Титаник

           Therewasakindofhazeinfrontoftheshipthecolourofthesea,butnothingcouldbedistinguishedfromthebridge.Mr.Murdoch’shandwasonthetelegraphimmediately,andhisvoicerappedouttheordertothequartermastertostarboardthehelm.Thewheelspunround,theansweringclickcameupfromthestartledengine-room;butbeforeanythingelsecouldhappentherewasaslightshock,andasplinteringsoundfromthebowsoftheshipasshecrashedintoyieldingice.Thatwasfollowedbyarubbing,jarring,grindingsensationalongherstarboardbilge,andapeakofdark-colourediceglidedpastclosealongside.

           AstheenginesstoppedinobediencetothetelegraphMr.Murdochturnedtheswitchesthatclosedthewater-tightdoors.CaptainSmithcamerunningoutofthechartroom.“Whatisit?”heasked.“Wehavestruckice,Sir.”“Closethewater-tightdoors.”“Itisalreadydone,Sir.”ThentheCaptaintookcommand.Heatoncesentamessagetothecarpentertosoundtheshipandcomeandreport;thequartermasterwentawaywiththemessage,andsetthecarpentertowork.CaptainSmithnowgaveaglanceatthecommutator,adialwhichshowstowhatextenttheshipisofftheperpendicular,andnoticedthatshecarrieda5deg.listtostarboard.Coollyfollowingaroutineasexactasthatwhichhewouldhaveobservedhadhebeenconningtheshipintodock,hegaveanumberofordersinrapidsuccession,afterfirstconsultingwiththeChiefEngineer.