Titanic 4D

The sinking of RMS Titanic, 14–15 April 1912

The night in words

The sinking of RMS Titanic, from the collision at 11:40 p.m. on 14 April 1912 to the two sections of the wreck at rest on the seabed, in ship's time. This page says in text everything that the 3D reconstruction shows.

How to read it

Lives lost

The sources do not agree on the number of people aboard or lost. Their counts are given separately; none is preferred.

People aboard, saved and lost, according to each source
Source Aboard Saved Lost
British Wreck Commissioner's report (1912) 2,201 711 1,490
US Senate report (1912) 2,223 706 1,517
Encyclopedia Titanica 2,208 712 1,496
British Board of Trade figure cited by Britannica Not stated Not stated 1,503

The light on the horizon

Until the ship founders, the reconstruction shows one faint light low on the horizon: that of the SS Californian. How far away she lay is disputed; the positions are given side by side.

Chronology

  1. 11:40 p.m. Collision with the iceberg

    Moments after the lookouts report an iceberg right ahead and the helm is put hard over, the ship strikes the ice on her starboard side forward, below the waterline. First Officer Murdoch closes the watertight doors and Captain Smith comes to the bridge.

    Starboard bow, below the waterline

    Established, give or take 6 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  2. 11:40 p.m. Water enters boiler rooms 6 and 5

    Water comes through the ship's side about two feet above the stokehold plates in No. 6 boiler room and in the forward starboard coal bunker of No. 5.

    Boiler rooms 6 and 5

    Established, give or take 1 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  3. 11:42 p.m. Engines stopped

    The engines are noticed to have stopped. Fourth Officer Boxhall goes below to inspect the forward passenger spaces.

    Engine room; forward decks

    Estimated, give or take 2 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  4. 11:45 p.m. Forepeak tank filling

    Crew find air being forced out of the forepeak tank as it fills, and ice lying on the forward well deck.

    Forecastle; forward well deck

    Established, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  5. 11:47 p.m. Steam blows off at the funnels

    With the engines stopped, the boilers begin venting steam through the safety valves at the funnels, with a noise that hampers speech on deck and wireless reception.

    Funnels

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  6. 11:50 p.m. List of about 5° to starboard

    The inclinometer in the wheelhouse shows a list of about five degrees to starboard, five to ten minutes after the collision.

    Wheelhouse

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  7. 11:50 p.m. Water rising in the forward compartments

    About ten minutes after the collision the water stands about eight feet above the double bottom in No. 6 boiler room and about seven feet deep in No. 1 hold. The carpenter reports to the bridge that the ship is making water.

    Boiler room 6; No. 1 hold

    Established, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  8. 11:52 p.m. Stokehold lights fail briefly

    The lights go out in the stokeholds of boiler rooms 5 and 4; lamps are sent for. They come back about ten minutes later.

    Boiler rooms 5 and 4

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  9. 11:52 p.m. Mail hold flooding

    Boxhall finds the mail hold flooding, with the water within about two feet of G deck and rising.

    No. 3 hold, Orlop and G decks

    Established, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  10. 11:55 p.m. Water reaches G deck forward

    Water comes onto G deck around No. 1 hatch, and flooding is seen in the first-class baggage room.

    No. 1 and No. 3 holds, G deck

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  11. 12:00 a.m. Officers called; all hands to the boats

    Boxhall reports the flooding of the mail room to Captain Smith and is sent to call the off-duty officers; the boatswain calls all hands to the boats. Water is coming up No. 1 hatch into the firemen's quarters. The clock change planned for midnight is not made.

    Bridge; officers' quarters; forecastle

    Established, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  12. 12:05 a.m. Order to uncover the boats

    The order is given to uncover the lifeboats. Covers are taken off while steam roars from the funnels.

    Boat deck

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  13. 12:10 a.m. Water nears E deck forward

    Water is within six steps of E deck on the stairs leading down to the mail room. Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews return from inspecting the flooded spaces.

    E deck forward

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  14. 12:12 a.m. Boats swung out; passengers called up

    Captain Smith orders the boats swung out and passengers called on deck with lifebelts.

    Bridge; Boat deck

    Debated, give or take 8 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): Order to swing out given at 12.20.
    Sources

  15. 12:22 a.m. Andrews judges the ship lost

    Thomas Andrews tells Captain Smith that the ship cannot be saved and has perhaps an hour to an hour and a half left.

