In the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, some people were lauded as heroes while others were criticised or even considered as villains. Invariably, the outlook has changed somewhat over the decades with new information, discovery of the wreck etc. But I'd like to know what individual opinions among ET members are.
Personally, ever since I got "into" the Titanic, I have had misgivings about the "heroic" Second Officer Lightoller. He has always given me the impression of being a born survivor, one who lives by instinct and thinks primarily of Number One, including safeguarding his own reputation. I believe that Lightoller never had any second thoughts about his own survival at any cost but rather than make advance plans, kept his options open and saw out how events transpired.
I do not criticize Lightoller for that attitude but during subsequent investigations he appears to have carefully measured his statements and responses so that they could not be verified because those that could contradict his statements had not survived the disaster.
Do others have similar favourable or unfavourable impressions about individual crew and passengers?
Personally, ever since I got "into" the Titanic, I have had misgivings about the "heroic" Second Officer Lightoller. He has always given me the impression of being a born survivor, one who lives by instinct and thinks primarily of Number One, including safeguarding his own reputation. I believe that Lightoller never had any second thoughts about his own survival at any cost but rather than make advance plans, kept his options open and saw out how events transpired.
I do not criticize Lightoller for that attitude but during subsequent investigations he appears to have carefully measured his statements and responses so that they could not be verified because those that could contradict his statements had not survived the disaster.
Do others have similar favourable or unfavourable impressions about individual crew and passengers?