Californian's relative position to Titanic

[John Morris]

I have read over and over again that the lights of the Californian were seen only on the port side of the Titanic, yet I don't understand how. The Californian has always been said to have been north of the Titanic which means that the lights would have been seen from the starboard side of the ship. Unless, of course, I am wrong and the Californian was in reality south of the Titanic's position.

John Morris

 

[George Behe]

Hi, John!

After ordering "hard astarboard" at the time of the collision, Murdoch ordered "hard aport" (which turned the Titanic's bows to starboard.) Titanic seems to have turned approximately ninety degrees to starboard before she finally came to a stop, and her bows were then facing roughly northward (per QM Rowe.) Californian was half a point off Titanic's port bow (roughly NNW of the Titanic) when her lights were first noticed by Titanic's officers.

All my best,

George

 

[John Morris]

Thanks George!

John Morris