    Bridge

    Estimated, give or take 7 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  16. 12:25 a.m. Water on E deck forward

    A wooden bulkhead gives way and about three feet of water enters the seamen's quarters on E deck.

    E deck forward, over No. 2 hold

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  17. 12:25 a.m. Women and children to the boats; call for assistance

    Captain Smith orders women and children into the boats, then goes to the Marconi room and orders the call for assistance.

    Boat deck; Marconi room

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  18. 12:27 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    First distress call: CQD, requiring assistance, position 41°44′N, 50°24′W. Logged at 10:25 p.m. New York time by Cape Race, Mount Temple, La Provence.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12.15 a.m. ship's time.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 11:58 p.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:15 a.m.
    Sources

  19. 12:30 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    CQD with the same position, repeated about ten times. Logged at 10:28 p.m. New York time by Ypiranga.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:01 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:18 a.m.
    Sources

  20. 12:35 a.m. Boxhall's position taken to the wireless cabin

    Boxhall shows Captain Smith the position he has worked out, 41°46′N, 50°14′W, and takes it to the wireless cabin. It replaces the first position sent and lies about 13 nautical miles west of where the wreck was found.

    Chart room; Marconi room

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  21. 12:37 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    To Carpathia: come at once, we have struck a berg; corrected position 41°46′N, 50°14′W. Logged at 10:35 p.m. New York time by Carpathia, Cape Race.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12.25 a.m. ship's time.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:08 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:25 a.m.
    Sources

  22. 12:38 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    Collision with an iceberg, sinking; nothing can be heard for the noise of steam. Logged at 10:36 p.m. New York time by Ypiranga.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12.26 a.m. ship's time.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:09 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:26 a.m.
    Sources

  23. 12:40 a.m. Lifeboat No. 7 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 7 begins lowering from the starboard side, forward group of davits. In charge: Lookout George Hogg. About 28 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. First boat away.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 12:40 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12:45 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 12:40 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 27 persons.
    Sources

  24. 12:42 a.m. Wireless: Frankfurt (DFT)

    Frankfurt acknowledges the call. Mount Temple turns toward the position given. Logged at 10:40 p.m. New York time by Mount Temple, Caronia, Cape Race.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:13 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:30 a.m.
    Sources

  25. 12:43 a.m. Lifeboat No. 5 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 5 begins lowering from the starboard side, forward group of davits. In charge: Third Officer Herbert Pitman. About 36 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. The first distress signal went up while it was being lowered.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 12:45 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12:55 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 12:50 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 41 persons.
    Sources

  26. 12:45 a.m. Engineers work to bring pumps forward

    The watertight doors aft of the engine room are ordered open so that a portable suction pipe can be carried forward; it is connected in No. 4 boiler room by about 1:35.

    Engine room; shaft tunnels; boiler room 4

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  27. 12:47 a.m. First distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  28. 12:48 a.m. Rowe told to bring distress signals

    Quartermaster Rowe, on the poop, telephones the bridge to report a boat in the water and is told to bring more distress signals forward.

    Poop; bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  29. 12:49 a.m. Wireless: Carpathia (MPA)

    Carpathia gives her position and says she is coming; Bride takes the news to Captain Smith. Logged at 10:47 p.m. New York time by Titanic.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:20 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:37 a.m.
    Sources

  30. 12:53 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  31. 12:55 a.m. Water flows from E deck to F deck

    Water is seen flowing down the first-class stairs from E deck to F deck, just abaft bulkhead F: it has risen above the tops of the forward watertight bulkheads.

    E and F decks, over boiler room 4

    Estimated, give or take 10 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  32. 12:55 a.m. Lifeboat No. 3 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 3 begins lowering from the starboard side, forward group of davits. In charge: Able Seaman George Moore. About 32 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 12:55 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:00 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 12:55 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 50 persons.
    Sources

  33. 12:57 a.m. Rockets seen from the Californian

    On the SS Californian, stopped in the ice to the north, Second Officer Stone sees the first of eight white rockets over a steamer to the south-east.

    SS Californian

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  34. 12:57 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    First logged SOS, in a call to Olympic. Logged at 10:55 p.m. New York time by Mount Temple, Celtic.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:28 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:45 a.m.
    Sources

  35. 12:58 a.m. Steam stops blowing off

    The roar of escaping steam at the funnels ceases.

    Funnels

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  36. 12:59 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  37. 1:00 a.m. Lifeboat No. 8 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 8 begins lowering from the port side, forward group of davits. In charge: Able Seaman Thomas Jones. About 27 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Told to row for the light seen on the horizon.

