Key moments

A last-minute shake-up occurs on the eve of the maiden voyage that was intended to give Titanic the expertise of Henry Wilde, who had most recently served as Chief Officer on Olympic under Capt. Smith. As a result William Murdoch is demoted to First Officer, the same post he most recently served on Olympic.

Charles Lightoller is demoted to Second Officer, a post that had been assigned to David Blair. Blair leaves Titanic altogether, taking with him the keys to a cupboard where a pair of binoculars were stored. As a result, the Titanic’s officers lay claim to the binoculars to be used by the ship’s lookouts, who will have to do without on the maiden voyage.