"I Was There - The Sinking of the Titanic" by Commander Lightoller (BBC, 1936)

"I Was There - The Sinking of the Titanic" is a radio broadcast by Titanic's senior surviving officer, Charles Herbert Lightoller, heard on the BBC in 1936.
24 years after the sinking of the Titanic, Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller recounted his experiences for a 1936 BBC broadcast, allowing us to hear him describe his experience in his own words.
For a full transcript check here: www.titanicofficers.com/articl...
For more information on Second Officer Lightoller check here: www.titanicofficers.com/titani...

[@TitanicsOfficers]

Before commenting.... 1. *If you are going to ask why he didn't mention the breakup/split.* The answer is that he jumped *forward* of the ship i.e. in front of it and so was not in an ideal position to view a split. He was then atop an upturned lifeboat and the low angle in the water and the forward angle to ship means he was in a most unlikely position to observe the breakup especially as it no doubt split apart with much less drama than a James Cameron film. Many in 1912 thought rumours of a split were more tabloid anti-British "bad" press so Lightoller logically assumed - as he didn't see it due to his position - that it didn't happen. You cannot blame him for this. 2. *If you are going to say that his accent sounds fake.* No, it doesn't. He was originally from Lancashire and did not have the "plummy" (i.e. upper-class) accent as portrayed by Kenneth More in the 1958 film "A Night to Remember". You can hear another broadcast, 14 years later, in which he has the very same accent: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6u1lqF_nMiDmJY 3. *If you are going to call Lightoller a "murderer"* then please look up the definition of "murder". He certainly mismanaged the port side evacuation which resulted in a larger loss of life, but his motive was correct: trying to save people. You can not label someone a "murderer" when they are saving lives. He saved hundreds of lives and remained until the end in his attempt to launch lifeboats. He expected to die and it was only through finding sanctuary on upturned collapsible lifeboat B that he was not another death statistic. 4. *Lightoller was not a "war criminal".* To be a "war criminal" you have to be sentenced as such. Actually, Lightoller's actions during World War One were investigated and he was cleared.

[@louisskulnik7390]

One of the "flatter" British accents. I would have taken him for someone from Maine or Vermont.

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

When you say officers abandoned ship it implies they somehow left people to die in order to save their own skin, which I don’t believe is your intention but for those of whom are not as familiar with the sinking’s events might draw that conclusion. Third Officer Pitman was ordered by his superior (First Officer Murdoch) to take charge of lifeboat #5 after he assisted with loading loading it with Murdoch and Bruce Ismay as it was loaded primarily with women and children and at the time he was still confident the ship would remain afloat. Fourth officer Boxhall was placed in charge of lifeboat #2 by Captain Smith. Fifth Officer Lowe is the only officer who’s conduct in retrospect was over the top by firing his pistol and threatening to shoot them “like dogs” but at this point in time the situation on the ship was becoming more precarious as passengers were beginning to panic as Titanic was well down in the water. In hindsight Lowe could’ve allowed 7 males into the lifeboat (capacity of 65 people but launched with 58) but I put that down to a misinterpretation of the orders of “women and children first”. I agree with the sentiment that Lightoller wasn’t a murderer as he did act bravely and it was his skill and calm demeanour during the sinking and when he took command of the upturned Collapsible Boat B and as the air pocket underneath diminished and the boat sunk lower he organised the men on the hull to stand in two parallel rows on either side of the centreline, facing the bow, and got them to sway in unison to counteract the rocking motion caused by the swell. They were directly exposed to the freezing seawater, first up to their feet, then to their ankles and finally to their knees as the boat subsided in the water. I can’t imagine the fortitude it must’ve taken to have first endured the traumatic events of the evacuation and sinking, then to go down with the ship in freezing waters only to somehow miraculously survive and then to spend all night ankle deep in freezing waters with people all around you calling out for help in the dark in eerily still waters. The man was no murderer but certainly was very courageous.

[@johngolombek61]

Cheers sir, you also went to Dunkirk to get the BEF.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

@@Dan_Ben_Michael Thank you for your balanced appraisal. I completely agree.

[@lordmarshal3799]

That is a really good point, he did mismanaged the evacuation by letting women and children only but that does not make him a murderer. He's trying to save people no matter what you say, trying to save people is not at all an act of murder. Those who says he is a hypocrite by surviving, he certainly did not expect to survive nor trying to make attempts of survival. And do Americans really think we Brits all speak with RP?

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

Chilling listening to an actual witness and officer that was aboard the Titanic that fateful night.

[@Elizadoolittle1948]

I love how eloquently people of that time used the English language to tell stories.

[@musickfreek]

And they had that distinct way of speaking that is characteristic of the early 20th century.

[@mrh9635]

It was the 1st world war then the 2nd which helped make good manners go out of style.

[@big_gooch1601]

Yes, it’s a real shame. No it’s all wagwan yea and other utter jibberish garbage.

[@emmalyons-jw6ct]

How most semi-educated working class spoke in the UK at that time

[@autumnrryan8453]

It’s amazing to actually hear his voice. He was an eloquent speaker.

[@shannon3944]

And countless future generations will be able to hear his voice, forever...💯❤

[@shannon3944]

@Shirley Bailey ❤👍💯

[@TheBigcoll]

@@lusitaniamoreimportantthan6814 that comment makes you look like a bellend, so people wont respect you enough to look at your channel, educate people on what knowledge you may have to share, not insult their views of somthing/sombody if you seriously want to recruit people to your channel.

