Good afternoon everyone welcome back to Titanic Talks. This post was a bit last minute as it’s been a hectic few weeks here at Titanic Talks. So, I thought I’d let you know where I’ve been. Firstly, the reason I haven’t posted in a week is because I’ve had the flu and didn’t really have the patience to edit and upload something with some substance. Secondly and most importantly Titanic Talks recently gave a talk at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool. I was incredibly impressed with the turn out and glad a few friends of mine were also able to make it. The questions asked were fabulous. A massive thank you to Jo Connor and all at the Maritime Museum.
Now, with all the excitement out of the way we can hopefully get back to uploading regularly again. This piece is one from the vaults. The story of Titanic's fifth officer.
Lowe’s career in the maritime industry began when he was just 14. He had served time with the West African Coast and then five years later he joined the White Star Line just fifteen months before joining Titanic. Lowe had been on Titanic the day of her sea trials acting as fifth officer in command. The 2nd of April 1912 would come back to haunt Lowe as in the inquiry Lowe had been asked about the lifeboats and according to Encyclopaedia Titanica his response was “ I could tell you no more than a fly.” This could be debated as the day of Titanic’s sea trial Lowe and a few other junior officers had inspected the lifeboats and tested them. Lowe also recalls there had been a practice drill in Southampton.
On the afternoon of April 14th 1912 Lowe had actually assisted in helping chart Titanic’s course for the next few days. Lowe was asleep in his cabin at the time of the collision but when he awoke he recalls hearing voices outside the cabin and immediately ran up to the deck. When Lowe had noticed Titanic was dipping quite noticeably by the bow, he grabbed a revolver. Lowe had helped first officer William Murdoch load lifeboat number 5. The White Star manager and owner of Titanic had been hovering over Lowe practically all night, possibly in hope to get a seat on a lifeboat. Lowe had instructed Ismay to get out of his way as if he lowered the boat to quickly Lowe recalled that he “would drown the lot of them.” If he did so. After this Lowe transferred to helping with lifeboat number 3.
An Italian in drag
After Titanic had sank Lowe was put in charge of lifeboat 14. He estimated that he’d put roughly 40 women in. However, just as he’d finished loading the boat Lowe discovered that one of the ladies was a male Italian passenger in dressed as a woman. By this point there was nothing Lowe could do about it because they were stranded in the middle of the ocean. So he transferred the passenger over to another lifeboat close by.
We’ve got to go back
Lowe had been one of the main instigators for going back to the wreck site to see if they could pick anymore survivors up. Once they had returned, they saw what appeared to be a floating door with a Japanese man lying on it. Lowe managed to help the man from the door onto the boat. Later on the Japanese survivor had helped row the boat. The story of the survivor actually went on to be featured in the 1997 film ‘Titanic’ however, the scene did not make the final cut. But it is featured on the deleted scenes of the DVD.
Lowe’s testimony
In the inquiry Lowe was asked about any armed weapons that were on the Titanic. It’s not a titanic myth that there had been firearms on the Titanic. But, what people were first confused about was if anybody had actually needed to use them. In the inquires held by both the U.S Senate and the British Board of Trade it was discovered that the fire arms had been used. Once by Chief Officer Henry Wilde, who had fired his pistol three times in order to keep everyone calm. Other officers however did carry pistols with them but didn’t necessarily shoot them. Lowe in his testimony said that he heard shots and did in fact use his. He shot his revolver once to warn other people to stay away from the lifeboat to prevent swamping.
Lowe later served in the First World War with the Merchant Navy and after retired to live with his wife.
As always, I’ll leave a few external links on Harold Lowe. I’ll also include his testimony which has been done by the Titanic Inquiry Project. The website is linked below. On the website you’ll also be able to find testimonies of other who spoke at the American and British inquiry. It’s a handy website for research.
Have a titanic day,
Millie.
Encyclopaedia Titanica: https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/harold-godfrey-lowe.html
Titanic inquiry project: https://www.titanicinquiry.org/USInq/AmInq05Lowe01.php
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