The Aftermath

Chapter 7

April 15th 1912  At 2:15

More people came forward, most of them mothers with little children.  As each person was being lifted onto the lifeboat, I felt a sudden change in the deck.  It was just barely titled.  I glanced to the officer, to which we both shared a look.  The ship was really going to sink.  After the fifth lifeboat on our side had gone down in the water, you could see and feel the boat tilting.  People were starting to panic.  Some had started to surge towards the lifeboats pushing others down in the frenzy.  I could understand why; there were only three lifeboats left.  The commanding Officer, Officer Murdoch, fired his pistol into the air.  

"There will be no rushing towards the boats.  We will do this orderly.  Send the women and children first!"

I went to the next lifeboat and grabbed a woman and helped her in.  We had loaded in almost everybody that we could when Officer Murdoch grabbed my arm.  

"I need you to get in the lifeboat."

"No sir, I need to stay and help the other passengers."

"No, Anderson.  You are getting on.  Someone needs to lead the women.  I've already sent Officer Lowe down.  You're the next youngest officer. Go."

"But sir, I can't..."

"Yes," 

He gave me a shove towards the boat.

"Go! That's an order!"

I gave him a long look.  Then climbed up and over into the lifeboat.  Out of all the things I had seen in my life, this would be the instance of courage that I would hope to use a guide later in life. 

"Good luck sir."

I gave him one last look, and I was lowered down.  When we hit the water I told people to start rowing.  Only two men were aboard and they were rowing, so some women had to row.  

"What happens now?"

As I opened my mouth to answer, a giant cracking sound filled the air.  I glanced back at the ship.  Right between the third and fourth funnels, the ship was breaking apart.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  As the rest of the ship went further and further into the water the lights went out.  I knew we didn't have much longer.

"Row!  For God's sake, she's going down!"

The people with oars hurried.  Our lives did depend on it.  The suction of the boat would have pulled us under.  Soon, we were away from the danger zone.  Everybody glanced back at the Titanic.  The strangest sight was before us;  the stern was tilted high into the air.  Almost like it was pointing to something up in the heavens.  With a loud groan, it too, settled back down into the water.  

The great 'Ship of Dreams' was gone.  All that was left was a waking nightmare.  Screams echoed across the water from where the ship had gone down.  We sat in silence.  Just listening to the people scream.  

"Why didn't you go back?"

The reporter stared at the officer in horror awaiting his response.  The officer had now put one hand covering his eyes while he remembered.  

"Do you know what being swamped is?"

The reporter looked puzzled. 

"It's when all the drowning people try to grab on the boat coming to rescue them.  The rush so badly, that the lifeboat tips over, knocking the rescuers in the water with the rest of the drowning people.  I couldn't risk the people already in the lifeboat.  I still hear the screams.  You may think me a monster now, but I have to live with it for the rest of my life."

Since there was no way to tell time, I didn't know what time the screams stopped.  Only that they did, and we were left with a terrible silence.  The silence was broken by a whistle, and I glanced up at the water.  A lifeboat was making its way towards us.  

"Hello, lifeboat.  Who's in charge?"

"Seventh Officer Anderson.  Who are you?"

"Fifth Officer Lowe.  We are going to make these lifeboats connect together, and then I am going back for survivors."

I gave orders to the people on my boat, and the other boats who came near to make Officer Lowe's command a reality.  When it was finished, all the survivors were collectively in a few boats, leaving one empty for the survivors.  I moved closer to the lifeboat that was going away, to get on it.  This was my chance to try to find Bridget.  I hadn't seen her in the lifeboats, but there were only seven here; the empty one included.  I did not know if she had made it into a lifeboat.  The thought that she might be dead crossed my mind, and made me sick.  I was almost about to get in the empty lifeboat when Officer Lowe stopped me.

"What are you doing?"

"I am going with you."

"I need you to stay here and supervise the passengers."

"I am going with you.  Let another officer watch them.  I have to see if..."

My voice broke.  Officer Lowe looked at me funny, then his eyes softened.

"You were the one in love with one of the passengers."

I nodded staring at the water, not trusting myself to talk.  When I composed myself, I saw that another man had gotten out of the empty lifeboat, and clapped a hand on my back.

"Get on man."

I got on and started rowing back to where the Titanic had been.  In my mind I was praying that I wasn't too late.