Titanic collapsible lifeboat B. This collapsible boat was never launched as such from the Titanic. When boat D had departed from the port side, the crew tried to fasten boat B to the davits, but somehow it fell from the roof of the officers' quarters and fell down to the boat deck, on its back, shortly before the sea washed over that area. The crew who had been trying to get the boat in working order simply crawled up on the overturned boat. One of those who had been there looking after the boat was Second Officer Lightoller. Together with the crew near him, he climbed onto the boat. Soon, the boat's keel was full of people.
Trimmer James McGann was one of those who helped with boat B. He said he saw the Captain jumping at the same time, but lost sight of him after that. Wireless Operator Harold Bride found refuge on the upturned collapsible boat; he also claimed to having seen the Captain jump when boat B got into the water. Fireman Harry Senior also made a comment to this effect. Colonel Gracie, a first class passenger, would later write a book about his experiences. He thought most of those on the boat were crewmembers and so did Lightoller and others. On the other hand, numerous men passengers would later claim to having been on it. Estimates as to the number of people on it vary; there may have been upward of 30 people, mainly crewmen, on it to begin with, but some of the initial survivors died during the night; a number of two or three is mentioned. It seems likely about 25 people were rescued from boat B when the crew of boats 4 and 12 heard officer Lightoller's whistle calling for them and they subsequently came over and collected those on it.
We found 23 people.
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