Captain Arthur Henry Rostron
Carpathia Command
Commands Carpathia after the ship departs New York on her eastbound voyage on 11 April 1912.
Titanic quick answer
How did Carpathia rescue Titanic survivors?
Carpathia altered course after receiving Titanic’s distress traffic and reached the lifeboats in the early morning of 15 April 1912.
Answer in context
Arthur Rostron, wireless traffic and the rescue of survivors. The supporting records below are selected directly from the current 617-record Titanic archive.
Archive records supporting this answer
20 matching archive records are rendered directly in this static page.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Wireless Watch Before Distress
Keeps his wireless headphones on while preparing to retire and consequently hears Titanic's distress traffic.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Titanic Distress Call Received
Receives Titanic's distress traffic and alerts Carpathia's bridge so the ship can turn toward the reported position.
Captain Arthur Henry Rostron
Carpathia Reaches Titanic Lifeboats
Brings Carpathia to the disaster area and begins recovering people from Titanic's lifeboats.
Captain Arthur Henry Rostron
Carpathia Receives Titanic Distress Call
Responds after Carpathia receives Titanic's wireless distress message.
Captain Arthur Henry Rostron
Carpathia Rescue Preparations
Orders Carpathia prepared to receive large numbers of survivors while the ship races toward Titanic's reported position.
Captain Arthur Henry Rostron
Titanic Rescue Completed
Completes recovery of Titanic survivors before Carpathia turns toward New York.
Lawrence Beesley
Carpathia Rescue Observed
Observes Carpathia collecting other Titanic lifeboats and survivors during the morning rescue.
Harold Thomas Cottam
CQD Interception
Unexpectedly intercepts Titanic's CQD announcing that the liner has struck an iceberg.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Bridge Alert
Immediately reports Titanic's distress message to Carpathia's bridge.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Captain Alerted
Ensures Captain Rostron is informed that Titanic has struck an iceberg and requires assistance.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Titanic Position Received
Receives Titanic's reported position for Carpathia's emergency run toward the liner.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Carpathia Position Sent
Transmits Carpathia's position during the wireless exchange with Titanic.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Rescue Course Reply
Sends confirmation that Carpathia is steaming toward Titanic at the greatest speed possible.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Further Titanic Messages
Receives several additional wireless messages from Titanic after the initial distress call.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Lifeboat Readiness Message
Relays Rostron's message telling Titanic that Carpathia is coming and that rescue preparations are being made.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Last Message Without Reply
Sends a final message toward Titanic but receives no further answer from the sinking liner.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Olympic Call Monitored
Hears Olympic attempting to call Titanic and helps draw Titanic's wireless operator's attention to the call.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Frankfurt Traffic Monitored
Monitors wireless exchanges between Titanic and Frankfurt during the emergency.
Harold Thomas Cottam
Wireless Silence from Titanic
Recognizes that direct wireless communication with Titanic has ceased before Carpathia reaches the scene.
Sources and further reading
- Royal Museums Greenwich — RMS Titanic research guide
Chronology of the sinking and Carpathia rescue. - United States Senate — Titanic disaster hearings
Official reference material including investigation of rescue events.