Titanic's 2nd Officer Lightoller Survives 5 Shipwrecks & WWI
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2023
- It's hard to imagine the life of Charles H. Lightoller. Fortunately, we don't have to because it really happened. Lightoller, the 2nd Officer on the RMS Titanic, somehow survived 5 shipwrecks, including three that happened during World War 1...and then survived long enough to rescue British soldiers trapped at Dunkirk during World War II. His life story is beyond amazing and nobody tells it better than Captain Darrell Walton...so sit back and enjoy the amazing life of Commander Lightoller with Captain Darrell...and thanks for your support! #HistoryMysteryMan #Lightoller #Titanic #Oceanic #ShipWrecks #WorldWar1 #WorldWar2
As soon as i see capt walton i know its a good video no matter the topic
I'll buy that! Thanks again, Billy...HMM
What a life. Some might say cursed, others may say charmed, whichever it was a hell of a life.
A hell of a life indeed; thanks for watching...HMM
Can’t describe adequately how much joy I experience when I see a Captain Darrell and HMM video pop up!!!!
100%
Thanks again, Todd...so appreciated. HMM
@6:20 I completely lost it inside this taco shop laughing. No binoculars.
Ha! Good tacos? Thanks...HMM
The super-liners of the early 1900’s were marvels of engineering and industrial might, but woefully inadequate in regards to safety and the crews were just not prepared to handle such behemoths. Multiple incidents with Olympic alone bears that fact out….Titanic and Brittanic were just not as lucky.
Fate smiled broadly upon Charles Lightoller’s life, to have survived so many near-fatal sinking incidents.
Super interesting thoughts; thanks again, for sharing them here. Great points all the way through...HMM
Hey history mystery man, my names Kevin Meister I’m 21 years old and I really enjoy and appreciate all the knowledge that you to are putting out there and setting the record straight once and for all. I work 85 hours a week and there’s nothing I enjoy more than learning the history about these ships from the best. Thank you
Thanks Kevin...so appreciated. It's quite refreshing for a young man like yourself to take an interest in what we're doing here. I also admire that you work so hard...85 hours a week...whoa...but I like that. Thanks again...stop by anytime. HMM
If I were a sailor at the time I think that if I was aware that Lightoller was an officer on my ship I would have done everything in my power to switch ships, or just quit. That man was as unlucky as a black cat.
More wisdom from Captain Darrell and HMM . Thanks for another interesting interview.
The pleasure is all ours; thanks for your support, Robert. Merry Christmas my friend...HMM
I so enjoy your talks with Captain Darrell. Thank you! 😊
Me too! Thanks for watching...HMM
I'm sure the binoculars were locked up because they are a high dollar item and easy to steal. My father told me the following story back in the 70's..... He worked in a paper mill and on each paper machine were a couple of spotlights on spiral accordion cords for working on the machines, he went to use one and the sealed beam was burned out, he went to get another in the supply room and the guy there had a hard time finding the key for the cabinet, my father asked him why in the world were those locked up when most other things weren't, he laughed and said they were the same sealed beam used on most models of snowmobiles, and they couldn't keep them in stock no matter how many he had ordered. LOL
Ha! Super interesting story...thanks for sharing it here! HMM
Thanks again! You and Captain Darrell are great!
Thanks again, Don! HMM
This was incredible thanks HHM!!
You're welcome Peter; thanks for watching. HMM
This was very intresting. Thank you , and to you as well, Capt.
Thanks Samantha...greatly appreciated. HMM
I was just lookin for something to watch when I got this notification! Thanks for another video!
You're welcome Chad; thanks for watching...HMM
I second that emotion! Captain Walton and the History Mystery Man never disappoint. Thank you so much for such great first hand commentary. Bravo gentlemen~
Thanks...so appreciated! HMM
Wow! All those shipwrecks, that’s some crazy stuff!! Another great video from you fellas, keep up the great work!
Thanks again, Daniel...HMM
Great video thanks
You're welcome; thanks for watching...HMM
HMM,you've done it again.
So very intresting, learned so things.
Your videos are outstanding.
Thank you.
Thanks again, my friend...and have a Merry Christmas! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan Merry Christmas to you too, and a Happy New Year!
