Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller

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Charles Herbert Lightoller began his sea career at age 13 as an apprentice on a fishing
boat and over the years became experienced and advanced in rank. On one ship, he survived a cyclone off the coast of Australia and got a huge promotion from Cunard Line and then switched to the White Star Line as Chief Officer on the 'Majestic' but after a few years, was transferred to the R.M.S. Titanic. He was going to be 1st officer but the company decided to give William Murdoch that position. Murdoch was Chief Officer on the Majestic and they knew each other well. Lightoller was demoted to second officer but he didn't mind saying,"It's the honor of serving the company." On that frightful night of April 14, Lightoller was in bed when the iceberg struck and didn't hear it. He awoke when he heard steam coming from the smokestack. He quickly got on a sweater and some trousers along with an overcoat and went on deck and learned everything from the captain. Murdoch took the captain and him to his cabin and gave each of them pistols. Murdoch took charge of the starboard side while Lightoller took charge of the port. Lightoller let ONLY women and children in the boats. Soon, only collapsible D and B were left. As he was loading, a few men jumped into the boat nearly capsized it! Lightoller then fired shots into the air and had all the men lock arms and let only women and children through. He then went
to Collapsible B. After getting it off the roof, water came up and swept him and the lifeboat off the deck and was being sucked down by his overcoat. With a little struggling, he got it off and rose to the surface the water was so cold, that it felt like a thousand knives going through his skin. He looked around and saw Collapsible
B right beside him and overturned. He got on and had the men in rows to keep their balance so that they wouldn't flip over when suddenly, the lights on the Titanic went
out and there was a terrific noise and saw the outline of the ship break in two.
Then the ship sank and there were horrific cries for help that died down after a short while. There was an eerie silence until he heard squeaking and light splashing. Lightoller blew his whistle and then came a voice saying "Is that you sir?" "Indeed Officer Low!" said Lightoller. Lightoller became captain but served in
WW2 as 1st officer of the H.M.S. Hawk. He later retired as a celebrity officer and died in 1952 at the age of 72. His ashes were scattered over the garden of rememberance
.