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Guest
Author: Ernest Barteldes |
Copyright ã 1999 By Ernest Barteldes
Dr. John H. Watson, a large man with a bushy moustache, physician-turned-chronicler had not been a frequent visitor to his old friend Sherlock Holmes lately. Ever since their last adventure together, later published as His Last Bow, a seasonal visit was the most that the great detective would receive from his biographer, as the sleuth once wrote.
It was one chilly winter afternoon in 1916 that the aged doctor took a break from his practice and writings to Strand magazine and travelled to Sussex to visit his former Baker Street companion, now retired and living in a farm, devoted to raising bees. The old friends walked about the farm, inspected the honey-making insects, and went into the untidy, badly lit sitting-room, clumsily furnished, as Sherlock Holmes was used to. The doctor giggled as he noticed his old friend hadn't changed with time. The two met sat in easy chairs opposite each other, lighting their pipes. They chatted about the war and final collaborations together, and then, sipping brandy and amidst a cloud of smoke produced by their now famed sailor’s tobacco, they downshifted to recent facts, and then Watson commented, looking out the small window towards Holmes' flowery garden.
"Holmes, I could never get over the loss of the Titanic."
The detective lifted his eyebrows.
"Any friends perished aboard the great ship, Watson?"
Watson sighed, after drawing some more smoke from his pipe. "Some former patients, a few acquaintances, but no actual friends. However, one thing I cannot understand is how a ship of that magnitude, with a star crew like she had could simply hit an iceberg and go down as it did."
Sherlock Holmes giggled.
"Ships are made of steel, Watson. And remember, not long ago, her even larger sister, the Britannic met a watery grave as well.
Watson seemed disturbed by his friend. He grunted and continued:
"Holmes, I believe she hit a mine. The Titanic was under completely different circumstances."
The detective’s fine features marked by his hawk-like nose got serious, almost sombre. "How can you be so sure, Watson?"
Watson got up and paced nervously about the room, annoyed by his friend’s remarks.
"Are you still taking that seven percent solution, Holmes? The war only started two years ago!"
Sherlock Holmes could not help but laugh.
"Watson, you still amuse me even after all these years. Of course I know the war only started recently. What I meant with my question is how you could be so sure that the loss of the Titanic was not an act of war - not necessarily this war."
"Holmes, I'm sorry, but I believe I am not following you."
" Have a seat, Watson. Very well, now. Remember that a few years ago the British liners, specially The White Star Line, were going through a crisis due to competition with competing foreign companies, such as Cunard?
"Yes. Pray continue."
"At that time, Cunard had the fastest and most comfortable vessel in the North Atlantic line, the Mauritanea. White Star then, to face that kind of competition, began building, at Harland & Wolff, the three largest ships of our generation: The Olympic, poor Titanic and finally the Gigantic"
"You mean Britannic."
"Gigantic was her original name. They changed their minds about that name after Titanic was lost.
Sherlock Holmes continued.
"Not too long before the disaster, Captain Smith commanded the Adriatic on her maiden voyage, and after the crossing, he told the press that 'modern ships were virtually unsinkable.'"
"The fool", scoffed Watson.
"Watson, you must remember that for forty years there had been no serious maritime disasters. Smith himself was a child when the last one happened. After a Cunard liner which I can't recall actually rammed a berg and survived, naturally the public figured that Smith was right after all."
"But how could the engineers have such a belief?
"They did not, Watson. They were, of course, aware that the ships were safe, but not fully unsinkable."
"Are you trying to say that the press was responsible for that general belief?"
"The press, my dear friend, can do wonders sometimes. They can create myths and destroy reputations at the stroke of a pen. You have done that yourself."
"May I inquire what you are talking about?" Watson had a hurt tone to his voice.
"Watson, do calm down. You might want to sip some brandy now.
The retired detective served a large shot of brandy to his friend, and went on.
"You know how I feel about your overrated writings about our adventures together and of my detection skills. You have created a myth, which, as you will someday agree, has become larger than my true self."
"Are you saying I exaggerate in my writings?"
"In a way, yes, you do. However, the point is that you have created a legend which my work alone would be unable to do. That is also true about the press' general attitude towards Titanic. They were the ones who declared her unsinkable, not her builders."
"I understand."
"Anyhow, the press talked a lot about the Olympic, and when White Star announced the maiden voyage of her sister ship, there was great anxiety over her. Some reputable papers, dear me, quoted Titanic as 'fully unsinkable.'"
"That I know, Holmes", remarked Watson, "But I still do not understand where you are trying to get to."
"Aha! I thought you would never ask. My theory is that the great ship's collision with that iceberg was not totally an accident."
Watson was appalled.
"Are you trying to tell me that you think someone deliberately murdered all those unfortunate souls? That is impossible!"