I really love the interviews with Capt Darrell Walton. The attention to exact facts is very important to me, because it is historically very important. I noticed that it stated that no 3rd class passengers survived Titanics sinking, when in fact there were quite a few, although less, percentage wise, than 1st, and 2nd class survivors. Thank you for bringing us these videos. It is very important, in my opinion, to keep the memories of these men and women alive.
Got it...thanks for sharing this information here. Can't quite remember...but I think it was me who said that about the 3rd class passengers...so my bad on that. Thanks for your support...HMM
Great to see you bring Captain Darrell back ! A true Captain, in his notes handwritten, aka a log! Where to buy that tshirt of the Fitz? About Titanic> Why did they not carry the bulkheads to the top? It allowed the water to flow concurrently! Many of the 3rd class were locked in sadly. According to science , those ppl were trapped in an air bubble that built up pressure and by around 800 feet would have succumbed to the depth. Some say that the Titanic ran into a major mechanical failure, and that they switched the Sister ship Olympia, including nameplate to ensure the launch would go as planned . This was debunked- BUT, the coal fire aboard the Titanic the day before the launch, burned against the hull may have been a weak spot and the iceberg hit that area . They pushed too hard trying to break a record but the engine was never designed for. Sounds alot like the Fitz in Her many trips with what is purported to be a lack of maintenance , but having lost radar and relying on the Anderson for navigation , not Coopers fault at all- hitting Caribou Island shoal as Capt Darrell mentioned probably caused a breach in Her hull and probably caused the railing to have dropped. Ironically Capt Edward Smith, and Captain McSorely , was their last run before retirement for both.
Great insight; thanks for sharing it here. I'll see if I can find out where Darrell got his shirt. HMM
Thank you for the excellent bio video on Charles Lightoller. In addition to 5 shipwrecks, he spent most of his working life under a “keep it thin and quiet if you know what’s good for you” order from White Star. He also lost two sons in World War Two, one in the RAF in the early days of the war and the other in a commando raid shortly before the Normandy invasion. I saw on another internet resource that Lightoller’s yacht “Sundowner” is out of the water in the boatyard of a respected UK wooden hull restoration company. It needs major work and funds are being sought.
You're welcome...and thanks for sharing your stories on Lightoller; I didn't know that he had lost sons in war. Man I sure hope the Sundowner gets its rightful restoration. HMM
There is so much more than just the binoculars being locked up. Fleet said during his testimony that it would have only given him a couple seconds more to spot the berg. Captain smith was probably the one most at fault, he had several messages of bergs and growlers in the area but ordered the ship to keep at best speed
I know it's been debated recently if binoculars would've been beneficial that particular night.
So many factors regarding the sinking of the Titanic. I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to blame. What's amazing to me is how the story, more than 100 years later, continues to fascinate us. Thanks for watching...HMM
You're doing a fantastic job!! Love the videos!! Keep them coming!!!
Thanks David...so appreciated! HMM
For reference, during this time period rival Cunard Line had the Lusitania and the Mauretania which is why Olympic and Titanic was needed. They felt running them in pairs of three would lead to constant service which is why Britannic was built and Cunard built Aquitania.
Interesting info; thanks for sharing it here...learn something new every day. HMM
This content is consistently awesome. I live in Toledo and I’ve been to the museum several times. That would be so cool to meet you guys sometime
Love me some Toledo! Be glad to meet you...HMM
Love the videos, you're doing a fantastic job, keep them coming.
Thanks Riley...so appreciated. HMM
Another Good one ,thanks friend
You're always welcome; thanks for watching...HMM
This is another great sit down! Thank you gentlemen! Much respect 🏴☠️
You're welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM
Subbed a long time back and enjoy them all. Thanks for you Both!
Thanks for your subscription...and for watching. Greatly appreciated. HMM
Another great interview guys!👍
Thanks Chris...HMM
Very Interesting.
Titanic is a immense historical story with multiple levels. I'm a huge Titanic Enthusiast, but never realized that 2nd Officer Lightoller had experienced that many previous wrecks. Thanks for the info guys, keep it going.
