The journey which began at noon hour on April 10, 1912, was finally drawing to a close as the Carpathia slowly worked her way to the side of Pier 54 in New York harbor. It was now Thursday evening, April the 18th, at 9:30. Twenty-two hundred and twenty-three people had excitedly started the journey of a lifetime which was now ending as a never-to-be-forgotten nightmare. Only seven hundred and five were arriving safely in New York City. An iceberg and the cold Atlantic had claimed more than fifteen hundred who were aboard the largest, fastest and most glamorous ship yet to be built.
Much to the annoyance of the families of the survivors and the New York press, no news had been received from the Carpathia as she sailed westward. Captain Rostron had chosen to keep his wireless free for emergency messages only. But now the truth of the Titanic’s tragedy would soon be known. Thousands had waited from early morning to welcome loved ones. Others had come hoping that what they feared was not true and that their family members would be aboard the rescue ship.
The first to disembark were the surviving members of the Titanic’s first-class passengers. Despair was written on every face. Carefully descending the gangway and into the well-lit reception area were Mrs. J. B. Thayer and her seventeen-year-old son. When asked for her comments by an overzealous reporter, she replied, “It was the most awful thing that anyone could conceive.”
Most of the passengers were able to walk down the gangway, but some were carried. Among the latter group was Harold Bride, the twenty-one-year-old Second Wireless Operator. He, with Chief Operator Jack Phillips, had valiantly stayed at their posts sending out distress calls until the cold sea water had invaded the wireless room. When Bride had been able to leave the Titanic and was in the sea, he climbed on top of the overturned Collapsible B with several others. During the hours of exposure to the near-freezing water and the night breeze, his feet were frozen, and it was now necessary for two strong men to carry him from ship to shore.
As more and more disembarked, the excitement rose and shrieks of delight were heard as loved ones were spotted in the growing crowd. All, however, did not experience the thrill of greeting family or friends. Small groups here and there sobbed when dear ones failed to appear and hopes of seeing them again were dashed forever.
For days since the tragedy had been announced to a disbelieving world, newsboys had cried, “Extra, Extra” and sold bits of unreliable news. Large posters at the newsstands announced, “TITANIC DISASTER. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.” Newspapers of the day carried what little news there was available and when it was in short supply, they made up their own stories. The day following the sinking, the New York Times published what it described as a “Partial List of the Saved.” Eventually on May 12, 1912, the White Star’s final list of “Saved and Lost” was issued. Its publication was so final. Those saved numbered 720 and the Lost 1503. None of the lost ever expected to appear on such a list. Sadly, many who begin the journey of life never expect to be lost for eternity. Think about it. You and I began life’s journey the moment we were born, and it is a journey that will eventually be terminated with our arrival at one of two destinations, either heaven or hell. In the case of the Titanic’s passengers, those who failed to arrive in New York didn’t because of a bad decision and the rejection of numerous warnings. During our journey of life, the way of salvation and the way to heaven have been learned. When salvation’s message is believed, that all have sinned (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)) and that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)), we become possessors of eternal life.
Our safe arrival in heaven is assured. But if we reject the message, as the warnings to the Titanic were rejected, we make the wrong decision and will be lost forever.
The list of the Saved and the Lost issued by the White Star Line was unalterable. There was no in between position or possibility of moving from the List of the Lost to the List of the Saved. The finality of God’s list of the Saved and the Lost is also unalterable. Speaking of those two categories of people, Jesus said in John’s gospel, chapter three and verse thirty-six, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” As you read of those who journeyed on the Titanic, I pray you will apply these thoughts to your journey through life. Realizing you are lost to God, and that if you continue that way you will be lost for eternity, decide now to trust the only One who can save and assure you of a safe arrival in heaven when your journey of life is over. The Apostle Peter said in Acts 4 and verse twelve, “Neither is there salvation in any other (than the Lord Jesus Christ).”
Eva Hart was only seven years old when she walked down the gangway with her mother that rainy night of April 18, 1912. They had left a husband and father on the Titanic. It seemed only wise to return to England as soon as possible, and they did. In later life and after a successful career in Social Work, Eva Hart emphatically said, “A long time has gone by since the sinking and many things have happened in the world, but I do feel that the 1,500 people who died that night must remain in our memories as a perfect example of man’s arrogance. And this will go on...people will think they have invented something more perfect...like a ship that wouldn’t sink. We’ve got to be reminded that is not so—and I think the Titanic will always be the biggest reminder of all.”
As an adult, Eva Hart knew human nature and spoke of “man’s arrogance.” Mankind is still arrogant when it comes to accepting God’s simple plan of free and everlasting salvation. Men would sooner attempt to gain heaven on their own merits and adhering to their own foundationless philosophy than believing on the Lord Jesus Christ who came from heaven and wants to take repentant sinners there, as He said in John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6): “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
Many were the never-to-be-forgotten dramas that would unfold on Pier 54 that wet night, and they would happen to those in every stratum of society. The wealthy Mrs. John Jacob Astor who, like Mrs. Hart, had said good-bye to her husband on the sloping deck of the doomed vessel, was met by Vincent Astor with two cars and two doctors. Mrs. Widener was met by a train, as was Mrs. Charles Hays. However, many of the steerage class were far less fortunate. Many were immigrants arriving in the United States for the first time. They had no family members in the crowd of 30,000 to meet them. Fortunately, the authorities had thought of these unknown and unnamed arrivals who had been given third class treatment as the Titanic sank. In the reception area, and clearly identified, were members of various nationality groups. Many of the arrivals had arrived with some of their families missing, but much to their surprise they were spoken to in their own language, given a welcome, some clothes and a place to stay.
Sadly, at the end of life’s journey all families will not be complete. I pray that when that day arrives all members in your family will be together to enjoy eternity. In retrospect, space was available in the 16 lifeboats, but some of the lost had been denied entry. Thankfully, none are denied entry into heaven, if they are prepared to come God’s way. For Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
To this day, the disposal of the Titanic’s boats remains an unsolved mystery. They were left by the Carpathia at the White Star Lines Pier before she docked at Pier 54, but their final disposition will likely never be known. It has been assumed that they found their way on to the decks of other White Star liners, as they had only been used once and in some cases not even filled.
At Pier 54 a variety of emotions was evident as loved ones were greeted by family members with cries of joy and others sobbed out their grief for those who had been claimed by the Titanic and the Atlantic.
Shock waves from the Titanic disaster were far reaching, as they touched every level of society, from the world’s leading business tycoons to the unknown man on the street.
In a fitting cablegram to President Taft, King George of Great Britain stated: “The Queen and I are anxious to assure you and the American nation of the sorrow which we experienced at the terrible loss of life that occurred among the American citizens, as well as my own subjects, by the foundering of the Titanic. Our two countries are so intimately allied by the ties of brotherhood that any misfortunes which affect the one must affect the other, and on the present terrible occasion they are both equal sufferers.”
“George R. and I.”
President Taft’s reply read:
“In the presence of the appalling disaster of the Titanic, the people of the two countries are brought into a community of grief through common bereavement. The American people share in the sorrow of their kinsmen beyond the sea. On behalf of my countrymen, I thank you for your sympathetic message.”
“William H. Taft.”