For a catastrophe to happen a number of fatal erros need to happen. We all know of the obvios cause behind the Titanic sinking which is hitting an ice berg. But, what still is mystery is how did the ship collide with the visible mountain of ice and why it sank so fast.
Here we learn of some human errors: 1) a steering mistake due to change of steering systems and 2) a decision by the owner (NOT the captain) to keep sailing.
Lessons learned?
Consider occasions when there is a move from one way of doing things to another and recognize the possibility of issues being raised. Stay alert and provide support.
Be attentive to situations where orders come from outside the circle of those who are in charge and have a dialogue - if you can!
Titanic sunk by steering mistake, author says
LONDON (Reuters) – The Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912 because of a basic steering error, and only sank as fast as it did because an official persuaded the captain to continue sailing, an author said in an interview published on Wednesday.
"Instead of steering Titanic safely round to the left of the iceberg, once it had been spotted dead ahead, the steersman, Robert Hitchins, had panicked and turned it the wrong way."
the conversion from sail ships to steam meant there were two different steering systems.
Crucially, one system meant turning the wheel one way and the other in completely the opposite direction.
There he heard not only about the fatal mistake but also the fact that J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of Titanic's owner the White Star Line persuaded the captain to continue sailing, sinking the ship hours faster than would otherwise have happened.
Read more at news.yahoo.com
"If Titanic had stood still, she would have survived at least until the rescue ship came and no one need have died," Patten said.
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