"Improbable, Watson, however very possible. I don't think a disaster was intended in that case. I believe, though, the sinking was just an unfortunate miscalculation."
"You confuse me, Holmes."
"I understand that, Watson. Your mind is not used to the constant activity mine has been accustomed to. Anyhow, I will continue with my theory."
"Please do."
"The ship's owners, American millionaire J.P. Morgan and Bruce Ismay wanted all the publicity the ship could get. The Olympic had already set the speed record for the Atlantic crossing. Titanic being a bit longer, it would be difficult to match that speed. Perhaps the folks at White Star felt that the best publicity for their new ship would be to prove that she was indeed unsinkable. What better publicity would they have? Think of it, Watson! Secretly put their new vessel in a condition in which any other would founder. Have her hit a berg, and reach its destination damaged, but safe! What a remarkable feat it would have been! An unsinkable ship, through and through, just as promised!"
"It is an interesting point of view, Holmes, but how could they take that risk with Smith's collaboration?"
"According to some survivors' accounts, Bruce Ismay, as the ship's owner, was constantly shifting from the position of mere passenger to commander. He was, some stated, constantly shouting orders, clearly going over Captain Smith's authority. As employee of White Star line, the late captain possibly looked the other way when such things happened. Also, there are two other aspects that were ignored at the time which got me wondering."
"Does it get worse, Holmes? Honestly, my old friend, weren't the investigations both at home and in America deep enough?"
"Yes they were, Watson. However, both official inquiries' point was to find who was to blame for the terrible loss, goals objectives simply put and well achieved. What they did not consider was the possibility of a conspiracy."
"Conspiracy, Holmes?"
"Yes, Watson. Two elements were made public during the hearings, but were largely ignored as evidence for that, possibly due to the grief that involved the nation at the time."
"Pray tell me, which were they?"
"You might remember that several ships sent wireless messages to the Titanic warning her crew about icebergs present in the area."
"Yes. I read that they were largely ignored."
"Well, Watson, one of the last messages never reached the bridge."
The doctor was impressed. "Is that so?"
"That last ice warning about a field of ice right ahead of her position was received by Bruce Ismay himself and duly put in his pocket. He reportedly had it with him after the sinking, as he sat safely in a lifeboat."
"Good heavens, Holmes! Why did he keep it? Why didn't he forward it to the bridge?"
"Because possibly he didn't want to," Sherlock Holmes replied coldly. "That was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for, if I am correct: to send his unsinkable ship directly to an ice field. And of course, there's another element."
"By Jove, Holmes, what is it?"
"There was a passenger who testified at the hearings that stated Ismay had pressed Captain Smith for more speed, in haste to match the Olympic's record and hit the headlines of the morning papers, making it cheap and profitable publicity for White Star Line."
"That would be correct Holmes," reasoned Watson, "but what connection does that have with a conspiracy?"
"A conspiracy, my friend, is a deliberate, premeditated attempt to commit a crime by a group of persons."
Holmes lit his pipe. "Now let's speculate a trifle upon the facts we have, Watson. We have a vessel on her maiden voyage with the owner and her builder on board. To have these on board would have been enough pressures upon the crew. Then that last minute change in the officers-"
"I'm sorry, Holmes, but there is something I know nothing of. What 'change' are you talking about?"
"Ah, Watson. That was another fact which was mostly ignored by the general public but vital for my private theory. Moments before leaving Southampton, there was a change in part of the crew, being the most important one of second officer Blair for Lightoller."
"Pray tell me, Holmes, what that has to do with anything."
"It's elementary! The second officer who was substituted had placed certain safety equipment, such as binoculars for the lookouts (which were reported as missing before the collision) in a place, which only he knew. Such was the haste in the substitution that no-one had time to inquire where the equipment had been kept. My theory is that someone didn't want first officer Murdoch to know where the binoculars were, thus increasing the risk of a collision."
"Good heavens, Holmes! If you are right, the whole subject could become a national scandal!"
"Yes, yes, Watson. Listen, and I will give you in whole my personal thoughts about the whole business."
"I apologise, Holmes. Do continue."
Sherlock Holmes got to his feet, discarded his used tobacco and re-filled his pipe, lighting it.
"My dear Watson, here's what I think. As you know, my theories are based on the principle that one you dismiss the impossibilities, all remaining possibilities, however improbable, can be the truth."
Watson smiled. "Yes, Holmes. I've spent the best of my years listening to precisely that theory."
