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Over a century after the tragic sinking of the Titanic, which claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew members, new discoveries are shedding light on the events of that fateful night. Recent 3D scans of the Titanic shipwreck site are providing compelling evidence that exonerates First Officer William Murdoch, long associated with controversy surrounding the disaster.
Titanic First Officer William Murdoch Exonerated by 3D Scans
However, newly analyzed evidence has exonerated First Officer William Murdoch, long considered the Scottish scapegoat of the maritime disaster.
For decades, William Murdoch faced accusations of accepting bribes and neglecting his duties. Popular culture even propagated these claims, depicting him shooting a passenger in James Cameron’s film.
Now, more than a century after the catastrophe, detailed 3D scans of the Titanic wreck indicate that Officer Murdoch remained at his post, assisting passengers with evacuation efforts until his final moments.
Detailed Scans Reveal Final Moments
Magellan, a deep-sea scanning company, captured an extensive 715,000 photographs of the Titanic wreckage, located 12,500 feet beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
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In a new National Geographic documentary, Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson explains how this comprehensive digital model substantiates Officer Murdoch’s innocence.
The scans reveal that the davit – a crane-like device used for launching lifeboats – at Officer Murdoch’s station was prepared to deploy another lifeboat as the Titanic submerged.
This finding reinforces accounts from surviving crew members who testified that Murdoch, aged 39 at the time of his death, was swept away by a wave while launching a group of passengers to safety.
113 years after the Titanic sank, 3D scans have exonerated First Officer William Murdoch (pictured).
Magellan’s 715,000 photos of the Titanic wreck create a precise model, revealing new clues about the crew’s final actions.
Conflicting Witness Accounts and Hollywood’s Depiction
William McMaster Murdoch, born in Dalbeattie, Scotland, on February 28, 1873, had a distinguished career at sea before his appointment as First Officer on the Titanic.
He married Ada Florence Banks in 1907; their last parting was on April 10, 1912, when the Titanic departed Southampton.
When the Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912, Officer Murdoch oversaw the starboard side evacuation.
The events that unfolded thereafter have been a subject of considerable debate.
Some survivors reported seeing an officer shooting passengers attempting to board lifeboats and then taking his own life.
For years, this officer was presumed to be Murdoch, a portrayal amplified by James Cameron’s Titanic film.
However, conflicting testimonies challenged this negative portrayal.
Second Officer Charles Lightoller stated he witnessed Officer Murdoch being swept overboard as a wave washed over the deck.
Ewan Stewart portrays Officer Murdoch in James Cameron’s film, depicting him shooting a passenger and himself during the chaotic lifeboat launch.
The RMS Titanic, operated by White Star Line, tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg, resulting in approximately 1,517 fatalities out of 2,224 on board.
Lightoller’s account details Officer Murdoch preparing a final lifeboat when a sudden lurch of the ship caused a wave to engulf the deck.
Evidence Supports Heroic Actions
According to Lightoller’s account, Officer Murdoch had been preparing one final lifeboat when the ship pitched suddenly, sending a wave washing over the deck.
While some passengers managed to board the lifeboat, Officer Murdoch was swept away and lost at sea.
The latest, highly detailed 3D scan of the Titanic provides evidence corroborating Lightoller’s testimony.
Mr. Stephenson notes, ‘This davit is in the up position, indicating the crew was actively preparing a lifeboat for launch.’
He further adds, ‘This aligns with Second Officer Lightoller’s description.’
This suggests Officer Murdoch remained dedicated to launching lifeboats until the very end, never abandoning his duty.
‘This davit serves as silent testimony supporting Lightoller’s account because its upright position perfectly matches Lightoller’s description.’
Despite past misconceptions and accusations of misconduct, Officer Murdoch is now largely recognized for his efforts in saving numerous lives.
Contrary to orders prioritizing women and children, Officer Murdoch permitted men to board lifeboats as well.
Following the release of the Titanic film, Murdoch’s descendants and the community of Dalbeattie, Scotland, voiced concerns that the movie tarnished his heroic image.
Second Officer Charles Lightoller’s (back row, second from left) account supports Officer Murdoch’s heroism. Officer Murdoch (front row, far right) perished while launching a final lifeboat after being swept away. Captain Edward Smith and officers of the Titanic are pictured.
Subsequently, Fox Vice-President Scott Neeson apologized to the Murdoch family in Dalbeattie and donated £5,000 to Dalbeattie High School for the William Murdoch Memorial Prize.
RMS Titanic tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, in the Atlantic Ocean after colliding with an iceberg, resulting in approximately 1,517 deaths among the 2,224 people aboard.
Its wreckage rests 350 nautical miles off Newfoundland, Canada.
The fragile wreck is rapidly deteriorating and may vanish within 40 years. However, the digital scan now preserves its 2022 state.
The scans feature in a new documentary, ‘Titanic: The Digital Resurrection,’ by National Geographic and Atlantic Productions.
It builds upon initial digital scan images from Magellan Ltd, released two years prior, which offered a 3D reconstruction of the wreck.
Alongside the imagery, a new simulation reconstructs the RMS Titanic and the damage from that tragic night nearly 113 years ago.
Ship’s Breakup and Engineers’ Bravery Confirmed
Titanic broke apart just before its final submersion in the early hours of April 15, 1912; the bow and stern sections now lie 2,600 feet apart.
Scans reveal the Titanic was ‘violently torn’ apart, scattering debris across the seabed.
Detailed scans show broken windows 30ft above the waterline, supporting accounts of ice intrusion into cabins.
Scans also revealed an open valve (pictured), confirming steam flow to the ship’s generator and supporting reports of engineers working to maintain lights.
Analysis of debris on the seabed confirms the ship was ‘violently torn apart,’ not cleanly broken.
The scans also revealed an open valve, indicating continued steam flow to the Titanic’s electrical system.
This validates eyewitness accounts of engineers bravely maintaining power to keep the lights on.
Led by Cumbria-born engineer Joseph Bell, the team worked to fuel the furnaces.
They perished in the disaster, but their heroism provided crucial time for lifeboat deployment, saving numerous lives.
‘Titanic: The Digital Resurrection’ is broadcast on Tuesday, April 15th at 8 pm on the National Geographic Channel.
Remembering the Titanic Disaster
Over 1,500 Lives Lost in the Atlantic
The RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, after colliding with an iceberg.
Over 1,500 of the 2,224 passengers and crew perished, including Captain Edward Smith.
Among the passengers were some of the world’s wealthiest, such as John Jacob Astor IV, and Benjamin Guggenheim.
Constructed by Harland and Wolff in Belfast (1909-1912), the RMS Titanic was the largest ship of its time.
Millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim, heir to his family’s mining business, also perished, along with Isidor Straus.
The ‘unsinkable’ ship boasted amenities like a gym, libraries, pool, and luxurious cabins.
Outdated maritime regulations meant insufficient lifeboats for all on board.
After departing Southampton on April 10, 1912, Titanic stopped at Cherbourg and Queenstown before heading to New York.
On April 14, 1912, four days into the voyage, it struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm local time.
James Moody, on night watch, received the warning: ‘Iceberg, dead ahead.’
By 2:20 am, the ship sank, taking hundreds, including Moody, with it.
Despite distress calls and flares, the RMS Carpathia, the first rescue ship, arrived nearly two hours later, rescuing over 700 people.
The wreck was discovered in two parts on the ocean floor in 1985.