John Charles Bigham Biography and Timeline

Appointed Titanic Wreck Commissioner

Is appointed Wreck Commissioner to conduct the British formal investigation into Titanic's loss.

Role range: 1912-1912

British Inquiry Chairmanship

Chairs hearings examining navigation, construction and emergency procedures.

British Titanic Inquiry Opens

Opens the formal British inquiry into Titanic's loss.

Titanic Lifeboat Inquiry

Examines lifeboat provision, launching and evacuation procedures during the British investigation.

Titanic Navigation Inquiry

Examines evidence concerning Titanic's navigation, speed, ice warnings and collision.

Titanic Wireless Inquiry

Reviews wireless messages, distress calls and communications evidence during the inquiry.

Titanic Construction Inquiry

Hears technical evidence about Titanic's structure, watertight subdivision and damage.

Continuous Lifeboat Fender Requirement

Recommends fitting lifeboats with continuous protective fenders to reduce damage while boats are lowered in a seaway.

Continuous Wireless Watch

Recommends wireless installations staffed by enough trained operators to maintain continuous service by day and night.

Crew Service Continuity Review

Recommends reviewing merchant-shipping law to encourage greater continuity of service among trained seafarers.

Double Skin and Longitudinal Bulkhead Review

Recommends investigation of double skins and longitudinal watertight bulkheads to improve passenger-ship resistance to flooding.

Duty to Assist Distressed Ships

Recommends reminding masters that they are legally required to assist vessels in distress whenever it is possible to do so.

Early Ship Design Safety Review

Recommends that authorities obtain designs and specifications early enough to require safety improvements before construction is completed.

Emergency Passenger Control System

Recommends an organized emergency-control system to secure obedience to orders and guide passengers during casualties.

Greater Subdivision Survival Standard

Recommends stronger watertight subdivision so a ship can remain afloat despite flooding over a greater proportion of its length.

International Maritime Safety Conference

Recommends an international conference to establish common standards for subdivision, lifesaving appliances, wireless, ice navigation and searchlights.

Lifeboat Capacity Based on Persons

Recommends calculating lifeboat and raft capacity from the number of people carried rather than from a ship's tonnage.

Lifeboat Emergency Equipment Readiness

Recommends that lifeboat equipment be aboard before departure and that boats carry lights, compasses, provisions and capacity markings.

Lifeboat Places for Everyone

Recommends sufficient lifeboat accommodation for everyone aboard passenger ships wherever such provision is practicable.

Lifeboats Independent of Subdivision

Recommends treating lifeboat accommodation independently from the protection provided by watertight subdivision.

Lookout Eyesight Testing

Recommends regular eyesight testing for every crew member assigned to lookout duties on passenger ships.

Mechanically Propelled Rescue Boat

Recommends giving authorities power to require one or more ship's boats to have mechanical propulsion.

Merchant Service Boat Training

Recommends encouraging systematic training for boys entering the Merchant Service so more seafarers are competent in boat work.

New Ship Safety Enforcement Powers

Recommends statutory powers allowing approved structural safety standards to be enforced on newly built passenger ships.

Passenger Ship Safety Supervision Extension

Recommends extending stronger safety supervision and inspection beyond emigrant ships to all foreign-going passenger ships.

Pre Departure Boat Working Scheme

Recommends requiring every passenger ship to have an officer-communicated plan for efficiently working the lifeboats before departure.

Reduced Speed near Reported Ice

Recommends that ships reduce speed during darkness or alter course when ice is reported near their intended track.

Stronger Lifesaving Appliance Inspection

Recommends more searching official inspection of lifeboats and other life-saving appliances before passenger ships sail.

Trained Lifeboat Crew Requirement

Recommends training additional crew members in boat work whenever deck crews alone cannot adequately man all lifeboats.

Watertight Deck Protection Review

Recommends investigation of watertight decks and methods of sealing openings so flooding can be contained more effectively.

Weekly Emergency Drill Programme

Recommends boat, fire and watertight-door drills after departure and at least weekly during voyages, with drills recorded in the log.

Titanic British Inquiry Findings

Concludes the British formal investigation and delivers the Wreck Commissioner's report on Titanic's loss.

Safety of Life at Sea Conference Chairmanship

Leads the British delegation and chairs the international conference convened to establish common standards for safety of life at sea.

First SOLAS Convention Signed

Chairs the conference that produces the first International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea in response to Titanic.

SOLAS International Ice Patrol

Helps establish the international system for ice observation and patrol intended to warn North Atlantic shipping about dangerous ice.

SOLAS Lifesaving Appliance Standards

Helps establish international standards for lifeboats and other life-saving appliances through the first SOLAS Convention.

SOLAS Shipboard Radio Requirement

Helps establish international requirements for radio equipment on passenger ships so distress communications can be received and transmitted.

SOLAS Watertight Construction Standards

Helps establish international construction requirements addressing watertight bulkheads and passenger-ship subdivision.