in his pocket! A few minutes after the "Baltic's" transmission, the German ship "Amerika" asked "Titanic" to pass on a message to the U.S. Hydrographic Office reporting two large bergs at 41.27 N, 50.8W. So far, the "Titanic" had received four ice warnings indicating that a huge ice field stretched across her projected course. Unfortunately, none of the ships Officers realized this since of the four messages, only the first one from the "Caronia" had been posted on the chart. To make matters worse, that afternoon the wireless set went out again and the harried Marconi men worked several hours to repair it. All the while, passenger messages continued to back up. Finally, around 7 P.M. the set was repaired, just in time to receive yet another warning, this one from the Leyland liner "Californian" reporting three large bergs to the southwest of her. The "Californian's" reported position meant that the ice was only about 50 miles ahead. Ice warning number 5.