Thanks again, Todd...always appreciated. I have a small piece with Capt. D. on the Titanic, so watch for that. HMM
The Anderson needs to be a museum. Best ship on the world, period
I'd love to go aboard! Thanks. Love me some dirt modified racing! HMM
@HistoryMysteryMan You and I have a lot in common. The love for boats and dirt cars. I want to see the Anderson retired or at least re-named the Cooper. I have always felt he was a hero. His crew faced amazing odds to try to rescue Fitz survivors. But they knew he would bring them home. The Anderson, captain, and crew are true heros.
Awesome video as always, Captain Darrell is an absolute LEGEND. Thanks so much for all these videos keep up the great work!
Thanks Andrew...we love us some Capt. D! Thanks for your support...HMM
Thank you for this too. I’ve always loved the Titanic. I had no idea Lightoller survived this many ships. I’ve gotta get that book he wrote.
Great book...thanks! HMM
Thanks to both of you! Really enjoy
You're welcome! Thanks...HMM
I am an old salt....way n orth of 70 years old,,,my Scccandinavian Grandpa Toyvo had a ticket for the Titanic..he was poor...some Brit offered him twice the money he paid for it...Sold ....and i am happy to be alive ...cause he missed the boat...you both are just AWESOME....bless your salty SOULS......
Wow...that's a fascinating story; thanks for sharing it here. Your life is already full of purpose, but your story gives it even more. Thanks for your support! HMM
Wow super interesting. A little bonus history lesson along with the ship stories too. I could listen to you two chat for hours! Tomorrow is the anniversary of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. I just learned of it a few years ago. It would be interesting to see our two resident experts discuss what happened since you both excel at storytelling. Thanks HMM and Captain Darrell for another awesome video!
You're always welcome; thanks for your continued support. I'll have to look up the Halifax Explosion...not familiar with the story. Thanks for the idea...HMM
Great interview!
Thanks Michael! HMM
Another great video guys...thank you so much!!!
You're always welcome; thanks for watching...HMM
Wow 5 ship wrecks survived! That’s an amazing story! Thank you for sharing, I’m going to have to see if I can find that book Darrell talks about. Very interesting.
You're welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM
Another great video!
Thanks Wayne...HMM
Thank you for creating, and sharing your videos. I love listening to Capt. Darrell. I am from Battle Creek Michigan, so I live probably an hour away from the guy… When i’m not truckin across the country. 😂😎
You're welcome! Thanks for supporting what we do...so appreciated. Careful out there on those icy/snowy roads! HMM
I’m going to get Lightoller’s book! Thank you for the recommendation 😊 On a quick fact check, I have read that the deck hand assigned to igniting the rockets that fateful night was completely untrained at that task. He mistakenly fired white rockets, which at the time, white rockets were merely a way for ships out in the open ocean to acknowledge other ships. A “hello, we are here,” if you will. Red rockets, green, and blue all denoted varying degrees of distress and none of the colored rockets were ever fired. In fact, pulled from the wreckage were all of the red, green, and blue rockets. Very sad and unfortunate that a sailor who had no sea faring experience was assigned to such an important task. Poor Philips had the same problem. He had never been at sea either prior to the sinking if I’m not mistaken. We cannot blame the babes. 🙏❤️
Very interesting info Penelope...something I had not known about prior to you...super interesting! Thanks for sharing it here...and thanks for your continued support! HMM
Great article. Sad that so many overlooked details that could have prevented or at least lessened the loss of lives. I believe
Thanks for chiming in John...greatly appreciated.@@John-zg4ou
Thank you HMM and Captain Darrell for another amazing video and information! Would love to know where Captain Darrell Walton got that shirt from? @History Mystery Man, any clue?
Thanks! I think he told me he got in online somewhere; I'll see if I can find out. I'm certain there are shirts available at the Whitefish Point museum too...hopefully online. HMM
Great episode. I've had a simmering interest in Lightholer. I'll have to check out his book. Thanks to both of you.
You're welcome; thanks again, Brad. HMM
I like listening to bouth of yous .you know what your talking about thanks keep doing this .best one is about the fixs
Thanks Mike...greatly appreciated. HMM
Ok I won't touch this one but I'm gonna say the morrell and Titanic, morrell and the Townsend were built pretty much the same time and with the same brittle steel!
