The Confusing Accounts of Quartermaster Rowe

Inquiry Testimonies (1912):

• Collision: Rowe felt a slight jar at 11:40 p.m. and saw the iceberg pass close to the stern.
• Actions: He read the taffrail log (260 miles since noon) and remained on the Docking Bridge until he saw a lifeboat at 12:25 a.m.
• Communication: He telephoned the Fore Bridge, was asked to bring rockets forward, and assisted in firing them and using the Morse Lamp.
• Lifeboat: Assisted in loading Collapsible C, saw no panic, and noted the Titanic’s list to port.

1950s and 1960s Accounts:

• Walter Lord (1955): Rowe mentioned the iceberg’s height, the ship stopping, and assisting with rockets and Morse Lamp.
• BBC (1956): Reiterated the iceberg collision, engine reversal, and firing rockets.
• Leslie Harrison (1963): Provided times for lifeboat launches and rocket firing, mentioned steam ceasing, and confirmed he did not adjust his watch.
• Ed Kamuda (1963-1968): Detailed the iceberg strike, engine reversal, and lifeboat loading, with some inconsistencies.

Conflicts and Inconsistencies:

• Engine Reversal: Rowe’s later accounts mention immediate engine reversal, conflicting with other testimonies.
• Lifeboat Sightings: Discrepancies in the timing of lifeboat sightings and launches.
• Rocket Firing: Conflicting details about the sequence and timing of rocket firing.
• Watch Adjustment: Evidence suggests Rowe likely reset his watch, despite his claim otherwise.

Conclusion:

• Rowe’s later accounts are unreliable and contradictory, with times that do not match other evidence.
• His memories had faded over the years, leading to inconsistencies.
• The questions asked in the 50s and 60s were good, but similar questions should have been asked in 1912 when his memories were fresh.