Charles Victor Groves
Nearby Ship Observation
Observes a nearby passenger vessel while Californian is stopped for ice and tries to signal it by Morse lamp.
Titanic quick answer
What happened with SS Californian during the Titanic disaster?
Californian stopped in field ice, sent Titanic an ice warning, and officers later observed white rockets. Its wireless operator had ended his watch before Titanic's distress traffic. Californian's actions became a major subject of the 1912 inquiries and later official reappraisal.
Answer in context
Ice, rockets, wireless silence and the controversy examined by later inquiries. 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.
Cyril Evans
Californian Ice Warning
Sends Titanic a wireless message warning that Californian is stopped among ice.
Captain Stanley Lord
Californian Stops for Ice
Stops Californian for the night after encountering a field of ice in the North Atlantic.
Captain Stanley Lord
Californian Boston Passage
Commands Californian on her westbound voyage from London to Boston when the Titanic disaster occurs.
Captain Stanley Lord
Large Icebergs Logged
Records large icebergs encountered during Californian's passage on the evening before Titanic sinks.
Captain Stanley Lord
Additional Iceberg Sighted
Records another large iceberg and further ice visible to the southward during the evening passage.
Captain Stanley Lord
Californian Stops in Field Ice
Stops and reverses Californian after the ship reaches field ice extending across her intended course.
Captain Stanley Lord
Californian Head Turned East Northeast
Turns Californian's head toward the east-northeast after stopping for the night among the ice.
Captain Stanley Lord
Nearby Steamer Report Received
Receives reports that a steamer is approaching while Californian remains stopped among the ice.
Captain Stanley Lord
Titanic Proximity Discussed with Evans
Asks wireless operator Cyril Evans what ships are nearby and is told that Titanic appears to be close.
Captain Stanley Lord
Stopped in Ice Message Ordered
Orders Evans to advise Titanic that Californian is stopped and surrounded by ice.
Cyril Evans
Antillian Ice Report Transmitted
Transmits Californian's report to Antillian describing large icebergs seen near the ship's track.
Cyril Evans
Titanic Intercepts Ice Report
Learns that Titanic has intercepted Californian's wireless ice report sent to Antillian.
Cyril Evans
Ice Report Offered to Titanic
Offers Titanic the iceberg information after noticing that the liner is within wireless range.
Cyril Evans
Titanic Ice Report Acknowledgment
Receives confirmation that Titanic's operator has already copied Californian's earlier iceberg report.
Cyril Evans
Titanic Nearby Identification
Tells Captain Lord that Titanic appears to be near Californian based on the strength of the wireless signals.
Cyril Evans
Stopped and Surrounded by Ice Message
Transmits to Titanic that Californian is stopped and surrounded by ice.
Cyril Evans
Titanic Keep Out Reply
Receives Titanic's curt reply while her operator is working Cape Race traffic.
Cyril Evans
Cape Race Traffic Monitored
Continues hearing Titanic communicate with Cape Race before ending his wireless watch for the night.
Cyril Evans
Wireless Watch Ends Before Distress
Turns in for the night before Titanic begins transmitting her distress calls.
Sources and further reading
- UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch — SS Californian/Titanic
Official UK page for the 1992 reappraisal of Californian's role. - International Maritime Organization — Titanic and SOLAS
Summarises the disaster and later continuous distress-watch requirements.