Carpathia Rescues Survivors

At 12:15 am (00:15) 15th April 1912 the radio operator of the RMS Carpathia picked up a distress signal from Titanic. The Carpathia had left New York on 12th April 1912 bound for the Mediterranean. Over the other side of the Atlantic, the RMS Titanic was leaving Queenstown (now Cobh) for New York.

RMS Carpathia

Titanic sends out distress signals

The RMS Carpathia was en-route to Fiume, a regular Cunard route between New York and the Austro-Hungarian port, for migrants going to and from America. The Carpathia had been built by Swan Hunter on the River Tyne, launched in 1901, making her maiden voyage in May 1903. The ship could carry 2,550 passengers, a work horse which would neither win the Blue Ribbond (fastest trans Atlantic crossing), nor carry rich millionaires.

RMS Carpathia

On receiving the distress signal, Carpathia's captain, Rostrom, ordered Carpathia to alter course towards the Titanic 93 km (58 miles) north west. It would take four hours for Carpathia to reach Titanic. Carpathia's top speed was 14 knots (16 mph - 26 kmh). Captain Rostrom ordered the ships heating and hot water turned off to ensure maximum power to the engines.  This allowed Carpathia to reach a speed of 17 knots. As the Carpathia headed for Titanic, Rostrom made preparations to receive survivors.

Carpathia reached the edge of the icefield in  just over 2 hours at 2:25 am (02:25). Carpathia  would not reach Titanic's position, till 4:00 am (04:00).  There was no sign of the stricken ship, however a signal flare from one of Titanic's lifeboats was spotted.

Carpathia spots signal flare from one of Titanic's lifeboats

Titanic lifeboats approach the Carpathia

Titanic lifeboats approach the Carpathia

The first lifeboat found was no 12, the survivors boarded the Carpathia at 4:00 pm (04:00).

Carpathia rescues survivors

The Carpathia rescued 712 people, the last survivors from boat 12  coming on board at 7:30 am (07:30).

Titanic lifeboat no 6 approaches Carpathia

 

Lifeboat 14 and D approaching Carpathia, 15th April 1912.

 

 Collapsible lifeboat approaches Titanic

Titanic survivors boarding Carpathia

Captain Rostrom set sail for New York from where Carpathia had left 3 days earlier. The closest port was Halifax, Nova Scotia, but that meant sailing through the icefields. Carpathia set sail for New York.

Titanic Survivors on board Titanic

Titanic Survivors on board Titanic

Titanic Survivors on board Titanic with lifeboats

 

Carpathia New York bound

New York - Carpathia arrives with Titanic Survivors

On the evening of 18th April 1912 the RMS Carpathia arrived in New York with 705 survivors from the Titanic.

 

New York Harbour 2019
Liberty Island and Ellis Island in the background

 

New York Harbour 2019
Statue of Liberty
 

New York Harbour 2019
Ellis Island

RMS Carpathia entering New York

The Carpathia on entering New York harbour headed up the Hudson River towards Chelsea  Piers, where ultimately she would dock at Pier 54.

Chelsea Piers

New York Harbour 2019
Hudson River and Manhattan

New York Harbour 2019
River Hudson

RMS Carpathia New York

 

New York - Pier 59

On the evening of the 18th April 1912 the RMS Carpathia entered New York Harbour, heading up the Hudson River to Chelsea Piers. The Carpathia would eventually dock at Cunard's Pier 54 to disembark the survivors of the Titanic. She would however go to the White Star's Pier 59 to drop of the Titanic's lifeboats.

White Star line's first thought was to get their lifeboats back !. They would be the only part of the Titanic that would reach New York.

White Star Line Pier 59 New York
RMS Olympic docked at Pier 59

The International Mercantile Marine Company, White Star Line's owners, operated from Chelsea Piers which were opened in 1907. The White Star Line piers were 59 and 60, other IMM lines using the other piers. Additional construction was required to lengthen the White Star piers in order to accommodate the Olympic Class liners.







New York 2019
Pier 59



New York 2019
Pier 59

New York Pier 59
Carpathia drops of Titanic's Lifeboats
 

New York Pier 59
Carpathia drops of Titanic's Lifeboats

Titanic's Lifeboats Pier 59

Titanic's Lifeboats Pier 59

Titanic's Lifeboats Pier 59