1912 14th April
Iceberg Evasive Manoeuvre
Orders an emergency change of course and engine action when the iceberg is reported directly ahead.
RMS Titanic · permanent subject timeline
William Murdoch
First officer on watch when the iceberg was sighted. This page combines historical context with 8 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Titanic archive.
Historical context
William Murdoch: overview and significance
What happened?
William Murdoch was Titanic's first officer and was on the bridge when the iceberg warning arrived from the crow's nest. He ordered manoeuvres immediately before the collision and later worked on lifeboat evacuation.
Why was it important?
Murdoch's bridge actions became a central part of technical reconstruction of the collision. His later work at the boats also forms an important part of survivor testimony.
World History Database records
William Murdoch timeline
The records below are selected from the 241-record RMS Titanic archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1912
1912 14th April
Titanic Bridge Watch Begins
Takes charge of Titanic's bridge watch at 10 p.m. on the night of the collision.
1912 14th April
Titanic Collision Manoeuvre
Directs emergency manoeuvring after the lookout reports the iceberg ahead.
1912 14th April
Titanic Collision Watch
Has charge of Titanic's bridge watch when the iceberg is sighted.
1912 15th April
Collapsible C Evacuation
Supervises work around collapsible C during the final stages of the starboard evacuation.
1912 15th April
Emergency Lifeboat One Lowering
Helps supervise emergency lifeboat 1 as it is lowered from the starboard side.
1912 15th April
Lifeboat Five Lowering
Helps supervise the loading and lowering of lifeboat 5 on Titanic's starboard side.
1912 15th April
Lifeboat Seven Lowering
Supervises the starboard evacuation and helps send lifeboat 7 away, the first boat lowered from that side.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database Titanic records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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