Emergency Lifeboat 2

Emergency Lifeboat 2
Emergency Lifeboat 2 swung out of the Titanic
Type	Emergency cutter
Location on deck	Port forward
Time when launched from Titanic	1:40 A.M.
Launched by officers	Smith, Wilde, Boxhall
Capacity	40
Estimated occupancy at launch	24
Estimated occupancy at rescue	24
Previous lifeboat launched	11
Next lifeboat launched	13

Emergency lifeboat 2 was the port emergency cutter of the RMS Titanic and the same type of boat as number 1, which was in the same position, at the most forward end of the Boat Deck. Boat 2 was the sixth boat loaded from the port side. It was the same at the most forward end, very close to the bridge. Captain Smith and Head Officer Wilde oversaw the launch, which occurred at approximately 1:40 A.M, following the launch of lifeboat 11. Fourth Officer Boxhall, who had been firing rockets, was sent in charge of this boat. He had another sailor, a steward and a kitchen hand with him. Eight ladies from First Class, including sisters Charlotte Appleton and Malvina Helen Cornell found seats in the boat and there were also six passengers from Third Class to be taken in: Winnie Coutts and her two young sons, as well as the Kink family. The father, Anton Kink, jumped in when the lowering was underway, as after all, male passengers were probibited from boarding on the port side. In all, there were probably no more than 17 people in it. Lifeboat 2 was the first boat to reach the RMS Carpathia, shortly after 4 o'clock in the morning.

Boxhall noted that the boat was a lot smaller than the rest, estimating she could have 30 aboard. The boat's main purpose was being ready. She was always uncovered and hanging to deck level swung out, ready to be lowered fast enough, should there be a man overboard. Her official occupancy was 40 people. He also remembered that there were no buoyancy tanks.

When Titanic sank at 2:20 A.M, Boxhall suggested to the occupants that they should go back to pick people up from the water. However, they refused outright. Boxhall found this puzzling, as only a short time before the women had pleaded with Smith for their husbands to be allowed to accompany them, yet now they did not want to go back to save them.

Notable occupants

• Joseph Groves Boxhall  ------------Fourth Officer (in charge)
• Frank Osman ----------------------Able Seaman
• John Ellis -------------------------Assistant Vegetable Cook
• James Johnstone -----------------First Class Saloon Steward
• Elizabeth Walton Allen --------------First Class Passenger
• Charlotte Appleton -----------------First Class Passenger
• Malvina Cornell ---------------------First Class Passenger
• Mahala D. Douglas -----------------First Class Passenger
• Emillie Kreuchen -------------------First Class Passenger
• Berthe Leroy ---------------------- maid of Mahala Douglas
• Georgette Alexandra Madill ---------First Class Passenger
• Elizabeth Walton Robert -----------First Class Passenger
• Bertha Illett ----------------------Second Class Passenger
• Neville Leslie Coutts* ------------- Third Class Passenger
• William Loch Coutts* --------------Third Class Passenger
• Mary Minnie Coutts* --------------Third Class Passenger
• Anton Kink -----------------------Third Class Passenger
• Luise Kink ------------------------Third Class Passenger
• Luise Gretchen Kink-Heilmann -----Third Class Passenger
• Hinnah Tu'mah*--------------------Third Class Passenger
• Mariyam Yūsuf Tu’mah* -------------Third Class Passenger
• Jirjis Tu'mah* ----------------------Third Class Passenger

_{*=not certain}

Popular culture

Emergency lifeboat 2 was portrayed in a few popular culture items.

A Night To Remember (1958)

Lifeboat 2 being loaded in A Night to Remember (1958)

The loading of lifeboat 2 was seen twice in the film. The first is when a couple must separate on deck, and the next is when the gambler gives a letter to a woman being loaded onto the boat.

Titanic: Adventure Out of Time

Boats 2 & 4 at about 1:15 AM in TAOOT

When Carlson wakes up at 1:05 AM, Emergency lifeboat 2 is unguarded. After the first cutscene at 1:15 AM, a seaman has moved on to the site.

"6 and 8 'ave gone, but my orders are to wait on numbers 2 and 4 here."
    - a seaman

Seaman: I'm loadin' no boats now! It'll be Officer Morrow who'll decide who's leavin'.

Carlson: Can I get on a lifeboat?

Seaman: I'm not lowering 2 & 4 until the officer comes down. Talk to Officer Morrow!

Carlson: Can you help me...?

Seaman: Help?! Now?! I'm busy!! I've got my orders to hold these boats for a few more minutes.

After the third cutscene at 1:45 AM, the seaman is replaced by Officer Morrow.

"These are the last two boats! 2 and 4!"
    - Third Officer Morrow

After the fourth cutscene at 1:55 AM, the boat is launched.

James Cameron's 1997 Film

Lifeboat 2 and Lifeboat 4 still swung out around 1:30 A.M in Titanic (1997)

The evacuation around 1:40 AM, showing Boat 2 has been launched and is beginning to row away.

"Bloody pull faster and pull!"

Lifeboat 2 make an appearance as the boat rows away from the Titanic's stern as people jump off the stern. And when the boat is good distance away, Boxhall tells the people in the boat: "Bloody pull faster, and pull!"

Ghosts of the Abyss

Lifeboat 2 appears first when loading while Robert Hitchens refuses to return to the ship and reappears when the Titanic is about to split apart and sink completely.

2012 Titanic Miniseries

Lifeboat 2 being loaded in 2012 Titanic Miniseries

Grace Rushton took her dog and J.J Astor dog, Kitty with her into Lifeboat 2 in 2012 Titanic Miniseries

Grace Rushton was saved in Emergency lifeboat 2, she took her dog and Kitty, J.J Astor's dog with her. Fourth Officer Boxhall denied the dog but Grace protested and refused to leave her behind and took a step forward with Grace under her coat. Later, Emergency lifeboat 2 was one of the Lifeboat who was gather with Collapsible C, lifeboat 5 and lifeboat 6.

Titanic tragedy HD

The people of Lifeboat 2 watch in horror the Sinking of the Titanic

Sources

1. _{'Titanic' ©1996 (second print, 1998) Edward P. De Groot}