24. The Millionaire’s Boat
Lifeboat Number 1, only held a 12 passengers when it was lowered into the water, 5 of which were first class passengers aboard the Titanic. While 7 crew members were on the boat, so was Sir Cosmo and Lady Lucy Duff Gordon. It was named the “Millionaire’s Boat” by the press and was accused of ignoring cries for help from the people in the water.
One Titanic Survivor, Jack B. Thayer, was quoted as saying:
The partly filled lifeboat standing by about 100 yards away never came back. Why on Earth they never came back is a mystery. How could any human being fail to heed those cries.
Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon later gave each of the 7 crewmembers aboard the lifeboat 5 pounds. He claimed the payment was to compensate them for the loss of their kit, but he was heavily criticized for the payment. Some felt it was a payoff for keeping the two first class passengers alive.