Hi, I am new in here but would like to reply also to the Ismay topic.

I think I had read where Ismay said he looked around and did not see any other women or children? so he proceeded to get in the lifeboat. I feel because he WAS connected with Titanic he became a scapegoat re: the sinking. And Bess had a goodpoint what good would it have done if he had not taken a seat and also so many seats could have been filled by men who did not get in and what a loss that was too. Just My opinion

welcome to the forum Betty, you have a good opinion :)

It's really hard to say. I could agree that it was selfish (and it was in a way)...but if I was on a sinking ship, and i saw that cold water coming faster toward me, I can't say that I wouldn't try to save myself.

There were so many lifeboats that went away not full. Just imagine for instance if someone like Mr. Andrews had gotten a seat, what ships could he have designed/built later on? IMO, I think Ismay just got singled out. As you read about some of the men who did survive, a lot of them felt guilty later on and I do believe a few committed suicide. It was the times.

Ismay was dubed a coward after he got into a lifeboat while other men sacrificed themselves to save childen and women and of couse ismay did order more speed while having a cup of tea with the captain. But he needed to have a good timing for competitive reasons. :wink:

Another reson ismay ordered more speed is so Titanic would make the morning papers and give the press more to write other than the ships elegance and size.

Oh and one more thing the Titanic needed to break the record set by the olympic. u see the titanic was 1004 gross tons larger than olympic more elegant and needed to prove to be faster. :D

I also beileve that Captain smith agreed to speed things up because he wanted to retire with a huge suprise by getting to new york early.

I also wouldnt blame ismay for getting in a lifeboat not only is it the reaction of being in a state of SHOCK :shock: i mean his ship is sinking the unsinkable one people are dying and water is rushing at him i cant say i wouldnt save myself.... But probably save my family first me last..... :wink:

I beleive that going down with the ship would have showed great couage honor bravery and respect. 8)