[@lusitaniamoreimportantthan6814]

@@TheBigcoll I spoke the truth. This man is no Ronald Colman or William Powell. Now my channel offers truth. Big truth. Bye fool.

[@Sinatra1915]

I agree

[@adlwilliams]

His description of the green water creeping up the stairway really put me there

[@pho3nix-]

Why was the water green?

[@andyfoxy3140]

@@pho3nix- Global warming

[@Zebred2001]

My father who was born in 1915 met Commander Lightoller some time in the 1930's. His father (my Grandfather) took him to St. Albans to buy a mastiff dog from the Commander. I don't believe they discussed the sinking though. This past July (2019) I was in Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia and saw the Titanic graves. Very sobering.

[@basileok2222]

You do not have an answer to a simple question. What are the errors in my comment. The team that found the wreck of the Titanic is the one that discovered the holes and no rupture caused by the iceberg. How do you contradict them? Movies are made so that the lie told many times becomes true.

[@grapefruitjuice9473]

God how old are you

[@luciehanson6250]

@@basileok2222 Why so attack a fellow human? To my observation, your deliema is your own. Own it.

[@billygunner2697]

my great grandfather was actually there when the titanic sank. he shouted 3x that it would sink but nobody listened. when he shouted the 4th time he was kicked out of the movie theater.

[@pixelmentia]

Hahaha

[@Dibbles2005]

@Halo Jripp U rlly didn't get the joke

[@robertarnold7187]

LOL Can I have your permission to use that? hahaha

[@Will-rr1uz]

Your great grandfather was a brave man to try and warn the other theater goers of this tragedy. May he RIP and be remembered as the hero that he was.

[@robertarnold7187]

That theater story was the funniest thing I've seen on KZbin in awhile. Thanks for the laugh.

[@mandersj]

This man was hard as nails. 2 shipwrecks, World War One and then voluntarily sailing into Dunkirk when he could have been enjoying his retirement at home

[@Glendal1988]

mandersj and a compulsive liar.

[@mandersj]

You’ve got my attention, how so?

[@Glendal1988]

mandersj the guy claimed a load of bull at the inquests. He said that the ship did not break apart. He said that he filled his boats full and said that he survived in the water for an hour before getting onto the lifeboat. All of which is crap of course. The guy protected J Bruce Ismay and that in itself is a criminal act. None of his evidence would of stood up in court. It was all fabrication. Total liar and a huge insult to the poor 1500 souls that night.

[@syedahmed2746]

Glendal1988 what could be his motive of saying that ship didn’t break

[@anaranjadisimo]

yeah man, imagine having to manage a fucking boat sinking knowing that half of the people are going to die, i wouldnt want to be in that position.

[@michiganman9599]

And Captain Smith; not one vital disaster in 40 years at sea, and it’s his RETIREMENT cruise, of all times, that strikes him down; absolutely soul-crushing

[@snowwhitedopeydisney4396]

Absolutely... makes it even more tragic and heartbreaking 😥😥

[@snowwhitedopeydisney4396]

One thing I'll never understand why did he listen to Ismay and go top speed? I realize they wanted to break a record and surprise everyone by arriving a little early but Smith is the captain of the ship he's the one who makes all the decisions so I don't understand why he went against is better judgment because you can see it in his facial expression and his eyes that he knew that wasn't really the right thing to do and had they not done that the ship may have actually survive and that would have been wonderful for him as his last voyage or his retirement

[@Rosinamo5058]

This is such important part of history. To hear his voice is amazing

[@MikeLikesChannel]

This guy had an insane life. Titanic. Wars. Lost his two younger siblings to scarlet fever. Lost his youngest and oldest sons in WWII, just after this interview. Brutal.

[@cloverboy1351]

Lightoller's life was really interesting. Atleast he's with his family now in the afterlife.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

@@cloverboy1351 Afterlife. lol 🙄

[@zeekjackson2483]

I'm beyond honored to be able to say that I'm related to this legend. He's my great great grandfather on my mother's side and serendipitously, I was born on his birthday. They truly don't make em like they used to...genuinely a phenomenal inspiration. ❤

[@zeekjackson2483]

If there's any Lightollers out there that see this, please, let's connect and talk... I know yall are out there and it'd be so incredible to see where we've all ended up and how diverse this family is. Also would love to share any ancestral information.

[@POPE_FRANC1S]

He was my grandfathers neighbour

[@Americangirl1991]

It's amazing to hear his voice. I wish we could hear Murdoch and some of the other crew.

[@Torentino_Ian_no_channel_2006]

You can hear Joseph Boxhall's Voice

[@roby-ig4iz]

I've looked at the comments and so many people have pointed out some things that were incorrect. This was recorded 24 years after the disaster, one cannot remember every single little detail after so much has past by. And besides, Lightoller did not nor could of seen every single little thing that happened. So please, stop attacking this video. And thank you to the uploader for uploading this, this is in amazing quality.

[@gazza2933]

Very true but amazing to hear the voice of someone who was actually on the ship. Particularly an officer.

[@jsmithmultimediatech]

@Stella Jones He also had an amazing sense of humour Lightoller did bless him haha, cant remember if was WW1 or 2 when on the way back the people on a boat said when working out or he'd told them was 2nd Officer on the Titanic they said to him "better get off before you sink this thing" they all laughed lol (or words to that effect)

[@matrox]

Attack!!! Attack!!! Attack!!!

