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The Ismay Family

The White Star Line

Titanic's maiden voyage 3

What of Bruce Ismay:

April 14 1912 Earlier that evening J Bruce Ismay had dined with Dr. O'Loughhlin, who had been a doctor with the White Star Line for a good many years. After dinner Bruce had retired to his cabin for the evening and was sleeping at the time of the collision. He was awakened by the jolt and like Ray, he had at first thought the ship had dropped a propeller. he got out of bed and went into the corridor to see what had happened, but the steward he questioned knew nothing. Bruce knew enough about ships to now realise something serious was wrong, so he put on a pair of trousers and an overcoat and proceeded for the first time to the bridge. There he saw Captain Smith who told him that they had struck ice. He asked Captain Smith if the ship was seriously damaged, Smith replied "I'm afraid she is." Bruce then went below and on the main staircase he met Bell, the chief engineer who advised him that the pumps would only keep the water out for a while. he returned to the bridge and saw Captain Smith who, with Thomas Andrews, had carried out an inspection of the ship and ascertained the damage. Thy told Mr. Ismay how seriously the ship was damaged, and that she would not last the night.

When Captain Smith gave the orders to prepare the lifeboats Bruce Ismay did everything he could to assist with getting the lifeboats out and evacuating the women and children. He helped to fill and lower lifeboats 3,5, 7 and 9 on the starboard side. Chief officer Wilde and first officer Murdoch and charge of lowering the lifeboats from the starboard side, Fifth Officer Lowe was helping them. Being fully aware of the situation, Bruce was very anxious indeed for the safety of the passengers. Knowing how little time there was he was urging Lowe to hurry, shouting "Lower away. Lower away." Officer Lowe did not know who Ismay was and thought he was an over exited passenger and vented his over anxiety with, "If you'll get the Hell out of the way, we can get on with the job". The chairman of the line turned and walked away completely squashed just as he had been many times before when Thomas, his father, had spoke severely to him.

Chief officer Wilde was lowering the last lifeboat, C collapsible, on the starboard side. It was almost full and was being lowered. There were no more passengers , either men or women in sight Wild ordered Bruce Ismay and Mr. Carter, who was also helping, to get into the boat. Bruce sat with his back to the stern of the boat pushing the oar away from him, with his back to the Titanic, he could not bear to see her end.

It was about 06:15 when he boarded the Carpathia, by this time he was completely wrecked; It was he who had the Titanic and her sister ship built, he was overwhelmed by the tragedy. He was taken to the doctor' cabin for treatment and it was while he was there that the rumors started, mainly by two first class lady passengers, both had lost their husbands and they were having to sleep on blankets in the saloon. The chairman of the line being looked after in the doctor's cabin was too much. Bruce had only got into the lifeboat in the belief that all the women had been evacuated from the Titanic, when he heard that there were still women onboard he was devastated, and collapsed.

Bruce's secretary and butler were also missing, he felt that he was responsible for them being onboard and this made matters worse. When he finally returned to England he ensured their widows received an annuity for life.

According to Lightoller:

At the American inquiry Lightoller described Ismay's position fully, he was the second officer onboard the Titanic and the surviving senior officer.

In his his words: " I may say that at the time Mr. Ismay did not seem to be in a mental condition to finally decide anything. I tried my utmost to rouse Mr. Ismay for he was obsessed with the idea and kept repeating that he ought to have gone down with the ship because he fond that women had gone down. I told him that there was no such reason; I told him a very great deal; I tried to get the idea out of his head, but he was taken with it; and I know that the doctor tried too; but we had difficulty in arousing Mr. Ismay, purely owing to that, wholly and solely women had gone down in the boat and he had not. You can call the doctor of the Carpathia and he will verify that statement"

While aboard the Carpthia the Officers met for a discussion knowing that upon their return to England, an inquiry would be held. Thet feared that the crew of the Titanic may go onto other ships, ( the pay of all crew being stopped from when the Titanic sank).

The Cedric was in New York and was ready to sail to Liverpool, they had wondered if it would be possible to keep her there until the Carpathia arrived. Lightoller went to the Doctors cabin to explain the situation to Bruce Ismay. He just managed to comprehend what was being said. In view of this, a message was sent to the White Star offices in New York signed, YAMSI. This is a special coding used by the Ismay family and was used by Bruse Ismay to differentiate between messages regarding Ismay, Imrie & company and his private messages. He asked for the Cadric to be held until the arrival of the Carpathia.

As the Carpathia was returning to New York carrying the survivors the US decided to hold it's own inquiry before the crew of the Titanic could return to England.

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