I think that it was partly because of the lack of lifeboat drills that Lights didn't allow men on, but: the thing is, if they'd had the drills, would more people have been saved? Think: Once people participated in the drill, they would know that there were not enough lifeboats for all. Now, there were, as we know, many honorable men on board (including Lightoller) who surely would've stepped aside and attempted to place their wives/daughters/children/etc. in boats. But there would also have been less honorable men, including those who attempted to rush and board the very last boats, Collapsibles C & D, who would know now that there was not room enough for all, and cause a riot, panic, etc. Also, you may notice I said the honorable men would've "attempted" to place their women-friends and children in boats. Many women only entered the boats without their husbands because they were assured that the men would be along later. Think of all the headstrong women who would've refused to go; yet if this moral code of "women and children first" had still been upheld in that situation, the boats would've left with even fewer aboard.
Just something interesting to speculate on. :wink:

By the way, I too agree Lightoller was NEAT--he's one of my favorite officers, I think. :D

[quote:fa0eb63674="Teamtunafish"]He was a NEAT guy.[/quote:fa0eb63674]

yep, he was a very neat guy. lol

He was a NEAT guy.

[quote:c94fbfa6a5="Teamtunafish"]:P[/quote:c94fbfa6a5]

:P to you too. lol,

Lights died on the day my mum was born, thats quite a cool coincidence

:P

[quote:266d9fcf36="Teamtunafish"]Joe, please be aware that I think [i:266d9fcf36]very[/i:266d9fcf36] highly of Lights, and he did a WONDERFUL job under extraordinary conditions. I have nothing but admiration for him.

He let those boats go because he ordered them over to one of the entry gangways and pick up others. The problem was the order was not carried out - hardly surprising, but it wound up putting Lights in an unfair spotlight vis-a-vie the unfilled lifeboats.[/quote:266d9fcf36]

LOL, i know you do Lee, i was just having a rant about it. it wasn't aimed at you, i just quoted you so that everyone would know what i was talking about :wink:

Joe, please be aware that I think [i:db9f5f52ab]very[/i:db9f5f52ab] highly of Lights, and he did a WONDERFUL job under extraordinary conditions. I have nothing but admiration for him.

He let those boats go because he ordered them over to one of the entry gangways and pick up others. The problem was the order was not carried out - hardly surprising, but it wound up putting Lights in an unfair spotlight vis-a-vie the unfilled lifeboats.

[quote:28920d9a79="Teamtunafish"]I have a copy of Light's voice somewhere if anyone wants to hear it - he had a marvellously musical baritone.[/quote:28920d9a79]

How did you get that?

ME ME ME I WANT TO HEAR HIS VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry, i just got over-excited lol.


[quote:7b47493ec5="Teamtunafish"]OK, so why do you think he let all those lifeboats go half-illed?[/quote:7b47493ec5]

do you know, it annoys me when people make Lights out to be a villian for not letting many men go. i think his intentions were to get as many women and children off as possible and then the boats would return for the men. gee, some people i have talked to make him out to be some sort of man hater, but if he was then he wouldn't have kept the spirits up of those on the upturned life-boat and he wouldn't have risked his life to rescue those men from Dunkirk.

ok my rant is over with now

I have a copy of Light's voice somewhere if anyone wants to hear it - he had a marvellously musical baritone.