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The Man Who Sank Titanic: The Troubled Life of Quartermaster Robert Hichens
With previously unpublished research and family photographs, this book by Hichens' granddaughter sets the record straight about the Titanic quartermaster who steered into an iceberg and kept control of a lifeboat
Robert Hichens has gone down in history as the man who was given the famous order to steer the Titanic away from the iceberg and failed. A key witness at both U.S. and British Inquiries, he returned to a livelihood where fellow crewmen considered him jinxed. But Robert had a long career and was a hardworking, ambitious seaman. A fisherman at 19, he quickly became a junior officer in the merchant navy. In World War II he was part of a cargo ship convoy on route to Africa where his ship dodged mines, U-boats and enemy aircraft. To Robert, being at sea was everything but the dark memories of the Titanic were never far away and in 1933 a failed murder attempt after a bitter feud nearly cost Robert his life. Here Robert's great-granddaughter Sally Nilsson seeks to set the record straight and reveal the true character of the man her family knew. This is one man's story of survival, betrayal and determination.
Robert Hichens has gone down in history as the man who was given the famous order to steer the Titanic away from the iceberg and failed. A key witness at both U.S. and British Inquiries, he returned to a livelihood where fellow crewmen considered him jinxed. But Robert had a long career and was a hardworking, ambitious seaman. A fisherman at 19, he quickly became a junior officer in the merchant navy. In World War II he was part of a cargo ship convoy on route to Africa where his ship dodged mines, U-boats and enemy aircraft. To Robert, being at sea was everything but the dark memories of the Titanic were never far away and in 1933 a failed murder attempt after a bitter feud nearly cost Robert his life. Here Robert's great-granddaughter Sally Nilsson seeks to set the record straight and reveal the true character of the man her family knew. This is one man's story of survival, betrayal and determination.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 20, 2019
I wanted to award “The Man Who Sank the Titanic” more stars, as the book is a sincere attempt to understand and inspire sympathy for a man who, as the subtitle tells us, lived a troubled life. Hichens is cast so often as one of the villains in this most notorious of disasters that the reader sometimes instinctively questions the black and white reading. Was he really such a belligerent and unpleasant character as he appears in stories about Lifeboat #6? If eyewitness testimony is to be believed, he took his surly pessimism to absurd lengths, even telling his passengers that the rescue ship was there to pick up bodies rather than save them. Sally Nilsson puts in a valiant effort to redeem her ancestor’s reputation, but the resulting portrait is not entirely convincing. In seeking to remove some of the grime from his reputation, she sullies others.
The problems with this book begin with the title: “The Man Who Sank the Titanic” is a grandiose statement/question, and it seems to serve no purpose other than to inflate the importance of Hichens. I’ve read a lot of Titanic literature, and I can’t think of anyone who seriously thinks that in following orders he was responsible for sinking the ship (unless you count Louise Patten’s bizarre and heavily panned book). The navigational errors that sank Titanic were already committed before Hichens turned the wheel. Where Hichens comes in for criticism is in his lack of leadership and inability to manage the increasingly hostile environment in the lifeboat he commanded. A competent leader would have taken charge and inspired his passengers with hope. Hichens was prickly and belligerent, and rather than encouraging the people under his charge, he focused on the potentially fatal challenges they faced in an open boat. In his defense, Nilsson does mount a convincing argument that the rest of the occupants in the lifeboat made his job difficult. His judgement call in not returning to look for any survivors was one shared by most of the other lifeboats. Hichens doesn’t emerge as particularly more likeable or competent in his role, but it is fair to highlight the stress and tensions in a small open boat abandoning a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean.