They all sank!
And not only the Townsend was put into dry dock for a long time until it was being towed for scrap and it sank
Yeah...there are definitely stories to tell regarding the brittle steel used in the shipping industry back then. Maybe we can dig in a little more on this subject. Thanks for watching...HMM
From what I read in my two books of Dennis hales the Titanic, Morrell and Townsend where all built the same year or so and all that steel plates was pretty much the same and if I'm not mistaken,I can be wrong, but after the morrell that night she sank ,the Townsend halled down and went to anchor that night and the coast guard was inspecting her hull and reported a near identical crack like the morrell as they were headed for lake Superior they wouldn't let her go on !
Some years later she, the Townsend was being towed for scrap and I think in the Atlantic she sank !
As I say I can be wrong
I always wanted to become a lake sailor and wish I did it now but hey things happen and was even thinking of working at the Lorain ship yard after I graduated in 1985 but stienbrenner pulled up the stakes and I believe moved to Florida?? So there went that plan,lol
I enjoy your stories about the ships and the lakes keep them coming!
Best wishes my friend
Wow great story
Many thanks! HMM
Great video very interesting
Thanks again! HMM
"So it shall be done, so it shall be written."
Congratulations on the blue box! I wonder what's dangerous to know about the Titanic that makes them tremble and point us to their version of events?
Good question. Wish I had some answers. HMM
Fact -- Titanic was only about 2/3 capacity when it sailed on its maiden voyage.
They had room for at least another thousand people!
Thanks for the info...HMM
great video one thing about the lookouts though from what i understand they didnt have them cause binoculars were locked up but those guys thought they could see better without them cause normally the waves break at large bergs but cause the sea was so calm they didnt also most historians think there was an unusal weather phenomenon that messed with your depth perception which if true means the binoculars wont even have helped also could have messed with the Califonian again love the video and will be going to the toledo next summer for sure
Good points...worth thinking about. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. HMM
What is the song at the beginning of all your videos? Great video
The Carpathia shouldn’t be overlooked in the story of the Titanic, Carpathia’s captain ran her so hard using every trick in the book to gain that little bit of extra steam that the ship burned out her boilers and the rest of her career she couldn’t make her max speed or make full boiler pressure, also of note that the Olympic, Titanic’s sister ship was responding to the sinking and was due to arrive after Carpathia but Bruce Ismay called her off stating he felt the passengers might revolt at the idea of boarding a ship that was virtually identical to the one they just witnessed and survived the sinking of.
To me the most fascinating story of Titanic isn’t the ship itself or her sinking but it’s everything else that happened afterwards
Interesting thoughts Logan. Thanks for sharing them here...great fodder for future videos/movies. Crazy note on the Olympic...because I'd rather board a ship that resembled the ill-fated Titanic than die. Never knew that about Carpathia, so thanks for that...and all your contributions! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan you’re very welcome and I know you’d find the wartime service of Olympic interesting as well. She sank I believe two German Uboats, one of which she rammed while it was on the surface in WW1 and was hit by a torpedo which luckily never went off but she carried the damage the rest of her career. Also to note Olympic and Titanic’s other sister Britannic who only ever served in WW1 as a hospital ship that struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean, she never made a single trans Atlantic run. It was really almost like the Olympic class ships were cursed and that’s not mentioning the near sinking of Olympic after a collision with a Royal Navy ship (HMS Hawk I believe) on her first sailing.
the Carpathia also served in WW1 however she sank July of 1918 to a Uboat off the coast of Ireland, and its believed that because she couldn’t run full steam due to her rescue effort in Titanic’s sinking, Carpathia couldn’t outrun the German sub.
You could do so many episodes on just the Oceanliners during wartime
Yeah...I can see that there is a never ending supply of maritime stories...you'd never run out. Thanks for the lessons on Olympic, Britannic and Carpathia...never knew. The things you learn at History Mystery Man.@@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606
Another incredible video and history lesson! You and Captain Darrell should do a video on the Andrea Gail.
That's a good idea; thanks for watching! HMM
You guys are great togeather.
