#OtD 1912 2:37 GMT (23:39 Ship Time) Lookouts Fred Fleet and Reginald Lee spot an iceberg directly in the path of the #Titanic. They sound the warning bell three times, and Fleet lifts the handset on the telephone receiver to call the Bridge. Sixth Officer Moody answers the phone, and receives Fleet’s warning: “Iceberg right ahead!” Moody relays the warning to Murdoch.

In the intervening period, First Officer Murdoch had likely been scrutinizing the water ahead of the ship, carefully ascertaining the situation and what his best option for evasive action would be under the conditions he faced. As soon as Moody’s relayed warning was heard, he “rushed” onto the Bridge, ordering “Hard a starboard!” and swinging the engine telegraph handles to “Stop”.

Quartermaster Hichens, at the ship’s wheel in the Wheelhouse, immediately – and correctly – carried out Murdoch’s order; his action was carefully watched by Sixth Officer Moody, who stood beside him to ensure that there was no mistaken response.

Although the Titanic responded remarkably quickly to the helm orders, the iceberg was simply spotted too late…

#MaidenVoyage