[@robertarnold7187]

He doesn't seem to have any difficulty remembering or bragging about his own heroics.

[@robertarnold7187]

I personally have my doubts that even after 24 years you would forget anything from an experience such as the sinking of the Titanic. Just my 2cnts.

[@MrCarsdude]

Amazing! To hear the voice of Charles lightoller.

[@TheBrister]

I'm blown away that this is available. To tears really.

[@MrCarsdude]

@@TheBrister me too

[@Lisa1111]

A natural narrator of his own story ❤️

[@autumnrryan8453]

Hearing his voice makes me wish I could hear some of the other crew. Wish I could hear William Murdoch and Captain Smith.

[@ABCDEF-yf4yu]

Boxhall was the fourth officer who in 1962 talks about the 50th anniversary the disaster, he came from Hull and died in 1967. Pitman was the third officer from rural Somerset, and Lowe the fifth officer from Barmouth, Wales. Chief, first and sixth officers Wilde, Murdoch and Moody were lost. Pitman and Boxhall appeared to be weak and unable to handle the tragedy and put in charge of lifeboats 5 and 2 at an early stage.

[@warpedspeed8930]

Quite stirring to listen to that man talk. He tells his tale with a sort of poetic stoicism. To live through that...good grief.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

I find it disturbing there are those that are comfortably sitting at room temperature, not immersed in freezing cold weather or water, and dry, condemning an individual operating in a monumentally chaotic situation, who by chance, happened to survive.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

Completely agree.

[@MrDaiseymay]

NOBODY, could survive for more than 3 minutes in minus 3 degrees of water. Lightoller claimed he was in the freezing sea for 30 minutes, and stood on a upturned Lifeboat for 2 hours. soaking wet, which would have become ice anyway. His testimony in bother inquiries, was never questioned. For two of his claimed sightings, he was still in his cabin.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

@@MrDaiseymay I doubt a lot of Lightoller's accounts, but then again I question everything! So I must question you too.... So you state - "NOBODY, could survive for more than 3 minutes in minus 3 degrees of water." Where's the evidence that specifically states this? There were quite a few pulled out from the water that night who survived. We also have the testimony of those who discovered collapsible A and B, and were aboard them, so we know that Lightoller was indeed atop upturned collapsible B for some time. "For two of his claimed sightings, he was still in his cabin." - What are these?

[@robertarnold7187]

I'm not condemning him. He is nit speaking the truth in this story. Do you believe that he did not witness the ship split from the water because he had jumped forward if the ship? He didn't see that huge ship up in the air and split? Seriously?

[@robertarnold7187]

@@MrDaiseymay he also somehow despite being in the water did not see that monster of a ship up in the air and splitting in two? I call bullshit! He was covering up for White Star and looking for future and better opportunities with them.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Standing ina train station in central Europe, it is 2022. The words of a man long gone riveted me. Stunning.

[@razorsharpbt124]

Man, what an account! It struck me as so eerie when he mentioned the ship's lights extinguishing, but they could still see the dark form of her stern blocking the stars. What a haunting and surreal experience that must have been!

[@madisondean1074]

To actually hear the voice of the Charles Lightoller is nothing short of amazing. I've never heard a single recording of his voice up until now. I've only ever seen photos of him. But to have a voice to match with his photo makes it feel all the more sweet.

[@user-ur6vb8nd8t]

Очень приятный голос Чарльза.И как у нас в России говорят:"Вечная память ему и Царствие Небесное".

[@madisondean1074]

@@user-ur6vb8nd8t I just translated when you said, as I cannot understand Russian. But your words are the most accurate ones I've ever heard.

[@user-ur6vb8nd8t]

Charles has a very pleasant voice.I really liked it.And we sey in Russia:"Eternal memory to you Charles sleep well".I will not forget Light.

[@user-ur6vb8nd8t]

I just started learning English and while writing comments in Russian.Sorry.

[@madisondean1074]

@@user-ur6vb8nd8t That's okay! As long as I'm able to translate it, you're good.

[@scottread]

It was understandable that Lightoller mistook what we now know as the sound of the Titanic breaking in two, for boilers leaving their beds and crashing through the hull.

[@Hello61Jello]

It’s crazy how the movie Titanic has actors that look like the real historical figures

[@planetpompom]

I don't know why it blows my mind so much to hear a key figure of the disaster recounting it in his own words, his actual voice, that I'm listening to in my house in 2021, but it does! Very cool.

[@jake8855]

It shouldn't blow your mind. The last survivor only died in 2009. There was recording equipment around at the time the ship sunk.

[@daphneduryea9136]

Here's Boxhall on the BBC. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHXEnYqci8-BfJo

[@MsGaella]

What a brave and dignified man. he tells his story with absolute skill. I am so grateful for this recording. Rest his soul.

[@thegatekeeper715]

A voice from history putting reality and context into one of the biggest maritime disasters. Thank you.

[@laracroft3718]

This Commander survived four shipwrecks including the Titanic. Amazing !

[@matrox]

When I heard that I was thinking...who TF is operating these ships.

[@decayedcake1245]

he must be like "oh here we go again" when his ship sinks lol

[@jeffveraart2695]

Watching the eyewitness account of Eva Hart who was 7 at the time, she said she saw the Titanic break into two. She was very adamant about that even when people were saying she was wrong. She was vindicated when the The Titanic was discovered by Robert Ballard.

