Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam Quotes in A Night to Remember (1958)

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [sees Cottam coming onto the bridge with a wireless update] Oh, what is it, Cottam?

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: From the "Titanic", sir. Her engine room's flooded and she's sinking by the head. Her wireless operator says he won't have the power to transmit for much longer. Her captain wants to know how long we'll be.

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [sadly looks at clock in the wheelhouse] Tell them, another two hours.

[Cottam wordlessly goes to relay this bad news back to "Titanic"]

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: [bursts into Captain Rostron's cabin] Sir! SIR!

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [waking up with a start] What the devil's going...?

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [rolls over and sees Cottam]

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [annoyed] Haven't you learned to *knock* before coming in here?

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: It's a distress call, sir! From the Titanic. She's *sinking*!

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [gives Rostron the paper with the distress message]

Officer: [comes into cabin to apologize for the intrusion] I'm sorry sir, I...

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [reads message and gives Cottam a long look] Mister Dean, turn the ship 'round. Head northwest. I'll work a course out for you in a minute.

Officer: Aye, aye sir.

Officer: [rushes away to carry out the orders]

Capt. Arthur Rostron: [gets out of bed] Now, Cottam, you're sure this is the *Titanic*?

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Yes sir.

Capt. Arthur Rostron: You're certain?

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Absolutely.

Capt. Arthur Rostron: All right. Check back. Find out *everything* you can. Tell them we're coming as *fast* as *possible*!

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: Yes sir!

Wireless Operator Harold Thomas Cottam: [rushes back to his wireless equipment as Rostron goes to get dressed]