    Boat deck, port side

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:05 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:10 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:20 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 39 persons.
    Sources

  38. 1:04 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    SOS and CQD with the position. Logged at 11:02 p.m. New York time by Ypiranga.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:35 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:52 a.m.
    Sources

  39. 1:05 a.m. Emergency boat No. 1 lowered

    Emergency boat No. 1 begins lowering from the starboard side, forward group of davits. In charge: Lookout George Symons. About 12 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 40. Caught on a wire guy while lowering; reached the water about ten minutes later.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:05 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:10 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:00 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 12 persons.
    Sources

  40. 1:05 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  41. 1:10 a.m. Rush of water in boiler room 5

    A rush of water through the pass between the boilers drives the men out of No. 5 boiler room.

    Boiler room 5

    Debated, give or take 30 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): A bunker door gave way about an hour after the collision, that is about 12:40.
    Sources

  42. 1:10 a.m. Lifeboat No. 6 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 6 begins lowering from the port side, forward group of davits. In charge: Quartermaster Robert Hichens. About 24 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Halted on the way down while a passenger climbed down the falls to help man it.

    Boat deck, port side

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 12:55 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 12:55 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 12:55 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 28 persons.
    Sources

  43. 1:11 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  44. 1:12 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    To Olympic: position 41°46′N, 50°14′W; we have struck an iceberg. Logged at 11:10 p.m. New York time by Olympic, Baltic, Virginian.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:43 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:00 a.m.
    Sources

  45. 1:17 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  46. 1:20 a.m. List gone; water in boiler room 4

    The starboard list has disappeared and the ship is upright before beginning to list to port. Water is rising through the stokehold plates at the forward end of No. 4 boiler room, and from a boat the sea is seen up to the second row of portholes under the ship's name.

    Whole ship; boiler room 4; bow

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  47. 1:20 a.m. Stokers and greasers ordered on deck

    Most of the remaining firemen, trimmers and greasers are ordered up from the stokeholds and engine rooms with lifebelts. Boiler rooms 3, 2 and 1 and the engine rooms are still dry. The engineers remain at work below.

    Boiler and engine rooms

    Established, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  48. 1:20 a.m. Lifeboat No. 16 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 16 begins lowering from the port side, aft group of davits. In charge: Master-at-Arms Joseph Bailey. About 53 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65.

    Boat deck, port side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:20 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:35 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:30 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 56 persons.
    Sources

  49. 1:22 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    To Olympic: the captain says get your boats ready; going down fast at the head. Logged at 11:20 p.m. New York time by Olympic, Mount Temple, Baltic.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:53 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:10 a.m.
    Sources

  50. 1:23 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  51. 1:25 a.m. Lifeboat No. 14 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 14 begins lowering from the port side, aft group of davits. In charge: Fifth Officer Harold Lowe. About 40 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. The after falls hung up and the boat dropped the last few feet.

    Boat deck, port side

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:30 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:30 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:40 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 63 persons.
    Sources

  52. 1:28 a.m. Wireless: Frankfurt (DFT)

    Frankfurt says her captain will make for Titanic; Titanic acknowledges. Logged at 11:26 p.m. New York time by Mount Temple, Ypiranga.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 12:59 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:16 a.m.
    Sources

  53. 1:29 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  54. 1:30 a.m. Lifeboat No. 12 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 12 begins lowering from the port side, aft group of davits. In charge: Able Seaman John Poingdestre. About 41 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Last boat to reach the Carpathia.

    Boat deck, port side

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:25 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:25 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:35 a.m.
    • Wikipedia, "Lifeboats of the Titanic": Able Seaman Clench at first, then Poingdestre.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 42 persons.
    Sources

  55. 1:32 a.m. Lifeboat No. 9 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 9 begins lowering from the starboard side, aft group of davits. In charge: Boatswain's Mate Albert Haines. About 40 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:15 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:20 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:05 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 56 persons.
    Sources

  56. 1:35 a.m. Forecastle deck not yet under

    Seen from the boats, the forecastle deck is still above water.