[@57Jimmy]

Wow! This is the first time I have heard this, and I am 65! Thank you so much!🇨🇦

[@danuk2136]

"like a millpond ..not a breath of wind" .. I love that James cameron took so much original stuff in the film

[@Arnold.J.Rimmer]

Shame he slandered Lightoller for no reason.

[@danuk2136]

@@Arnold.J.Rimmer I didn't hear that bit

[@chasd2756]

When he speaks of the boilers breaking away and the lights going out is when the ship broke in half and just maybe he didn’t realize what he was seeing..may they all rip

[@TitanicsOfficers]

This is a good point - misinterpretation of what he saw based on his belief the ship did not (or would not) split. Lightoller and others perhaps perceived the reports of the ship 'splitting' as simply negative tabloid exaggeration, which is why they stood fast with the 'ship did not split' statement, even when they perhaps saw possible evidence with their own eyes.

[@chrisd3969]

Yeah at that moment he was probably more Bush trying to survive rather then paying attention to how the titanic was thinking. Plus with the lights going on and the titanic going dark I would imagine it would be very hard to notice what the ship was doing especially since he was pushed out pretty for in the sea but the funnel.

[@Weebledude]

@@TitanicsOfficers it would have been even worse for White Star Line at the time if it was widely accepted that the ship broke in half. It was already problematic that the Titanic disaster happened but they also had another ship exactly like Titanic sailing at the time too (Olympic) with another being built (Britannic). Would have been horrible press for White Star if it got out that not only did the ship sink, she fell apart as she sank.

[@robertarnold7187]

At least one of the large boilers was not even in use. They thought it looked better so it was added.

[@nothingandmore]

The roaring sound he described as boilers breaking through the bulkheads was actually the sound of the ship breaking in two. Most didn’t see it cause it was pitch black.

[@eveniftheydo7794]

He said you could still easily see the outline of the ship

[@joyleenpoortier7496]

It still gives me chills. So many what if's. RIP to them all.

[@broke_runner6953]

Great listening to his account in person. R.I.P. Remembered 109 years on.

[@abcdef-cs1jj]

*rest in hell where war criminals belong.

[@claymaker9794]

@@abcdef-cs1jj Lightoller wasn't sentenced as a war criminal

[@abcdef-cs1jj]

@@claymaker9794 Guilt doesn't depend on some guy that happens to be a judge. Epstein wasn't sentenced as a pedophile and a human trafficker. Stalin wasn't sentenced as a genocidal madman. Lightoller wasn't sentenced as a war criminal - but he was one.

[@claymaker9794]

@@abcdef-cs1jj All I can say is, read #4 in the pinned comment

[@abcdef-cs1jj]

@@claymaker9794 Yeah, what OP said there is obviously wrong. Being a criminal has little to do with being accused, cleared or sentenced to anything. It only depends on your own deeds: "Criminal - noun. A person who has committed a crime." > Oxford Dictionary. Lightoller committed a war crime so no matter what he or anybody else says about this - he is and remains a war criminal. (sidenote: Lightoller himself kinda admitted it ...)

[@dianarendon5845]

This interview is gold, and also sounds great and clear to be from 1936, plus it’s also very interesting to listen directly from someone who was a crew member and therefore dealt with it’s disaster firsthand, and played a very important role in the rescue. I’ve only seen and heard interviews of other titanic survivors, but that were only small children or babies at the time, unlike this interview, that gives you accounts of what happened directly from a crew member. Admirable, brave, dignified man who took his job seriously (like most crewmen), even in the face of disaster.

[@alisonrainbowz6861]

I didn't know it existed, have listened to other survivors interviews (in the last few days) but this gives a lot of detail, however they all help to explain what happened. To hear his voice, we can get a sense of the murky seas so cold and dense. Just what happened , thanks to all, of the dear souls who from heaven call.

[@nickshipway8199]

I had no idea they'd ever managed to record Commander Lightoller's voice! He was quite an amazing person. I thoroughly recommend his book "Titanic and Other Ships".

[@robertarnold7187]

Well I hope he's more truthful in the book than in this recording. He's either been threatened or paid off by the White Star Line to deflect negligence onto anyone other than the company or crew.

[@robertarnold7187]

If you read on into some of the comments and theories some do not believe the validity of this recording or that it is even Lightoller.

[@marigold6920]

@@robertarnold7187 No they would rather believe it is a voice from the Star Ship Enterprise!

[@charleigh195]

Still incredible to hear this story.Even more so to hear from a voice who actually saw and survived bless them all.

[@leeb8019]

How great to hear such detailed account from an officer who was there; and so eloquently described. Thank you for posting.

[@imtheeternalscholar]

Thankyou, dear Sir for your service to Titanic. I am grateful to you for your personal story of what happened that day. It must have been terrifying for everyone who lived through that night. God bless you and thankyou.

[@marcothorsen950]

He's dead 🤣

[@kaeso101]

I found it somewhat interesting how prior to its discovery in the 1980s..the Titanic for a time had this near mythical status and was considered the holy grail of shipwrecks.

[@drstrangelove4998]

An extraordinary recording.

[@aaroncrilly2005]

And later, after recording this interview, this guy sailed to Dunkirk to save lives, badass

[@VolleyballExplained]

With a yacht for 21 persons, he rescued more than hundred lives.

[@jasonlockhartsr4415]

In his own personal yacht. Lights was one hell of a sailor.

[@VolleyballExplained]

@@jasonlockhartsr4415 I had the book of Stenson on my shelf. He is also the prototype of Dawson in Nolan's "Dunkirk".

