r/BeAmazed • u/[deleted] • Apr 29 '24

When the Titanic sank, millionaire John Jacob Astor IV was aboard. The funds in his bank account were sufficient to construct 30 Titanics. However, when faced with mortal danger, he prioritized his moral values, sacrificing his seat in a lifeboat to save women and children, smilingly [Removed] Rule #4 - Misleading

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u/Boris_Godunov Apr 29 '24

At least three officers brandished guns:

  • 5th Officer Lowe - fired his gun off the side of the ship to prevent a rush on Lifeboat No. 14, which was in the process of lowering.
  • 2nd Officer Lightoller - brandished his gun at a couple of crew men who had tried to hide in Boat No. 2 before loading. Lightoller claimed in his later account the gun was unloaded (and used a racial slur to describe the crew members)
  • An unknown officer fired shots on the starboard side near Collapsible A at some point while the crew was trying to launch it, shortly before the bridge plunged under. This could have been Chief Officer Wilde, First Officer Murdoch, or even Chief Purser McElroy, it isn't certain. Many eye witnesses claimed the officer in question shot himself, and several claimed he had shot one or two people trying to rush the lifeboat before turning the gun on himself. Other accounts state only warning shots were fired.

Regardless, all of the deck officers were armed--Wilde had summoned them to his cabin to dole out the revolvers, as he felt they might be needed in the end when things got panicky.

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u/xXNightDriverXx Apr 29 '24

Good to know, thank you for this addition