Thanks Wade...so appreciated. HMM
since we are both from and of the dirt oval world I had a thought to share with you. Captain D if he met bloomquist and then billy moyer(my fav just because I know him a little and through a mutual friend helped me out at a batesville race one time) I would bet he would be a moyer fan based on what personality of his comes through on the camera.@@HistoryMysteryMan
Jp Morgan owned white star lines and ironically the wealthiest passengers who were on titanic also recently declined the federal reserve association . The negligence seems deliberate
Interesting...thanks. HMM
The binoculars had been locked up but no one had the keys they were taken by the crew member that sent to the Olympic
The same keys were sold at auction within the last 25 years I believe.
Looking it up -- keys were sold at auction in September 2007 to a Chinese high roller. He paid 90,000 pounds (British) for the keys! That's around $194,000 US today.
The key(s) to the binoculars locker was taken by David Blair, who was supposed to be assigned Second Officer to Titanic but was reassigned off-ship abruptly by the Captain (Smith).
HMM you two should do a series on the Marquette Bessimer no.2 and were the wreck which hasn't been found could possibly be !
Thanks for that idea, Ron...greatly appreciated. HMM
I can't decide if he's incredibly lucky or unlucky
I see what you mean...let me know what you decide! Thanks...HMM
I love the videos keep it up! can I ask the name of the intro music you use?
Thanks! I'll see if I can dig that up on the music. Why do you ask? Thanks again...and Happy New Year! HMM
Lightoller also looked for gold in Montana
Interesting...didn't know that. Thanks for sharing it here. HMM
The radio operators job priority was to deliver passengers messages other traffic was to be delivered at their convenience.The wireless operators were employees of The marconi company not The White Star Line .
When you sign on a ship, you sign the "Articles". That means the ship comes first. Ice warnings should have been the "TOP PRIOITY" of the Wireless Operator!
Yeah. Pretty sure if I was assigned to a ship, and I saw this dude's name on the roster, I'd be begging for a transfer. There's jinx, and then there's him.
Or, I would stay real close to him! hahahaha
While I love your videos, especially on Edmund Fitzgerald, much of what you and others know of Titanic is fairly misinformed. This isn't a criticism of you or Captain Darrell, these are common to most people.
Stuff like the experience of the officers with the ships is a common misconception, and is addressed in the video. Most of them had been aboard either Titanic's sister Olympic in the previous year under Captain Smith or some of White Star's other luxury ships.
The coal bunker fire isn't what people know it to be. In fact, because they moved the coal due to the fire, Titanic actually had a slight list away from the iceberg impact. Nowadays, that's actually thought to be the reason she didn't roll over like so many other ships. The water coming in was offset by the weight of the coal on the opposite side.
Captain Smith also didn't "goose the engines" at the dock. The suction caused by Titanic passing by caused the moorings to snap on the SS City of New York, and she nearly collided with Titanic. Luckily, or unluckily rather, the tugs managed to grab the smaller ship and put it back in place.
I could go on...
Titanic was a beautifully constructed ship by one of the finest ship builders of the period, Harland and Wolffe. Sure she had a few things that weren't perfect, but the ship still had a lot going for her. The crew weren't the bumbling morons many would make them out to be. They were well trained professionals, and Captain Smith was called the Millionaire's Captain for a reason. People would choose to sail under him, and him only because the thought he was the best.
I really recommend you and Captain Darrell check out videos from a channel called Oceanliner Designs on Titanic and other ships.
Especially check out his recent video "Titanic Before Disaster", which talks about Titanic's days before the sinking. Another great video from that channel is "Titanic Scandal: How J. Bruce Ismay's Reputation Was Ruined". They have a lot of great information that so many people overlook. They even used beautiful 3D models to render many of the ships they speak about in their videos.
Pitch black no moon…binoculars would have been useless anyway
YES...there should be movie about the fitz...no bs..Sure..add some spice such as suspense..like Theme from THE THING..then weather report I had A TALK WITH WELDER ASSISTANT...HE WAS IMPRESSED of the fitz and sad too when it sunk NOW as for titanic..WELL YA GOT AN HOUR clock is ticking
The Thing! I love that movie! Hardest part about a movie on the Fitz is that we don't know what happened...as opposed to the Titanic in which we know how it ends. Thanks for your support...HMM
Hello Don, love the channel, love racing and the great lake ship wreak stories love them all, my question is what is the bagpipe music you have in the beginning of the great lake videos?
