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Of all the ships that heard the Titanic’s distress call on her ill-fated maiden voyage, the Carpathia was first on the scene. On hearing the SOS call Captain Arthur Rostron gave orders for the ship to proceed at her utmost speed to the scene of the disaster. She raced fifty-eight miles through the night at high speed to the location of the stricken vessel and arrived in time to pick up 706 survivors from the lifeboats and debris that were all that remained of the Titanic.
On board the Carpathia public rooms were turned into dormitories, clothing was made from steamer rugs and ship’s blankets and toilet articles were distributed. Passengers and crew gave up their cabins and did their utmost to make the survivors comfortable. At Captain Rostron’s suggestion, a memorial service was held in the ship’s lounge while a search was made for other survivors.
The Carpathia then sailed back to New York for fear of additional ice. Captain Rostron and his crew were the subjects of universal congratulation and admiration for their part in the rescue of the survivors. Captain Rostron came to live in West End at the end of a long career and is buried in West End Burial Ground. The inscription on his gravestone includes the wording:
Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, KBE, RD, RNR “ Captain of RMS Carpathia. Saved 706 souls from SS Titanic, 15 April 1912.” |
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Titanic Link |
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The Carpathia was the first ship on the scene after the distress call from the sinking Titanic… |
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RMS Carpathia |
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This page was last updated on:
09 September 2010 |
