Captain Arthur Henry Rostron - Brief Portrait of a Hero

"Rostron worked on multiple Cunard liners, becoming First Office of LUSITANIA 1907. He then took the helm of CARPATHIA as Captain in January of 1912"

Sir Arthur Henry Rostron

Shortly before midnight on April 14th, 1912 CARPATHIA Marconi Operator Harold Cottom was undressing for bed, still with headsets on, waiting for a reply from nearby Allen liner PARISIAN.  As a courtesy Cottom, who heard press communications coming from Cape Cod for TITANIC, called the White Star Liner asking him if he was aware that Cape Cod was sending messages for him. Back came a stunning reply that changed history: “Come at once!”  Cottam, along with First Officer Horace Dean, burst into Captain Arthur Henry Rostron's cabin delivering the incomprehensible news that TITANIC had struck an iceberg and was sending out distress calls.

Harold Cottam

Rostron, known to be a solid and responsible Captain with twenty-seven years of experience, joined the Cunard Line seventeen years earlier in 1895. Originally Fourth Officer on the UMBRIA, Rostron worked on multiple Cunard liners, becoming First Officer of LUSITANIA 1907. He then took the helm of CARPATHIA as Captain in January of 1912, just a few months before this collision with fate.  Without hesitation, Rostron turned around the Eastbound CARPATHIA steaming its way towards the last reported coordinates for TITANIC of latitude 41.46 longitude North 50.14 West.


With all the focus and strength of a true hero, Captain Rostron worked through a massive preparation check list he carefully coordinated with his most capable crew.  The following excerpt, from my new play 41W 50N  adapted from actual 1912 TITANIC Senate Hearings held by Senator William Alden Smith, show in Rostron’s own words how he wasted no time preparing for whatever circumstances awaited at the scene of disaster:

Mr. ROSTRON

Have all hands on call to have coffee and tea ready to serve out to all our crew, in addition to each saloon along with blankets in saloons, at the gangways, and some for the boats. We must see all rescued are cared for and that all their immediate wants are attended to. My cabin and all officials' cabins are to be given up. Smoke rooms, library, dining rooms, and so forth should be utilized to accommodate the survivors.  All spare berths in steerage are to be utilized for Titanic's passengers. Have all our own steerage passengers grouped together.   

Mr. HUGHES 

May I suggest, Sir, that all stewards should be placed in each alleyway. This will reassure our own passengers, should they inquire about noise in getting our boats out or the working of engines.  

Mr. ROSTRON 

To all I strictly enjoined the necessity for order, discipline and quietness and to avoid all confusion. Hankinson, I will need you and all officers, all the hands, to prepare and swing out all boats. All gangway doors to be opened with Electric sprays in each gangway and over side. Have a Boatswains' chair at each gangway, for getting up sick or wounded. Also, pilot ladders and canvas ash bags to be at each gangway which will be of great assistance in getting the infants and children aboard. Lastly, rockets to be fired at 2:45 a. m. and every quarter of an hour after to reassure Titanic.

One of the more historic images of Captain Rostron shows him receiving a “Loving Cup” from Margaret “Unsinkable Molly” Brown for his noble actions in saving the TITANIC survivors.  Rostron eventually took command of several of the greatest Cunard Liners, including the BERENGARIA and his favourite the MAURETANIA, being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1926.  In 1928 Rostron became Commodore of the Cunard fleet, one of the highest honors which, in modern day, has included some familiar names such as Commodore Ronald Warwick and Commodore Bernard Warner.

 It is written that Rostron was confirmed to sail on the MAURETANIA’s final voyage to the breakers, but could not set foot upon her when the emotion became overwhelming. Rostron chose to stay landside and bid adieu to his beloved lady. Sir Arthur Henry Rostron was laid to rest 4th November 1940 at the age of 71. Coming soon, more profiles of the key players connected with TITANIC on that fateful night of April 14th/15th 1912.... 


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