Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller Quotes in A Night to Remember (1958)

Mrs. Sylvia Lightoller: [as Lightoller is preparing to leave for the voyage] Do you think they'll promote you to First Officer after this trip, Bertie?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Well, that depends whether they keep old Wilde on, or not.

Mrs. Sylvia Lightoller: You were First on the "Majestic".

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Ah, but that was *temporary*!

Mrs. Sylvia Lightoller: Don't you mind?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No. Bill Murdoch's the one with his nose out of joint this trip. Ambitious fellow, is Bill.

Mrs. Sylvia Lightoller: So are you. You *know* you are.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Well, I'd rather be Second on the "Titanic" than First, or even Chief on any *other* ship*

Mrs. Margaret 'Molly' Brown: [looks around Lifeboat 6 as it's being lowered] Hey, we've only got one sailor with us. That's not enough to manage this boat.

[Calls up to the Boat Deck as other women look around and confirm her observation]

Mrs. Margaret 'Molly' Brown: Hold it there.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [to seamen at falls] Stop lowering.

[Calls down to the boat]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: What's the matter?

Mrs. Margaret 'Molly' Brown: Hey son. We only got one sailor in this boat!

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [Looks around Boat Deck for any available seamen] Are there any spare hands here?

Maj. Arthur Peuchen: [Looks around, notices there are no seamen around, and steps forward] I'll go, if you like.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Are you a sailor?

Maj. Arthur Peuchen: I'm a yachtsman.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [Indicates lowering ropes for the boat] If you're seaman enough to slip down that lifeline, you can go.

[Yells down to boat]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Below.

Hitchens: Sir.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Let's have that line.

[the lifeline is swung towards the side of the ship. Lightoller grabs it after a couple of tries and holds it for Peuchen]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Right. Good luck.

[Peuchen grabs the line and swings out over the edge. Lightoller watches as he lowers himself down the rope and safely into the boat. Once he's in safely, Lightoller addresses the seamen at the falls]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Lower away together.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [after seeing Joughin step out of a boat to give a lady his place] What's the matter? Aren't you in charge of this boat?

Chief Baker Charles Joughin: Oh, I'm no seaman, sir.

[Indicates another member of the kitchen staff who's now at the helm]

Chief Baker Charles Joughin: Joe can manage just as well. Ladies first, eh sir?

[Lightoller nods approvingly at Joughin's selflessness]

Martin Gallagher: [on top of the upturned lifeboat] There's one back here dead, sir.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Are you certain?

Mr. Murphy: Yes sir.

Martin Gallagher: We are, sir.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Right. Lower him over the side.

[gives orders on trimming the boat as the body is lowered over]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Lean left. Lean left. Gently. Gently.

Man on upturned lifeboat: All right for the baker to come aboard now sir?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes. Pull him in.

[gives balancing orders again as Joughin is pulled on]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Lean right. Lean right. Steady.

Chief Baker Charles Joughin: [after being pulled on] Thank you, sir.

Col. Archibald Gracie: [looks at rockets being fired by the Carpathia as he and Lightoller sit in the stern of a lifeboat] Will that be the Carpathia?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [silently nods in the affirmative]

Col. Archibald Gracie: Aren't you glad to see her?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes I'm glad. But then, *I'm* still *alive*.

Col. Archibald Gracie: If only she'd been nearer.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: There are quite a lot of "ifs" about it; aren't there, Colonel?

[turns and shouts to another lifeboat they're towing]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Keep up, quartermaster. Keep that line slack.

[turns to address Colonel Gracie again]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: If we'd been steaming a few knots slower, or if we'd sighted that berg a few seconds earlier, we might not even have struck. If we'd been carrying enough lifeboats for the size of the ship instead of just enough to meet the regulations, things would have been different again, wouldn't they?

Col. Archibald Gracie: Maybe. But *you* have nothing to reproach yourself with. You've done all any man could and more. You're not...

[stops himself]

Col. Archibald Gracie: I was about to say, you're not *God*, Mister Lightoller.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: *No* seaman ever thinks he is! I've been at sea since I was a *boy*. I've been in sail. I've even been *shipwrecked* before. I *know* what the sea can *do*! But, *this* is different-!

Col. Archibald Gracie: Because we hit an iceberg?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No- Because we were so *sure*! Because even though it's *happened*, it's *still* unbelieveable! I don't think *I'll* ever feel *sure* again, about *anything*!

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [comes onto Carpathia's bridge] Sir?

Capt. Arthur Rostron: We're at the place now. I thought you'd like to see for yourself.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Oh yes. Thank you, sir.

Capt. Arthur Rostron: We've only found one body, I'm afraid. The rest must have been carried further on by the current. Of course, we'll go on searching for survivors until we turn back to New York.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes sir. How many...?

Capt. Arthur Rostron: The purser's checked the figures now. We have on board 705 survivors. Several of those in the boats were dead, I'm afraid.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: 1500 lost.

Capt. Arthur Rostron: That's right, yes.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Listen to this, Sylvia.

[reads from magazine]

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: The new White Star Liner "RMS Titanic", the largest vessel in the world. It is not only in size, but also in the luxury of her appointments that the "Titanic" takes first place among the big steamers of the world. By the provision of Vinolia Auto Toilert Soap for her First Class passengers the "Titanic" also leads as offering a higher standard of toilet luxury and comfort at sea.

[laughs]

Mrs. Sylvia Lightoller: Let me see.

[takes paper]

Mr. Bull, man on train: [discussing the ship] You're joining her at Liverpool, I take it?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: No sir, Belfast. Then we sail down to Southampton.

Mr. Bull, man on train: Ahhh, how I envy you. The newspapers say she's a virtual floating city. Symbol of progress; of man's final victory over nature and the elements.

Thomas Andrews: Mr. Lightoller, why are the boats being launched half full?

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Not now, Mr. Andrews.

Thomas Andrews: Look, 20 or so in a boat built for 65? And I saw one boat with only 12, 12!

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Well, we weren't sure of the weight, Mr. Andrews. These boats may buckle.

Thomas Andrews: Rubbish! They were tested in Belfast with the weight of 70 men! Now, fill these boats, Mr. Lightoller, for God's sake, man!

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Please, I need more women and children, please!

Smith: Clear.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes. I don't think I've ever seen such a flat calm.

Smith: Like a mill pond, not a breath of wind.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: It will make the bergs harder to see... with no breaking water at the base.

Smith: Hmm. Well, I'm off. Mantain speed and heading, Mr. Lightoller.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: Yes, sir.

Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller: [pointing a gun to passengers pushing to the front of the line and get on the lifeboat] Get back, I say, or I'll shoot you all like dogs! Keep order here! Keep order I say. Mr. Lowe, man this boat.