[@michaelmckinnon1591]

It was actually recorded towards the end of his life, the recording was actually done in the 1950s (1955 if memory serves me correctly)

[@lesliekauffeldt3942]

Just seen a program that showed that Lightoller spied for the British Navy just before WW2 and also used his own little ship to save solders at Dunkirk an extraordinary individual

[@dormantrabbits]

Shit always goes down on the night shift

[@82566]

Or a major holiday w no one in the office 😕

[@cloverboy1351]

Ight that was a good one.

[@MitchPR08]

It is so cool to be able to hear his voice and listen to his experience!

[@paulkerswell3229]

What an amazing life he led….he also built his own yatch and rescued over 120 British soldiers in Dunkirk

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

I'm really glad we're able to sit here today(from the comfort of my own home) and listen to these recordings. Amazing!

[@Hoosier_Daddy69]

True but this recording In particular is a crock of $hit, fulled with lies, lightoller twists the truth, the majority of the things said in this interview have been proven to be untrue.

[@olderola5308]

I wrote an article abt this guy. He survived WW1, Dunkirk, The rest of WW2, and died in 1952.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

My late next door neighbour was rescued out of Dunkirk by Lightoller in his Small Boat.

[@garyhillman4993]

My neighbour showed me her boarding pass for the titanic. She had a job as a hairdresser on the ship ! She didn’t go as she was poorly. Was 1973/4 I was 12 years old she was 80+ then. She had a lucky escape obviously but says the whole of England was in shock. It was the biggest greatest ocean liner ever to be built , Gary from Leeds UK

[@robbiethepict2783]

Charles Herbert Lightoller also volunteered and sailed his yacht to Dunkirk to evacuate 127 British servicemen.

[@paulgrogan8032]

The true character of people who lived in that Generation was never more apparent than that awful night. I cant help thinking it would be every man for himself from the onset in todays world. R.I.P. THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA'S🙏♥️

[@teddybirmingham7608]

People are people no matter what era they live in.

[@penyarol83]

@@teddybirmingham7608 not really

[@teddybirmingham7608]

@@penyarol83 What are they then?

[@conors4430]

Way to romanticise something that existed in the world that never existed. This is literally the same man that a couple of years later executed unarmed German sailors he had captured when they had surrendered to his ship. So, a little less of this quote it was so much more honourable back in the good old days crap

[@paulgrogan8032]

@@conors4430 thats what makes us all separate individual's. We all have our own opinions we derive by personal experience. I spent several years at sea on a ship of war, where did you get yours?

[@cbcdesign001]

He must have been a tough guy. He jumped into the freezing water, was pulled into a lifeboat but would have been soaking wet and freezing cold anyway yet survived.

[@missscarling]

Wow, you could listen to him speak for hours, I'm sure he had lots of interesting stories as well as this one, thanks for sharing 😊

[@josephayers7395]

This clip is historical gold. It's evidence from the lone surviving senior officer of the Titanic disaster.

[@RunOfTheHind]

He took his small boat across the English channel during the Dunkirk rescue in WWII too. The Mark Rylance character in Nolan's Dunkirk is based on him. The boat he took is moored a few miles from me.

[@leonjones7120]

You may not know that Lightoller was born in the North West of England in a town called Chorley. His family ran a cotton mill that shut down around 2000.

[@hallmanager4911]

Eerie and unsettling to hear an actual witness talk of that night. Gripping to listen to.

[@josephmarrison4606]

Amazing to hear this from the 30s. What a tragedy it was.

[@weewooweewoo906]

it’s surprisingly very clear!

[@RobCLynch]

The fact that Lightoller survived takes on a further irony, for he was involved in the Dunkirk beach evacuation in the early part of World War 2. I'm not sure how many men he saved, but he did save some - but only because he survived the Titanic disaster.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

He saved about 130 in his boat the Sundowner.

[@paulanthony5274]

130 still doesn't make up for what he did. He let lifeboats go half full he should have been hanged

[@TitanicsOfficers]

@@paulanthony5274 "Hanged"?! Someone who was trying to save lives? Yes, he made mistakes but his motive was clear. I dearly hope you are not judged with the same severity you wish to judge others.

[@paulanthony5274]

@@TitanicsOfficers No I'm only kidding 😆😆

[@TitanicsOfficers]

@@paulanthony5274 I guess you believe a disaster with a huge loss of life and unfairly implicating a man as a murderer is good comedy material?

[@gmansard641]

Here's a great story. Just a few years after this broadcast Lightoller piloted one of the small craft for the Dunkirk evacuation. One rescued soldier panicked when he heard that their pilot had been aboard Titanic. Another soldier reminded him that Lightoller SURVIVED the Titanic, "he got through that disaster, he'll get us through this," and the panicky soldier calmed down.

[@Jerry-cc4nk]

That story earns a heart. For me it is ranked among the story of the soldiers within WW I stopping there fights as one started singing Silent Night and everyone started singing it in their own language and never wanted to start fighting again.

[@gmansard641]

@@Jerry-cc4nk Silent Night is a very translatable song. Originally German, it sounds good in English, French, and Polish (the languages I have sung it in)

[@maritimehistorian2642]

Yeah, the soldiers even joked he was going to sink the boat

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

This guy later participated in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 with his small private yacht, taking home so many soldiers the boat was nearly swamped, at one point taking evasive action from a German bomber

[@themightyspartan1012]

In the movie Dunkirk, one of old man character name Mr. Dawson is base of a real life person: Lightoller. What’s very interest to think same character in different era (Titanic sinking and ww2.) Such a rarity of film industry.

