January 1912 storm

[Dan Kappes]

According to the Wikipedia page of the television series Titanic: Blood and Steel, which mentions the storm:

The January 1912 storm encountered by the Olympic, which Captain Smith described as the worst he had encountered in his career, actually proved her great strength, rather than any inherent weakness in her hull or that of Titanic. Olympic required no repairs following the storm, and was not forced to "limp" into New York harbor.

Wikipedia's reference note says it can from the book On A Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of the R.M.S. Titanic.

On A Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of the R.M.S. Titanic (Tad Fitch, J. Kent Layton and Bill Wormstedt), Appendix A: "Titanic's Technical Specifications & Some Common Technical Misconceptions", ISBN 1848689276), pg. 285.

Does anyone else have any information about this storm? Where in the Atlantic Ocean did the Olympic encounter the storm?

And does anyone have a copy of that book and does it provide more detail about the storm?

 

[Harland Duzen]

I have a copy, and it does mention the storm on Page 285 of "On A Sea of Glass", it states:

"Finally, as regards the strength of the Titanic's hull design, we know that the Olympic's strength, both prior to the Titanic-disaster and after her post-Titanic modifications, was unquestionable. During January of 1912, the ship [Olympic] fought her way through a tremendous gale while west-bound for New York. Captain Smith remembered it as the worst storm he had ever seen in his career. In enormous seas, rails along the Forecastle were torn off, the No1. Hatch cover -- which weighed five tons -- was ripped from it's mount and thrown onto the Well Deck, and the steam winch and anchor windlass were loosened. Despite this brutal punishment, there was no sign of weakness in the Olympic's structure, which was comparable to Titanic's on her maiden voyage. Other than some discomfort to a few seasick or nervous passengers, and that it all made for a good story for the papers, the whole storm was something of a non-event. By comparison, during Titanic's initial crossing, the weather was smooth and clam."

You might be able to find some news-reports on the storm-voyage here: Chronicling America « Library of Congress

Hope this helps.