The book is interesting and straightforward enough in the brief biographical sections, and particularly in the pathetic tragedy that was the sailor’s later life and sad death, but sometimes falls into speculation and imaginative reconstructions of events that seem to owe more to the author lapsing into fictional interpretation than in any sources. In subjectively interpreting the reported behavior and words of the people involved, benefit of the doubt is given to Hichens, and the most negative construction is put on the actions and words of his opponents. The Titanic chapters re-tell the familiar story, and seem to aim at an audience that is new to the subject. Most of this is a pretty straightforward version of events and not particularly inspired, particularly for anyone who already knows the basics. Where it goes off the rails is in the author’s grand reveal about their theory regarding the “true” reason the ship failed to avoid the iceberg. Nilsson unfortunately skips down the conspiracy trail and, in defending her great-grandfather, destroys the reputations of other men and women on Titanic. On evidence that is very dubious (and which she admits is dubious), she constructs a scenario of drunken officers passing out at the critical moment and Hichens being silenced with a lucrative foreign job. In trying to redeem Hichens, she is willing to attack the reputation of other men and women on whatever flimsy grounds she can find. Her theories about PTSD affecting how Hichens behaved might be correct, but we’re left to wonder how much of it was trauma, and how much was because he was an abrasive personality.
The problems with this book begin with the title: “The Man Who Sank the Titanic” is a grandiose statement/question, and it seems to serve no purpose other than to inflate the importance of Hichens. I’ve read a lot of Titanic literature, and I can’t think of anyone who seriously thinks that in following orders he was responsible for sinking the ship (unless you count Louise Patten’s bizarre and heavily panned book). The navigational errors that sank Titanic were already committed before Hichens turned the wheel. Where Hichens comes in for criticism is in his lack of leadership and inability to manage the increasingly hostile environment in the lifeboat he commanded. A competent leader would have taken charge and inspired his passengers with hope. Hichens was prickly and belligerent, and rather than encouraging the people under his charge, he focused on the potentially fatal challenges they faced in an open boat. In his defense, Nilsson does mount a convincing argument that the rest of the occupants in the lifeboat made his job difficult. His judgement call in not returning to look for any survivors was one shared by most of the other lifeboats. Hichens doesn’t emerge as particularly more likeable or competent in his role, but it is fair to highlight the stress and tensions in a small open boat abandoning a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean.
The book is interesting and straightforward enough in the brief biographical sections, and particularly in the pathetic tragedy that was the sailor’s later life and sad death, but sometimes falls into speculation and imaginative reconstructions of events that seem to owe more to the author lapsing into fictional interpretation than in any sources. In subjectively interpreting the reported behavior and words of the people involved, benefit of the doubt is given to Hichens, and the most negative construction is put on the actions and words of his opponents. The Titanic chapters re-tell the familiar story, and seem to aim at an audience that is new to the subject. Most of this is a pretty straightforward version of events and not particularly inspired, particularly for anyone who already knows the basics. Where it goes off the rails is in the author’s grand reveal about their theory regarding the “true” reason the ship failed to avoid the iceberg. Nilsson unfortunately skips down the conspiracy trail and, in defending her great-grandfather, destroys the reputations of other men and women on Titanic. On evidence that is very dubious (and which she admits is dubious), she constructs a scenario of drunken officers passing out at the critical moment and Hichens being silenced with a lucrative foreign job. In trying to redeem Hichens, she is willing to attack the reputation of other men and women on whatever flimsy grounds she can find. Her theories about PTSD affecting how Hichens behaved might be correct, but we’re left to wonder how much of it was trauma, and how much was because he was an abrasive personality.
October 17, 2019
well written and researched s different view of the disaster
April 5, 2014
Sally Nilsson's The Man Who Sank Titanic: The Troubled Life of Quartermaster Robert Hichens is the biographical/nonfiction story of her ancestor. Hichens was at the wheel of Titanic at the time of the collision, and manned lifeboat six, famously telling Molly Brown to "shut that hole in your face."
I've always been fascinated with the tragic story of Titanic, but it can be difficult to find nonfiction books that are suited to your reading style and preferences. This is an accessible, detailed, and well-written book that touches on the before, during and after of the world's most famous maritime disaster.
Although part of Nilsson's thesis is to show that Robert Hichens was not the cold, uncaring man he is often painted as, the book doesn't read with a heavy bias. Nilsson treats the history with honesty and sticks to the facts, including the good, the bad, and the unclear, and leaving the reader to form their own opinion.
Other interesting facts include crew hierarchy, the ship's operations, the early parts of the voyage, other key witnesses and famous passengers, as well as emergency procedures. Nilsson even goes so far as to compare and draw parallels with James Cameron's film, which was incredibly interesting and a valuable tool to help the reader sort out fact and fiction.
