Timeline Article: Survivor Lists Become More Accurate / Southampton Is Hit Hardest By The News of Titanic

Friday, April 19, 1912

Morning

The lists of names of Titanic's survivors become more accurate after Carpathia's arrival in New York. Crowds of people gather outside the White Star offices in both America and the United Kingdom. They watch with hope and fear for familiar names.

Southampton is hardest hit by the news that only about 200 of Titanic's 900 crew members were saved. The majority of Titanic's crew were recruited directly from Southampton not long before Titanic departed. 

The London Daily Mail reports:
"In the humble homes of Southampton, there is scarcely a family that has not lost a relative or friend."

Timeline Article: Olympic Officially Informs New York About Titanic

RMS Olympic

Monday, April 15, 1912

6:15pm New York Time

Throughout the day, the people of New York City have heard nothing but rumors. 

With no real news on what has happened, all the conflicting and confusing stories begin to seem true. 

Finally, at 6:15pm Olympic sends New York a simple message, 

"Titanic has gone down". 

White Star Line's Phillip Franklin announces it to the American public. The news crosses the Atlantic by cable. The first numbers appear listing that only 675 passengers and crew were rescued. For a ship that had a crew of 900, this could mean the worst for Southampton, England where nearly all of Titanic's crew were employed. 

New rumors start to circulate when London's Daily Sketch makes an unsupported claim that the Carpathia with Titanic's survivors on board had also begun to sink. Lists showing the names of Titanic's survivors are posted. Some of the names posted are misspelled, then corrected, or even omitted as vague new reports come in.

There will be no relief to the confusion until Carpathia arrives.

People gather outside The Sun Building in New York
awaiting news about Titanic.

Timeline Article: Cottom And Bride Send Messages from Carpathia

Harold Cottom

Carpathia's wireless operator Harold Cottom has been on duty all night. He is completely exhausted and overwhelmed. He has a huge number of official messages that must be sent out informing the world of Titanic's sinking as well as messages going out from survivors. On top of that, Captain Rostron wants a complete list of survivors to be sent out as quickly as possible.

Harold Bride

Titanic's wireless operator Harold Bride decides to assist Cottom with the outgoing messages. Despite his exhaustion and frostbitten feet, he relieves Cottom at the wireless whenever necessary.

During voyage to New York, Carpathia's signal will be broadcasting constantly. Cottom and Bride will ignore all incoming messages from news reporters and including President Taft. The two men have both committed themselves to serving Titanic's survivors.

Timeline Article: Bruce Ismay - A Man Completely Wrecked

J. Bruce Ismay

Monday, April 15, 1912

Mid-Day

On board the Carpathia, White Star's president 

J. Bruce Ismay, hands over a message for the New York office to Captain Rostron which reads:

"Deeply regret advise you. Titanic sank this morning after collision iceberg. Resulting in serious loss of life. Full particulars later."

-Bruce Ismay

Ismay sits alone in the doctor's room. Shocked, defeated, and overwhelmed by guilt. At the doctor's request, fellow survivor 17-year-old Jack Thayer, tries to offer some comfort to Ismay.

Jack Thayer

"He was staring straight ahead. Shaking all over like a leaf. Even when I spoke to him, he paid absolutely no attention. I have never seen a man so completely wrecked."

-First Class Passenger

 Jack Thayer

Timeline Article: News About Titanic Reaches New York City

Monday, April 15th, 1912
New York City

White Star Line's President Phillip Franklin, at the New York office, receives an early morning call from a reporter with the alleged news that Titanic has called for help and is sinking. 

The story has already gone to press, and rumors have engulfed New York City.

Wireless operator David Sarnoff, while working on the roof of Wanamaker's Department Store, has been relaying messages from ships at sea.

The breaking news about Titanic is coming in faster than the papers can print it. Most newspaper headlines claim that Titanic is damaged, and all passengers are safe. However, out of all of the messages being sent from the ships at sea, not one has been from Titanic directly in a considerable amount of time. The silence is recognized by managing editor Carr Van Anda of the New York Times, assumes the worst, and prints it. Despite White Star's assurances throughout the day that Titanic and her passengers are safe, in a matter of hours the New York Times will have been proven right. Titanic has actually sunk with a great loss of life. Panic begins to spread.

David Sarnoff (left) and Carr Van Anda (right)