Timeline Article: The Last Crew Member to Know


Monday, April 15, 1912
12:42am

Titanic was so big that it took awhile to inform all of the crew members of the collision. Quartermaster George Rowe was on duty at the stern when Titanic hit the iceberg. He saw the iceberg, but thought it to be the sail of a passing schooner. Then he sees Lifeboat 7 rowing away from the starboard side of the ship. He telephones the bridge and speaks to 4th Officer Boxhall. Rowe asks Boxhall why there is a lifeboat in the water? Boxhall, confused at first, realizes that he's talking to the last crew member to know of the collision. He orders Rowe to get the signal rockets and come forward.