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Introduction - While the general
subject of Titanic's lifeboats has been written about a great deal, technical
descriptions of the lifeboats have been sparse. There are no known surviving plans of Titanic’s
16 open boats, and it is probable that there never were any as this type of boat was
usually built “to the eye” with a mere midship mold. However, it is known that
lifeboats were built to specifications set forth by the Board of Trade, and a surveyor
would have inspected the boats on many occasions while under construction to ensure that
the specifications were followed.
Titanic’s lifeboats were the “double bow,” or
“double-ender,” type, and were supplied with the equipment required by the Board
of Trade at the time. It should be understood, however, that being “supplied
with” and being “fitted with” were two different terms. For instance, even
though the lifeboats were supplied with spirit compasses, they were not stowed in the
boats, but instead in a locker on deck, and were never placed in the boats prior to their
being launched . .
. (continued) |
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Image above, These Holmes Light Illustration - Holmes Lights were
intended to mark the position of a man overboard at night. Author’s collection
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Framing - The foundations, or what
were generally referred to as the “keel boards,” were made from sound and
substantial 6' x 3' American Elm. The keel boards were not part of the boat, but served as
a base upon which the keel rested as the boat was constructed. In beginning construction,
the keel boards were first tied to good, heavy foundation blocks, anchored in the ground
and prevented from movement by piles or stakes. The blocks were arranged at short
intervals under the keel boards to prevent hogging or sagging.
The keel was in one length and selected from wood that was straight in the
grain, as objectionable knots and swirls were carefully avoided. The keel was placed on
the keel boards and kept perfectly straight in a fore-and-aft direction by driving in
wedges between the keel and cleats attached to the keel boards . . . (continued) |
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Boat equipment - The type of
equipment stowed within a lifeboat was determined by the class of vessel. Kept within the
boats were some of the gear and provisions required such as oars, sails and masts, water
etc. Oil lamps, biscuits, and compasses were stored on the ship “in some convenient
place” ready for use as required. However, due to the circumstances of confusion and
excitement at the time of sinking, many of the lifeboats were launched without these
provisions. It must be remembered that there were no ship-wide lifeboat drills for the
crew in 1912, nor was there any means by which the Bridge could communicate with the crews
at the individual boats short of detailing someone to go to each boat to relay
instructions.
Oil lamps for the main boats were brought out by the ship’s Lamp Trimmer
after a number of them had already been launched. These lamps were rectangular in shape,
about 10 inches high, 6 inches square . . (continued) |
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| The Welin Quadrant davit - Titanic
was fitted with 16 sets of double-acting quadrant davits manufactured by the Welin Davit
and Engineering Co., London. The Welin davits had long cast-steel arms intended to carry a
boat well over the side of the ship; these could also accommodated the stowing of
lifeboats one on top the other, and/or inboard of each other. Although this extra capacity
was not used on Titanic, it would be employed on Olympic later in her
career. The Welin davits allowed the lowering of boats from many different athwartship
positions, whether the boats were positioned directly between the davits or inboard of
them. The spacing between the davit arms equaled the distance between the forward and
after ends of each boat. The bases of the davit arms were cast in the shape of a quadrant
and fitted with teeth which engaged with a corresponding toothed casting at the base of
the davit frame. .
. (continued) |
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Other topics in this chapter: |
Dimensions and capacities - 25-foot emergency cutters - Englehardt
collapsibles - Measurements and capacities - Boat equipment - The Welin Quadrant davit -
Davit blocks and falls - Lifebuoys and lifebelts plus full technical details on boat
construction, including: Framing - Planking - Timbers - Internal fittings - Buoyancy air
cases - Thwarts (seats) - Gunwales - Side benches - Thwart knees - Rubbing plank - Tank
cleading - Rudder and steering arrangements - Life lines - Equipment lockers - Mast Step -
Plugs - Bottom boards, stern- and headsheets - Paint - Lifting hooks - Lowering gear -
Disengaging gear |
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