"Very well. I believe the owners of the Titanic did not intend to cause the ship to founder. However, I believe, they did have the intention to have her go through some fashion of casualty. You see, to have the greatest ship ever built suffer and accidents and survive would gain wide press coverage. However, what kind of accident would be possible? Ramming another vessel was out of the question, and so was hitting known submerged rocks. That would have needed Captain Smith's collaboration, and he would never have agreed with such procedures, at least in his final crossing. They would have to find a way to do it without Smith's help. How could they? Well, they knew there would be a number of icebergs floating around the North Atlantic in the spring. They were also aware that in case the ship sailed too fast, she would most likely collide with a berg, since the crew wouldn't be able to avoid it. Finally, of course, shipping companies established ridiculously tight schedules for their vessels. All one had to do was to ensure this unfortunate combination would cause and unfortunate and manageable 'accident', but with favourable profits and publicity."
Watson rose an eyebrow. "Profits, Holmes?"
"Of course! Supposing Titanic had actually survived the collision, everyone would wish to board the unsinkable vessel and her sisters, thus raising fare prices for White Star, since tickets would never be enough for them. And there's also the fact that any damage to cargo or ship would be fully insured..."
"A fact that led many insurers to bankruptcy," added Watson.
"Indeed it did, Watson. Anyhow, as we speculate, let us draw an imaginary picture of those hours before all those poor lives were lost."
"Do continue."
"As we all know today, many vessels sent ice warning to Titanic that fateful day. However, the most important message was given to Ismay, as I said before. Later, the Californinan sent another one, but was interrupted."
"Wasn't that the ship that was nearby as Titanic sank?
"Yes, Watson. Harold Bride, Titanic's wireless operator, had told the Californinan's telegraph operator to 'shut up' after that last message, once he was busy with the passengers' private affairs. It is possible that Ismay himself had given Bride that order, both to ease the flow of passenger marconigrams and to stem any future incoming ice warnings that might reach the crew. Then we have that possible conversation between Ismay and Smith, who demanded the captain to increase speed."
"Great Scott! Do you think, Holmes, that smith was aware of the bergs on the way?"
"Most likely. Icebergs are common in that time of year. Anyhow, he ordered more speed, believing that if any were actually spotted, they could be easily avoided.
"Quite a silly notion, if I may say so," remarked Watson.
"Not if you consider Smith's experience. As you know, it was due to the captain's skill that a collision with the New York was avoided in Southampton. 'Silly' is hardly an appropriate label for the captain's decisions. You see, Watson. He was under severe pressure at that time."
"I understand."
"Let us move on to that last night."
"I understand the sea was very calm then," said Watson.
"So it was. 'Like a millpond', as someone quoted Captain Smith later.That would obviously make icebergs hard to spot, especially with the binoculars missing. If a conspiracy was actually planned, everything was running very smoothly. At 11:30 PM, the lookouts saw the berg, and the officers tried in vain to port round it, causing the gash we know caused the ship to founder."
"Indeed a bitter end to the World's greatest vessel", said Watson, in a sad tone.
Sherlock Holmes looked out the window, and for a moment silently gazed at the wide variety of flowers on his garden.
"This is not yet the end, Watson."
"But Holmes, the ship hit the berg and went down. What else is there to say?"
"Well, let us picture the events immediately after the collision. Both Ismay and the ship's engineer, Thomas Andrews, inspected the ship after she hit the berg. It was then that both would proudly announce that although damaged, the unsinkable Titanic was safe. However, as we know, after the crew had sorted out the damage, Andrews actually told Captain Smith that his ship was going down, since the first five compartments had been flooded - Titanic was doomed. White Star's conspiracy had backfired terribly, with the cost of 1,500 lives. Technically, if my theories are correct, it was a case of mass murder."
Watson stood up and started pacing around the room.
"Good heavens, Holmes! If you are right, the authorities must be warned! Someone must be punished for this terrible genocide!"
Holmes smiled.
"My dear Watson, please sit down. You see, as for this pitiful situation, I'm afraid nothing can be done about it."
Watson was baffled.
"What?"
"To prove what I have to say, I need evidence. Everything I have said comes from mere speculation based on actual facts. Most of the players that could give me the answers are no longer living, and my biggest piece of evidence lies several miles under the sea."
"What about Ismay? He still lives!"
The ageing detective smiled, satisfied by his friend's reasoning.
"Ah, Watson. He has been punished in a way or another. He is no longer chairman of White Star line, and society has execrated him due to the fact that he wasn't man enough to go down with his ship. He now lives in absolute seclusion. Anyhow, I believe that British shipping and the families of those lost have suffered enough. No one would benefit from learning that History's worst tragedy at sea was possibly a heinous crime. It is wiser to leave my conclusions unknown and let History itself take its course.
Watson nodded silently, with a peaceful expression . The retired detective then stood up.
"Let us check upon the bees, Watson. You might want to take home a jar of my great Sussex honey."
"Elementary," said Watson, smiling.
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