At the centre of criticism

“The weekend quiz item which revealed a strong Dundee link to the sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912 revived some controversy over the inaction by the vessel SS Californian which was built at the start of the 20th Century at the Caledon shipyard,” writes Fraser Elder.

“Launched in 1901 and serving the British Leyland line, the vessel completed its maiden voyage a year later and within a decade was to be at the centre of worldwide criticism directed towards Captain Stanley Lord and his 55-strong crew. A week before the tragedy The Californian set sail from London without passengers heading for Boston USA and, on the fateful night, was within 20 miles of the doomed liner and

the closest but failed to respond to radio signals. In contrast, the Cunard line’s RMS Carpathia received universal acclaim for its response in eventually saving 705 passengers from the stricken liner.

“In a full-scale inquiry in America it was concluded the SS Californian could have saved many lives and was publicly criticised for its inaction. No formal charges were brought against Captain Lord who vehemently campaigned against the findings until his death in 1962 aged 85.

“Thirty years later, the UK Government

Marine Accident Group reopened the case and, in a dramatic U-turn, it was announced no blame could be directed towards the captain and crew. The inquiry stated no other action by the SS Californian could have led to a different outcome.

“Three years after the disaster, the muchmaligned Dundee-built vessel was sunk by a German U-boat during First World War hostilities in the Mediterranean off the coast of Greece. In 1918, the Carpathia suffered a similar fate.”