[@AF-vm6xx]

@@themightyspartan1012maybe a wink to that other fictional character, Jack Dawson.

[@Wife_Mother_Failure]

thankyou - i feel so dumb because i did not realise that this sort of thing would be on youtube. what an amazing wealth of information!

[@markcantemail8018]

Commander C, H Lightoller Was not done yet . June 1st 1940 He took his 58-foot Power Cruiser the Sundowner across the Channel to Dunkirk . Back at Ramsgate he offloaded 135 men . He was harried by the Luftwaffe on the way home but brought his "Little Ship " Home without a scratch . This Man had Skills .

[@conors4430]

Don’t forget the war crime execution of German sailors in World War I. Fair is fair and history is history

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@conors4430 what the hell has that got to do with the Titanic?

[@Aidankiwi]

@@conors4430 He was acquitted therefore no crime was committed.

[@abcdef-cs1jj]

@@Aidankiwi I struggle to not write anything that would offend you. I think you confuse reality with verdict. If you break a law and a judge says you didn't - you still did. If you didn't commit a crime but people believe you did and a court deems you guilty - you are still innocent.

[@abcdef-cs1jj]

@@anthonyeaton5153 As much as Lightollers actions in WWII.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

It’s rather sad to see a majority of these comments, criticizing the guy who saved many. He might not have done the nicest things during the sinking, but he was a genuine hero.

[@dins5066]

No he wasn't

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

@@dins5066 he saved many

[@dins5066]

@@SQUAREHEADSAM1912 yeah including himself

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

@@dins5066 you don’t have to be sarcastic

[@dins5066]

@@SQUAREHEADSAM1912 it's a fact nimrod

[@lacouerfairy]

I can't even imagine. So many of the survivors must have suffered from PTSD.

[@dianarendon5845]

To people that say that Lightoller spoke in a weird, stoic manner, and didn’t mention certain facts that were later known to the public, first off, when this interview happened, 20 something years had passed since the titanic tragedy, so I’m sure by then he had already peacefully came to terms with what happened and had gotten over any emotional trauma in relation to it. Second, don’t forget that this gentleman is from a completely different time period, where folks (especially men) behaved and carried themselves very differently, and in those days it was very frowned upon for men to show much emotion Third, way back then there was also a lot more censorship and control in the media to what info was let out to the public knowledge.

[@funkstrummer2151]

Years ago I met Millvina Dean who was a Titanic survivor.

[@starrsmith3810]

I think she was the very last one left when she died

[@marymartindale884]

Wow

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Who's here after the implosion

[@mosesokore6249]

😢😢😔😔😔

[@dannydevlin1893]

Meeee

[@quietprofessional3608]

Good Lord it’s like every Titanic documentary has some goof making this comment in it 😮

[@kira.1631]

Meee 😢

[@Lornes.Cawks.inflationOfficer]

​@@quietprofessional3608It's what 14yesr olds do

[@paulytwotanks]

Wow, that was very moving. I first learned of Lightoller's part when I read Robert Ballards book on the Titanic he wrote after discovering the wreck in 1985. Lightoller was a good officer who did his best under awful circumstances, despite what some ignorant people are saying on here. It is fascinating for me to hear his actual voice for the first time. I always thought he would talk upper class but he has a pronounced regional accent.

[@MrBenarm]

Lightoller’s legend goes well beyond the Titanic. Read his book, “ Titanic And Other Ships”. Some people just haven’t lived, especially his detractors.

[@kayrozell3620]

Well said - and necessary to mention - thank you;) 🌱

[@josephconsoli4128]

So well spoken. A very intelligent man. It was so wise to have this interview done and archived. The only surprising aspect is how he didn't mention the stern breaking away, upright itself and then go down. One can only suspect he was in intense distress and disbelief, which is perfectly understandable.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

The reason he didn't see it was because he was struggling to survive in freezing water at the time (unlike other survivors sitting in lifeboats) and was forward of the ship - so not at an angle to easily observe it. In addition to the fact that the 'split' was likely not as dramatic as cinema portrayals would have us believe. Also, he likely dismissed the 'split' claims as being more negative tabloid exaggeration i.e. anti-British rhetoric.

[@josephconsoli4128]

@@TitanicsOfficers Thank for explaining it. I agree. Many years ago my Grandmother told me of a relative who was migrating to America who, at first, was scheduled to go on the Titanic (steerage of course), but there was a last minute transfer to another ship. I wish I would've remembered who it was. A reason why the Titanic saga fascinates me and always will.

[@darrenoliver1760]

The White Star told its officers to lie about the breakup on the surface, during the enquiry into the sinking. Ti's was bad for business, transatlantic crossing.

[@adamwentz8518]

According to this he was on the collapsible and had a good view as the bow went down. It's likely the breakup happened at the time he says the boilers went out I always thought he lied at the inquiries but hearing him here I say he didn't see it or didn't know what he was seeing.