    Forecastle

    Established, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  57. 1:35 a.m. Lifeboat No. 11 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 11 begins lowering from the starboard side, aft group of davits. In charge: Able Seaman Sidney Humphreys. About 50 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Loaded from A deck.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:25 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:25 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:10 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 70 persons.
    Sources

  58. 1:35 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  59. 1:37 a.m. Lifeboat No. 13 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 13 begins lowering from the starboard side, aft group of davits. In charge: Leading Fireman Frederick Barrett. About 55 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Loaded from A deck; carried aft by a pump discharge under the descending No. 15.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:30 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:35 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:15 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 64 persons.
    Sources

  60. 1:37 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    To Olympic: we are putting the women off in the boats. Cape Race hears Titanic no more after this. Logged at 11:35 p.m. New York time by Olympic, Mount Temple, Baltic, Virginian.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:08 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:25 a.m.
    Sources

  61. 1:38 a.m. Lifeboat No. 15 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 15 begins lowering from the starboard side, aft group of davits. In charge: Fireman Frank Dymond. About 66 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Started down about half a minute after No. 13.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:33 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:35 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:25 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 70 persons.
    Sources

  62. 1:41 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  63. 1:42 a.m. Emergency boat No. 2 lowered

    Emergency boat No. 2 begins lowering from the port side, forward group of davits. In charge: Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall. About 18 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 40. First boat picked up by the Carpathia.

    Boat deck, port side

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:45 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:45 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:50 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 26 persons.
    Sources

  64. 1:43 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    CQD: engine room flooded. Logged at 11:41 p.m. New York time by Mount Temple.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:14 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:31 a.m.
    Sources

  65. 1:45 a.m. Propellers partly out of the water

    From a boat astern, the propellers are seen about half out of the water.

    Stern

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  66. 1:47 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  67. 1:47 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    To Olympic: weather clear and calm. To Baltic: engine room getting flooded. Logged at 11:45 p.m. New York time by Olympic, Baltic.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:18 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:35 a.m.
    Sources

  68. 1:49 a.m. Wireless: Baltic (MBC)

    Baltic says she is rushing to Titanic. Last time Mount Temple hears Titanic. Logged at 11:47 p.m. New York time by Mount Temple, Olympic.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:20 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:37 a.m.
    Sources

  69. 1:50 a.m. Forward well deck awash; heavy list to port

    The forward well deck is awash and the ship has a marked list to port. The forecastle head is close to the water but not yet submerged.

    Forward well deck; forecastle

    Established, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  70. 1:50 a.m. Lifeboat No. 10 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 10 begins lowering from the port side, aft group of davits. In charge: Able Seaman Edward Buley. About 57 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65.

    Boat deck, port side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:50 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:20 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:45 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 55 persons.
    Sources

  71. 1:50 a.m. Lifeboat No. 4 lowered

    Lifeboat No. 4 begins lowering from the port side, forward group of davits. In charge: Quartermaster Walter Perkis. About 30 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 65. Lowered to A deck early in the night and loaded there through the promenade windows.

    Boat deck, port side

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 1:55 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:55 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 1:55 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 40 persons.
    Sources

  72. 1:53 a.m. Distress signal fired

    A white distress signal is fired from the starboard side of the bridge: it rises, bursts with a report and throws out white stars.

    Starboard side of the bridge

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • Quartermaster Rowe (1912): "From about a quarter to one to about 1.25" (Q17684).
    • British Inquiry report (1912): Firing continued until Boxhall left the ship at about 1.45.
    Sources

  73. 1:57 a.m. Wireless operators released

    Captain Smith tells the wireless operators they have done their duty and can do no more. Phillips continues to transmit.

    Marconi room

    Estimated, give or take 12 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  74. 1:57 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    Last message heard by Carpathia: engine room full up to boilers. Logged at 11:55 p.m. New York time by Carpathia.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1.45 a.m. ship's time.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:28 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:45 a.m.
    Sources

  75. 2:00 a.m. Collapsible C lowered

    Collapsible C begins lowering from the starboard side, forward group of davits. In charge: Quartermaster George Rowe. About 43 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 47. Launched from the davits of boat No. 1.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 2:00 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 1:40 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 2:00 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 71 persons.
    Sources

  76. 2:00 a.m. Wireless: Titanic (MGY)

    Titanic is heard calling CQD and SOS; Asian answers and gets no reply. Logged at 11:58 p.m. New York time by Asian.

    Marconi room

    Debated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:31 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:48 a.m.
    Sources

  77. 2:05 a.m. Forecastle going under; water on A deck

    As the last boat is lowered from the davits, the forecastle head is going under, the forward well deck is submerged and water is coming onto A deck on the port side and up the stairway under the Boat deck.

