Titanic Lifeboat 9
Titanic’s Lifeboat number 9 was located at the aft end of the starboard side of the boat deck. After Titanic had collided with the iceberg, it was the fifth boat to be lowered away from the starboard side. Inside the lifeboat were mostly women, most of which were from second class; joined by a few members of the ship’s crew, as well as a few male passengers.
The crew of the boat later recalled that while the boat was being loaded with woman, an older woman who was being helped into the boat become frightened and absolutely refused to get in before then disappearing back into the ship.
Once all the available nearby women were in the boat, a few men jumped in, making the total number of people in the boat approximately around 40 people, 25 under the boat’s maximum capacity, and then at approximately 1.30am, First Officer William Murdoch gave the order for the boat to be lowered away. Placed in command of the boat was Boatswain's Mate Albert Haines.
Once in the water, the boat initially hung around near the ship, but as it became clear that the ship was sinking, for the safety of the people aboard the boat, they moved off a safe distance from the ship. Inside the boat was water and biscuits, and although the boat does not appear to have had its actual own lamp, Albert Haines did mention there being a small pocket lamp.
After Titanic had sunk, with their being people struggling in the water, Albert Haines asked the other seamen in the boat if it was advisable to go back. It was decided not to go back as with the amount of people in the boat it would have been too dangerous. It then appears that they sat still until Carpathia was sighted and they started to row towards her.
Lifeboat 9 and all its occupants were safely brought aboard Carpathia and taken to New York. One of the more notable occupants of the boat was Léontine Aubart, Benjamin Guggenheim’s mistress. Benjamin Guggenheim is known for having been reported to have, along with his valet, dressed in his best clothes and to have said: “We’ve dressed in our best and are prepared to go down like gentlemen.” Both Benjamin Guggenheim and his valet, Victor Giglio, were lost in the disaster.
Related pages - Titanic Lifeboats, All Titanic Pages