Thanks! You know, that's the most frequently asked question on my channel. May I ask why you ask? HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan lol me and my wife like the Celtic Style music and bagpipes, anyway we are planning on watching more tonight, it's pretty wild the corporate greed behind these stories
Awesome...thanks for your support. Soon I will disclose there that music came from...it's super easy to find.@@rbb1949
@@HistoryMysteryMan thank you very much, honestly if you can't I understand because I'm sure there is copyright laws and stuff like that.
OLD CRUSTY SEA CAPT with beard HALLOWEEN SPECIAL..SEA CAPT OF AN OLD CLIPPER SHIP
From what I understand the guy on the California who was operating the communications misunderstood the titanic ignored it because he was offended by something
Interesting...thanks again, for sharing your thoughts here. HMM
👍
Thanks for another good vidja about maritime mishaps. There is this video our there about some contraversy about the Titanic being sunk on purpose involving insurance claims.
Thanks...I'll have to search that video out you're talking about. HMM
YA KNOW me and these two guys are talking about shipping tales..and im on the side Dranking my beer Smoking ma NEVER MIND..and im just enjoying these sea stories...AYE TWO CAPTS...if you were on titanoc WHAT WOULD YOU DO?????
That's a very good question. Without being in the actual situation, I can't say for sure...can only surmise. But thanks for the idea...maybe Captain Darrell and I should sit down and discuss that one...thanks! HMM
@@HistoryMysteryMan SURE....same goes for other ships...There was a show where by They got all information together..Put it all in Ship simulator...and WOW..big fitz and the waves
My theory is they sunk it for insurance and you'll have to go down that rabbit hole. Interesting theory and it wasn't the titanic that went down 😢
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here...HMM
TITANIC //Fire in coal bunker GET THER3 ITITIS..
With no moon the binoculars would NOT have made any difference whatsoever!!!
I hear you on the binoculars. However, the point was to demonstrate that it was never a good idea to try to skip across the ocean in 1912 without binoculars. To this day, ships don't leave home without them. HMM
Touche...I apologize as I missed the point! I get what you're saying now.
WHAT YA SHOULD DO?? is make a video and just have TWO CAPTS talk about WHAT WOULD YOU DO..??? ...SEA CAPT prospective
SUMMMERS??? BBQ or bon fire with soft music in back ground...SPRNNG ya see this weather? Mild..? sunny? slight wind? THIS WAS THE WEATHER the fitz sailed that day...
There videos are awesome keep them coming
Thanks again, Bob. Your message keeps me inspired to keep going. #Grateful HMM
Ever hear of the Titanic and Olympic being switched
I have heard that. Hasn't that been debunked? Thanks...HMM
Lightoller sent out a 40 person capacity lifeboat away with only 12 people on board and commited warcrimes in ww1 by executing surrendering soldiers. Do with that information as you will.
The plan was to lower the lifeboats away to the lower deck. People were to afraid too "go over the side, that high up off the water. That worked for some of the boats, however, the bow going down, made it impossible to load all the boats at the lower deck level, due to the angle. Lightoller rammed his destroyer into a U Boat, during WW 1. He is a hero, that served his country, all his life. He is not a war criminal! He was torpedoed several times, & defended his ships from destruction.
No doubt on Lightoller's hero status. The man survived 5 shipwrecks, served his country in WWI and rescued British soldiers at Dunkirk. For someone to take shots at Lightoller from home says way more about the person taking shots than it does about Lightoller.
Amen to that brother. What this world needs is more people just like him! @@HistoryMysteryMan
You need to retract this video. Also if you really care about sharing good information on maritime history you need to talk about william murdoch's contributions to the evacuation of titanic.
Maybe if you read Lightollers book, you would understand things differently. There were a lot of heros the night Titanic sank. There are other books written by surviving passengers, who praised the crew for their efforts.