Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements ix

Chapter 1 'I reported it as soon as I seen it …' 1

Chapter 2 '… competent to produce disastrous results' 5

Chapter 3 'A most extraordinary circumstance' 7

Chapter 4 'Gross breach of a relevant duty of care …' 10

Chapter 5 'Drinking his blood will save our lives …' 14

Chapter 6 'Many more could have been saved …' 21

Chapter 7 'Who, if anyone, told you to enter that lifeboat?' 26

Chapter 8 'The stench was like that from a pen of pigs …' 33

Chapter 9 '… irritating, meddling and muddling to the benefit of nobody' 41

Chapter 10 '… there were eight feet of water in it' 48

Chapter 11 '… like wild beasts ready to spring' 53

Chapter 12 '… a wanton superfluity of luxury' 60

Chapter 13 'The electric lights were burning right to the very last…' 64

Chapter 14 'No deviation is to be permitted …' 70

Chapter 15 '… my best love to salute you' 76

Chapter 16 'It was terrible cries, Sir' 81

Chapter 17 'Who is responsible for this state of affairs?' 86

Chapter 18 'See Our Oars With Feather'd Spray' 97

Chapter 19 'Not only the graveyard of a great ship 103

Chapter 20 'Having mounted a restive horse …' 108

Chapter 21 'Sell out without further delay' 114

Chapter 22 'A matter certainly worth fighting for …' 122

Chapter 23 'Lord Salisbury did not trust Mr Pirrie … 131

Chapter 24 T suffer from the infirmity of deafness …' 140

Chapter 25 'Scaffolding not sufficient for the work …' 149

Chapter 26 'Gigantic Waves … Ships in Peril' 158

Chapter 27 'There should be independent testing …' 166

Chapter 28 'The Surveyor might report…' 177

Chapter 29 'Happy Birthday to You …' 186

Chapter 30 ?… infected with the disease of sloppiness' 193

Bibliography 205

Index 209