[@robertarnold7187]

@@adamwentz8518 I'm not being sarcastic when.i say you should give this audio story a second listen and also and more obvious that he did in fact see the split. If this man had managed to get to an overturned lifeboat I contend that he could not have been very far away from the ship nor could he have been I yhd water for very long. Jumping forward of the ship would still allow a good view of the ship splitting. Think of the sheer mass of yhe ship and I have a very difficult time accepting his story saying he couldn't see the break up do to jumping forward of the ship. How could he not see something that size? Secondly...consider the timeliness as far as when thd boats and passengers were placed into the lifeboats.....and how quickly he must have found the overturned lifeboat. He couldn't have swam that fast or far to get to the lifeboat....which would indicate he could see the split and as he has admitted different times he did cover-up for the company. Why would this suddenly be truthful when parts if it sound almost ridiculous. The time lines do not add up for his story to be accurate. Also..it was suggested that maybe he forgot derails as it was 20 some tears later.....well I've been in bad situations during my policing career...nothing such as this horrific tragedy...but I can recall every second of those situations and highly doubt I will ever forget them. Ask around...you don't forget details nor do you keep changing your story like lightoller has done so many times. Just my 2cnts. Take care.

[@TruthSeeker-rn1tm]

This is absolutely mind-boggling. It seems the fate of the Titanic and its hapless passengers was somehow written in the stars. A perfect storm of misfortune at every turn. I pray for each and every brave soul aboard.

[@planetpompom]

I've read his book and the inquiry transcripts and find him so fascinating, and it blows my mind to actually be able to hear his account in his own voice!

[@Onora619]

I feel so bad for him. He did his best with what he was given and was just tossed into horror after horror.

[@Firemarioflower]

He murdered many men wilfully while saving the lives of useless crewmen, as well as killing surrendering soldiers later in the Dunkirk evacuation. He also defended the White Star Line and lied to the help the British Inquiry in their cover-up. His most notorious lie that prevailed for decades was of course that the ship sank as a whole.

[@Doc_Fun]

​@@FiremarioflowerIt wasn't a "lie", it was an honest mistake corroborated by many other survivors. Turns out that a mostly black ship illuminated solely by starlight is sort of difficult to see properly, especially when you're primarily focused on survival. No one called Col. Gracie a liar despite his insistence on the subject.

[@Firemarioflower]

Have a look at this mate Victor Sunderland, a surving passenger, exposed Lightoller as a liar in the Cleveland Plain Dealer of 26 April 1912. He said: “A lifeboat, bottom side up and evidently one of those that overturned under its load floated up to the rail and we grabbed for it. We climbed upon it and drifted over the submerged part of the Titanic. We passed under the forward funnel and just as we were clear, it fell. At that minute, the Titanic broke in two just aft of amidships and the stern stood straight in the air. “Make for the stern. It looks like she will float,” Lightoller shouted, but just as he spoke, the stern plunged down. “ @@Doc_Fun

[@Doc_Fun]

​@@FiremarioflowerThe testimony of one survivor is hardly compelling evidence of intent to deceive. Some survivors said Captain Smith died on the bridge, some say they saw him asking to be helped onto a lifeboat, no one knows. My point being that the event was so chaotic that it is replete with conflicting reports. Besides, what did Lightoller even stand to gain by reporting that the ship sank in one piece? It wouldn't absolve him of any other accusations so what's the point?

[@Firemarioflower]

@@Doc_Fun He still tried to make his company look as best as possible, in hope they make him captain one day.

[@ABCDEF-yf4yu]

If only Lightoller was alive in 1985 when the wreck was discovered.

[@AussieGunzel]

He would've been over the moon I reckon

[@robertarnold7187]

He probably would have been locked up for false testimony. I'm sure some of his bullshit could have been proven false.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

13:00 the green water illuminated by lights slowly creeping up the stairs.. terrifying

[@cme98]

The green water a result of glacier algae common to lakes surrounding glaciers OR an indication of a sea filled with ice bergs one can assume, but nobody did.

[@p.oinonen6706]

4 shipwrecks, a fire, the RMS Titanic, and then ... Dunkirk. Mr. Lightoller led quite an eventful life.

[@agatematt]

A little less than four years later Charles Lightoller would have another brush with history. In June 1940 Lightoller, now retired, his oldest son (His youn, pilot, had been killed in France only weeks before), and a 16-year-old sea scout sailed his yacht The Sundowner across the English Channel and brought back 75 British soldiers from Dunkirk despite being strafed and bombed by German aircraft along the way.

[@Fishycheese99]

17:57 the emotion he conveys when he talks about those killed by the funnel give me chills.

[@wheelfan100]

This 1936 broadcast as far to the sinking of titanic 1912 as the movie titanic 1997 is to us in 2021 24 years

[@germaineboatwala-sidhva1079]

It's good he survived, because this was a tremendous narrative! What a story this was! His voice is powerful and his narration shows his clearheaded approach in such a night. He did his best to save people so I don't see him at all as a bad person nor his actions blameworthy. Under the circumstances they are praiseworthy.

[@Vickytori22]

Thank you so much for uploading this! It was amazing to hear his full account of what happened and hearing the sound of his voice. He was a hero. May everyone who died that night rest in peace. I can't begin to imagine how scary it must have been for them all xx

[@darklord7479]

A refuge from all the lighttoller hate.

[@jessiewilliams6561]

As I listened to him recalling the tragic events as they unfolded for him that night I was struck by the knowledge of how haunting it was and given that he is long gone too. A truly remarkable piece of history ,thankyou for giving us the opportunity to hear this.

[@LinkTardis]

We hear about him so much in the history books but to actually HEAR him....wow

[@thisizdub]

My goodness this is so descriptive..so vivid

[@jeg5gom]

17:40 "... I got mighty near the edge of things..." I just love a Brit's natural predilection towards precious understatement.

