Titanic’s Mystery Whistles

References

• Various primary sources were examined, including:
  • Drawing Office Copy (Andrews Notebook): Mentions two electric steam whistles on the forward funnels.
  • The Shipbuilder: States that one set of whistles was fitted to the two foremost funnels.
  • Engineering: Notes that the two whistles were controlled by the Willett-Bruce system.
  • Post-disaster testimony: Indicates the whistles were not used the night of the disaster.
  • Olympic Auction Catalog (1935): Describes sirens fitted to all four funnels.
  • C.C. Pounder (1922): Mentions that cast-iron whistles and dummy pipes were often fitted to dummy funnels, suggesting non-functional whistles on the aft funnels.

Wreck Evidence

• Differences in the construction and materials of the whistles were noted:
  • Forward Whistles: Made of cast metal, which fractures under stress.
  • Aft Whistles: Made of wrought metal, which bends under stress, likely a less expensive metal like Muntz metal.

Functional or Non-Functional?

• The evidence suggests that while the aft whistles were different in construction, there is no direct reference confirming they were non-functional.
• C.C. Pounder’s reference to non-functional whistles on dummy funnels is the most persuasive evidence supporting the claim.

Conclusion

• The article concludes that the aft two whistles on Titanic were more likely non-functional based on the available evidence and primary references, particularly the statement by C.C. Pounder.