“Murdoch…expiated his negligence, if negligence it was, by shooting himself
within sight of all alleged victims huddled in lifeboats or struggling in the icy seas…
Murdoch, the first officer, who was on the bridge in charge of the Titanic
when she struck the iceberg, shot himself when
convinced the vessel was doomed."
The anonymity of the crew members does not inspire confidence in their testimony, since details as to their background and location are clearly outstanding. In fact, their statement regarding Murdoch is not in the form of a direct quote from the two crewmen, but rather a summary provided by the “editor” of Sinking of the Titanic: Eyewitness Accounts (1912):
“Murdoch…expiated his negligence, if negligence it was, by shooting himself within sight of all alleged victims huddled in lifeboats or struggling in the icy seas….. Murdoch, the first officer, who was on the bridge in charge of the Titanic when she struck the iceberg, shot himself when convinced the vessel was doomed.” (33.)
Accompanying this statement is a detailed testimony too long to reprint in full. It contains a fairly accurate view of events, several minor errors and one major inaccuracy that seems misplaced in what is otherwise a competent account: a supposed second collision with the iceberg! The details as to time of collision, the nature of the iceberg, the men on duty in the bridge, lifeboat specifications and other such details seem consistent with their positions as members of crew. One or two errors and lack of identity counterbalance this. (Sinking of the Titanic: Eyewitness Accounts p.57-62 (33.))
