In an interesting twist, Quartermaster Robert Hichens' great-granddaughter Sally Nilsson has accused Murdoch of being asleep and drunk at the time of collision in a new book designed to clear Hichens name.
Her primary evidence consists of a letter naming Hichens as a Cape Town harbourmaster and seemingly supported by Hungarian Luis Klein who claimed to be a crew member.
Captain Smith, Fifth Officer Lowe and Hichens himself have all been accused of drinking alcohol on that fatal night, and one member of crew -Charles Joughin (chief baker)- alleged he survived due to drinking. But was First Officer Murdoch really "out cold from the wine he had consumed at a celebration for his captain" and Hichens unable to wake him as Nilsson will have us believe?
I have researched both sides of this serious allegation and collated it into this article (link): Was Murdoch drunk at the wheel?
I don't know if this is the first time an article has been written regarding accusations of Titanic's crew drinking, so please feel free to send any feedback, suggestions, corrections etc
Her primary evidence consists of a letter naming Hichens as a Cape Town harbourmaster and seemingly supported by Hungarian Luis Klein who claimed to be a crew member.
Captain Smith, Fifth Officer Lowe and Hichens himself have all been accused of drinking alcohol on that fatal night, and one member of crew -Charles Joughin (chief baker)- alleged he survived due to drinking. But was First Officer Murdoch really "out cold from the wine he had consumed at a celebration for his captain" and Hichens unable to wake him as Nilsson will have us believe?
I have researched both sides of this serious allegation and collated it into this article (link): Was Murdoch drunk at the wheel?
I don't know if this is the first time an article has been written regarding accusations of Titanic's crew drinking, so please feel free to send any feedback, suggestions, corrections etc