Thomas Andrews may have been wrong about the time it would take for the Titanic to sink but nonetheless it was a certainty she would founder. Not that any of the passengers would have known this at the time - in fact the passengers were quite ill-informed of the ships status at any time, let alone a time in which their vessel was sinking.
At approximetley 12:10 it was ordered that the first distress signal be sent out - using the Titanic's estimated position and call number (MGY) Jack phillips began typing CQD (the distress signal of the time). Only a little later did his assistent Harold Bride joke that he should use SOS, the new distress signal of the time, because "it might be your last chance to use it." Though they like the many passengers on board believed the Titanic to be in no true danger.
The distress call was replied by three ships though only one was even relativley close - the Carpathia. And this ship was yet still not close at all, or at least not close enough for the Titanic.
Finally at 12:05, soon after Thomas Andrews had given the news to Captain Smith, the order was given to uncover the lifeboats. They had 16 regular wooden lifboats and 4 collapsible boats labelled collapsable A, collapsible B, collapsible C and finally collapsible D. The regular lifeboats were labelled lifeboat 12, lifeboat 7 lifboat 3 and so on.
The Titanic's passengers lay asleep in there beds yet still, perhaps not even having opened an eye during the time of the collision - but there restful sleep would soon be interupted by a voice. And maybe this voice would seem to be lying for this was the Titanic - but it was saying one thing loud and clear.
"Up on deck captain's orders bring lifejackets no exceptions."
And if you did not heed this voice's warning then the only punishment would be on you.
