Question
Here is the question : WHY DIDN’T THE SHIP’S LOOKOUTS SPOT THE ICEBERG SOONER?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- They had no binoculars
- They were sleeping
- They were inside
- Bright lights onboard
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
In order to keep an eye out for potential threats, such as icebergs and ships, lookouts were stationed along the coast. Although the ship was equipped with binoculars, the crewmember who had been transferred to another vessel at the eleventh hour had inadvertently taken the keys to the storage locker with them when they left. Lookout Fred Fleet supposedly responded, “Enough to get out of the way” when asked how much sooner they would have spotted the iceberg if they had binoculars.
One of the key factors contributing to the tragic collision between the RMS Titanic and the iceberg was the lack of binoculars available to the ship’s lookouts. This unfortunate circumstance played a significant role in hindering the early detection of the iceberg, ultimately leading to the devastating outcome of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.
The lookouts stationed aboard the Titanic were responsible for keeping a vigilant watch over the ship’s surroundings, scanning the horizon for any potential hazards. Their primary task was to spot icebergs, which posed a significant threat to the safety of the vessel. However, due to a series of unforeseen events, the lookouts found themselves without the essential tool of binoculars, severely limiting their ability to detect potential dangers.
The absence of binoculars can be traced back to the last-minute crew changes that occurred before the Titanic’s departure. David Blair, the second officer who had initially been assigned to the ship, was unexpectedly replaced by Henry Wilde. In the process of this exchange, Blair inadvertently took the key to the locker containing the binoculars with him, leaving the lookouts on duty without access to this crucial equipment.
As the Titanic sailed through the frigid waters of the North Atlantic on that fateful night of April 14, 1912, the lookouts strained their eyes to spot any signs of danger. However, without binoculars, their visibility was limited, making it significantly more challenging to identify objects in the distance. The lack of magnification provided by binoculars meant that the iceberg, looming ominously in the darkness, remained hidden until it was too late.
The absence of binoculars was a significant disadvantage for the lookouts, as they relied solely on their naked eyes to scan the vast expanse of the ocean. Even under ideal conditions, spotting an iceberg in the distance without binoculars would have been challenging. The absence of this vital equipment further diminished their chances of detecting the looming danger in a timely manner.
It is important to note that the absence of binoculars was not the sole reason for the tragedy. Other factors, such as the calm and clear conditions that night, which made the iceberg more difficult to spot, and the lack of communication between the lookouts and the bridge, also contributed to the delayed awareness of the impending collision. However, the absence of binoculars undoubtedly played a significant role in impeding the lookouts’ ability to detect the iceberg sooner.
The consequences of not having binoculars became tragically apparent when the lookout, Frederick Fleet, finally spotted the iceberg directly ahead of the ship. Despite sounding the alarm and the crew’s swift efforts to change the course and slow down the Titanic, the collision was unavoidable. The iceberg scraped along the starboard side of the ship, tearing through multiple compartments and seali