Timeline Article: Lifeboat 7 is the First to be Launched

Monday, April 15, 1912
12:40am

Lifeboat 7 is the first to be launched.
Lowered by: 1st Officer Murdoch, 5th Officer Lowe
Crew member in charge: Lookout George Hogg

Murdoch gives his commands to crew members who have never made a launch like this. The crew are unfamiliar with the new Welin Davits that hold Titanic's boats. As the lifeboat descends down the starboard side of Titanic, it begins to lower unevenly. Some of the passengers begin to panic in fear that lifeboat will tip over.

Murdoch stops, levels the boat, and begins to lower again. Titanic's black wall of steel with her brightly lit portholes slides by. Lifeboat 7 touches the water without even a ripple on the dark flat ocean. Lifeboat 7 is launched with 28 of it's 65 seats occupied.

The evacuation of Titanic has begun...