    Forecastle; A deck, port side forward

    Established, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  78. 2:05 a.m. Collapsible D lowered

    Collapsible D begins lowering from the port side, forward group of davits. In charge: Quartermaster Arthur Bright. About 20 people are attributed to this boat, which could hold 47. Last boat lowered from the davits, those of boat No. 2; the water was by then only a few metres below the Boat deck.

    Boat deck, port side

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 2:05 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): 2:05 a.m.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 2:10 a.m.
    • Witnesses' claims tabulated by the British Inquiry report (1912), which calls them unreliable: 44 persons.
    Sources

  79. 2:07 a.m. Electrical power failing; wireless cabin abandoned

    Phillips sends a last call without reply as the power fails, and the operators leave the cabin.

    Marconi room

    Estimated, give or take 5 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  80. 2:12 a.m. Wireless: Attributed to Titanic

    The Virginian's operator logs Titanic calling very faintly, her power greatly reduced. Logged at 12:10 a.m. New York time by Virginian.

    Marconi room

    Debated. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern; Paul Lee: Probably not Titanic: nearer ships heard nothing.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 1:43 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 2:00 a.m.
    Sources

  81. 2:15 a.m. The bow plunges; the bridge goes under

    The bow takes a sudden plunge and the sea sweeps over the bridge and the forward Boat deck. The crow's nest is about level with the water. The lights are still burning.

    Bridge; forward Boat deck

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  82. 2:15 a.m. Collapsible A floats off

    Collapsible A floats off from the roof of the officers' quarters, starboard side. About 13 people reached this boat from the water. Floated off partly swamped as the forward Boat deck went under, while being attached to the falls.

    Boat deck, starboard side

    Estimated, give or take 2 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 2:17 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): Floated off when the ship sank.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 2:17 a.m.
    Sources

  83. 2:15 a.m. Collapsible B floats off

    Collapsible B floats off from the roof of the officers' quarters, port side. About 28 people reached this boat from the water. Floated off upside down; men stood on its upturned hull through the night.

    Boat deck, port side

    Estimated, give or take 2 min. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern (2023): 2:17 a.m.
    • British Inquiry report (1912): Floated off when the ship sank.
    • Ioannis Georgiou (2012–2016), as tabulated by Halpern: 2:18 a.m.
    Sources

  84. 2:16 a.m. The forward funnel falls

    The forward funnel falls, close to the overturned collapsible B.

    Forward funnel

    Estimated, give or take 4 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  85. 2:17 a.m. The lights go out

    All the ship's lights go out, two to three minutes before the stern disappears. From the Californian the steamer's lights are seen to disappear at the same moment.

    Whole ship

    Estimated, give or take 1 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  86. 2:17 a.m. The hull breaks apart

    The hull fails abaft amidships. The stern settles back toward the water, then tips up again as the flooding bow drags its forward end down.

    Between the third funnel and the reciprocating engine room

    Debated, give or take 1 min. Show this moment

    • British and US inquiries (1912): The ship sank intact: "The ship did not break in two".
    Sources

  87. 2:18 a.m. The stern rises

    The stern section rises to a steep angle and remains afloat for a few minutes at most.

    Stern

    Debated, give or take 1 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  88. 2:20 a.m. The ship founders

    The stern disappears below the surface, two hours and forty minutes after the collision.

    About 41°43.5′N, 49°56.8′W

    Established, give or take 1 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  89. 2:24 a.m. The bow section reaches the seabed

    The bow section strikes the bottom about 3,800 metres down, burying its stem in the sediment.

    Seabed, about 600 m from the stern section

    Estimated, give or take 2 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  90. 2:26 a.m. The stern section reaches the seabed

    The stern section, falling almost vertically and probably rotating, strikes the bottom near the boilers that fell from the break.

    Seabed, near the boiler field

    Estimated, give or take 3 min. Show this moment

    Sources

  91. 2:29 a.m. Wireless: Attributed to Titanic

    The Virginian logs a blurred CQ that ends abruptly, as if the power had been switched off. Logged at 12:27 a.m. New York time by Virginian.

    Marconi room

    Debated. Show this moment

    • Samuel Halpern; Paul Lee: Not from Titanic: with the adopted offset it falls nine minutes after the ship had sunk.
    • US Senate report, Boxhall, Lightoller, Rostron (1912): With ship's time 1 h 33 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 2:00 a.m.
    • Implied by the British report (1912): With ship's time 1 h 50 min ahead of New York time, this log entry falls at 2:17 a.m.
    Sources