tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3875365454966245098.post441495084147397292..comments2023-06-11T13:12:20.435+01:00Comments on The Anger of a Quiet Man: Denormalising historyQuiet_Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575652127079681825noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3875365454966245098.post-71667963369520325502012-03-10T16:55:44.902+00:002012-03-10T16:55:44.902+00:00This puts me in mind of a question that's been...This puts me in mind of a question that's been knocking around in the back of my mind for some time. <br /><br />Why didn't the Titanic have searchlights to look out for icebergs with? <br /><br />Obviously radar would have been ideal, but that was still about 25 years in the future. But searchlights were available in those days, and icebergs were a well-known hazard. <br /><br />So- why no searchlights?CJ Nerdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3875365454966245098.post-32081915032698285512012-03-09T11:52:57.904+00:002012-03-09T11:52:57.904+00:00Because Olympic had been damaged White Star Line w...Because <i>Olympic</i> had been damaged White Star Line were keen to get <i>Titanic</i> in service as soon as possible. Shipyard effort had been diverted from <i>Titanic</i> build to <i>Olympic</i> repair and as a result all of the programme 'slack' was taken up.<br /><br /><i>Titanic</i> sailed on schedule but had had only half a day for sea trials. The only opportunity for 'shakedown' was the transit to Southampton with a skeleton crew. As a result her maiden voyage was as much a training exercise for the crew as a revenue raising trip for the company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3875365454966245098.post-33210467619626937042012-03-09T10:06:29.112+00:002012-03-09T10:06:29.112+00:00Since when did Captains (other than those of small...Since when did Captains (other than those of small vessels) actually steer ships ?<br /><br />To the best of my knowledge & belief, that's what they employ Helmsmen to do ..<br /><br />The Captain is in overall command, on the bridge, directing others in the way in which he requires his vessel to be handled ..<br /><br />In his absence, this supervisory duty is delegated to either the First Officer, or Officer Of The Watch ..Captain Haddocknoreply@blogger.com