[@jw1343]

He was extremely lucky to have not been sucked back into the Titanic when the first funnel fell right next to him. The suction from that new opening would've been lethal.

[@mariacrumble-hulme8674]

Why would anyone criticise this man, he did the very best he could in a tragic situation, easy to judge when you have absolutely no idea what these people went through, those who criticise would be petrified in the same circumstances, God Bless all involved in the tragic ending of such a beautiful vessel 🕊🙏😇✝️💔

[@stevekonbass]

Wow! It's fantastic that these recordings were preserved.

[@Lentonist]

I think that though some from this amazing series were preserved others, tragically, were intentionally destroyed and only transcripts remain (e.g. Colour-Sergeant Bourne's account of the Battle of Rorke's Drift 1879).

[@hellokakeku]

How incredibly sad, incredibly poignant! His delivery of the tragedy is outstanding - his enunciation and choice of vocabulary could rival any educated thespian. RIP Titanic and all the Souls who perished.

[@donnix768]

My great grandfather Albert Horswill was crew who survived the wreck. He ended up in cutter lifeboat number one. He also worked on the RMS OCEANIC.

[@thedaily30]

Can’t say how much I appreciate this channel. Thank you for helping to share and preserve history.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

Boats lowered and assisted by Lightoller. 1:00am Boat 6 (23 on board) 1:10am Boat 8 (27 on board) 1:25am Boat 14 (40-56 on board including officer Lowe) 1:30am Boat 12 (42-58 on board) 1:50am Boat 4 (30 on board) 2:06am Boat D (22 on board) 2:16am *Collapsible B (21? Men Survivors including Lightoller)

[@jennb3387]

Thanks for making this available - what a piece of history, and a fascinating man. Lightoller comes across as incredibly stoical about the whole thing - I was interested in his experiences piloting the upturned collapsible while dealing with people dying around him and probably hypothermic himself, but seemed he didn't want to dwell on that in great detail, perhaps understandably. On the accent thing - his accent/intonation really reminds me of my maternal grandfather, also a Lancashire man, although agree with those who've said it's a bit difficult to place and perhaps influenced by his extensive travels and seafaring career.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

Thanks for your comment Jenn B. That is interesting about the accent being similar to your maternal grandfather.

[@freddyflint8309]

Thank you all for sharing this historical document. Greetings from the Baltic Sea / Germany.

[@Jukebocks]

The fact that he pauses to recount the year 1912 is incredible in and of itself. He's reaching back in his own memories and pulling the date from there.

[@friendlybear1118]

Oh, so that´s how it works 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Jukebocks]

@@friendlybear1118 Sounds daft the way I put it but you know what I mean! 😅

[@historianr4285]

The sinking of the RMS Titanic had only been 24 years ago by the time this interview was conducted! And now it has been 110 years

[@rachaelramos]

110 hun

[@smacdown22]

110 years (2022-1912)

[@historianr4285]

@@smacdown22 oh yes sorry my mistake

[@Krommer1000]

Fantastic. Both the commentary by Lightoller, and the images.

[@donnix768]

My great grandfather Albert Horswill worked for White Star Line, he was a crewman on the Titanic and Olympic. He ended up on lifeboat 1, infamously called the “money boat “ because it was said the he and 6 other crewmen were bribed by Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon to not return to the wreck to pick up passengers because his wife was worried the lifeboat would become swamped with people and sink. This was not true, it was merely a kind gesture by Cosmo Duff Gordon to compensate the men for lost wages. They were no longer paid the moment Titanic went under. They were all criticized for the rest of their lives.

[@Tylerboyd2001]

Don Nix if I’m correct, that would be lifeboat 1. It only carried a dozen or so when it can carry 40.

[@mr.balloffur]

You can blame Murdoch for that

[@charlesp31]

100+ years later, hearing this report makes that night very real. Many thanks for posting.

randy carey many people didn‘t knew it broke in half. Only when we discoverd the wreckedge it was clear.

[@rebeccasjodal9769]

So ironic that Californian was the closest ship and could have saved so many lives😢 But the radio operator had shut down and gone to bed right before the signals for help started to go out. They had tried to warn Titanic, but they prioritised the messages from the passengers instead

[@Caveman76.]

Yes 💯 I can't remember the radio operators name but apparently he yelled at the other operator, stating that he was overwhelmed with msgs. Apparently he yelled, and sent a msg Y.A.A.F. YOU ARE A FOOL! So many interesting facts about this devastating loss of life. I think , my opinion is to leave that resting place be!

[@jaredbailey8237]

@@Caveman76. It was Cyril Evans the Californian's lone wireless operator. Trying to send a last message to Jack Phillips. The head wireless operator on the Titanic. That the Californian was "stopped for the night. And surrounded by ice." But the 2 ships were so close to each other. That the signal was full blast in Phillips headset. So Jack cut Evans off with the response "Shut up! Shut up you fool! I am busy! I am working Cape Race!". That was at 11:30pm. Evans shut his set down a few minutes later.

[@paulwoolerton664]

He also took his boat to Dunkirk & helped rescue troops.

[@robertarnold7187]

Perhaps out of guilt.

[@JaggerHA]

I enjoyed listening to this very much. I find it quite fascinating to hear first-hand stories like this, especially from the officers. I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to reply to the comments. Have a pleasant day.

[@TitanicsOfficers]

You are welcome :)

[@denisejkissell]

😢 How crazy it must have been for everyone. The survivor and the dead. So sad