The legal proceedings were particularly interesting and handled well. Nilsson covers the questioning of key witnesses and speaks to the efforts of the White Star Line to conceal the gross negligence that inarguably occurred on April 12th. The book includes transcripts, glossy photographs, unpublished research, diagrams, and a helpful index. The writing style and flow of the narrative makes it easy to submerge one's self in the facts and to really appreciate the magnitude of the disaster, even after the survivors reached land.
There is much to be learned from this book. We come to understand the man who steered the ship into the iceberg and why he is often painted as a coward and a bully. More importantly, we learn to sympathize with him, and understand how his reputation came about.
Whether you're a novice or a well-read Titanic enthusiast, this book is definitely worth reading. The book opened my eyes to the determination of the world to blame someone for the disaster, but the problems were so many that it is impossible to find blame with a specific person or persons. Along with many interesting facts, I also took this away from the book that it could be said that surviving was not a prize. For some, to live with the shame, the memories of the sounds of 1500 people who went into the ocean, the blame, and the guilt, surviving was not easy. And for some, like Robert, sometimes surviving was a fate worse than death.
4 Stars
I've always been fascinated with the tragic story of Titanic, but it can be difficult to find nonfiction books that are suited to your reading style and preferences. This is an accessible, detailed, and well-written book that touches on the before, during and after of the world's most famous maritime disaster.
Although part of Nilsson's thesis is to show that Robert Hichens was not the cold, uncaring man he is often painted as, the book doesn't read with a heavy bias. Nilsson treats the history with honesty and sticks to the facts, including the good, the bad, and the unclear, and leaving the reader to form their own opinion.
Other interesting facts include crew hierarchy, the ship's operations, the early parts of the voyage, other key witnesses and famous passengers, as well as emergency procedures. Nilsson even goes so far as to compare and draw parallels with James Cameron's film, which was incredibly interesting and a valuable tool to help the reader sort out fact and fiction.
The legal proceedings were particularly interesting and handled well. Nilsson covers the questioning of key witnesses and speaks to the efforts of the White Star Line to conceal the gross negligence that inarguably occurred on April 12th. The book includes transcripts, glossy photographs, unpublished research, diagrams, and a helpful index. The writing style and flow of the narrative makes it easy to submerge one's self in the facts and to really appreciate the magnitude of the disaster, even after the survivors reached land.
There is much to be learned from this book. We come to understand the man who steered the ship into the iceberg and why he is often painted as a coward and a bully. More importantly, we learn to sympathize with him, and understand how his reputation came about.
Whether you're a novice or a well-read Titanic enthusiast, this book is definitely worth reading. The book opened my eyes to the determination of the world to blame someone for the disaster, but the problems were so many that it is impossible to find blame with a specific person or persons. Along with many interesting facts, I also took this away from the book that it could be said that surviving was not a prize. For some, to live with the shame, the memories of the sounds of 1500 people who went into the ocean, the blame, and the guilt, surviving was not easy. And for some, like Robert, sometimes surviving was a fate worse than death.
4 Stars
November 20, 2019
As pathetic as apologetic. I can understand that a relative wish to clear her relative name but the fact is that this man was not brave but was a violent drunkard that tried to kill another man. In short he was the wrong man in the wrong place and nothing this"writer" can imagine about him will change that. Conclusions, relatives should refrain from writing books about not so succesful relatives
March 6, 2022
**4.5 stars**
The other night I watched Titanic for the zillionth time and became OBSESSED.
I listened to this on audiobook. It is the first (but not the last) piece of in-depth reading I have done on the Titanic and I wish I had have come to this book later in my reading.
This book was written by one of the dependents of Robert Hichens, and I think the bias can be felt in the book. I think that Hichens had a very difficult time after the sinking, however, I am not sure that I buy into Nilsson's proclamation that he was 100% a victim and that what was said about his behaviour in the lightboats was made up. I think that he was a scared man who had the responsibility of several lives to take care of and I cannot blame him for not wanting to go back to the ship. That said, it doesn't mean his behaviour is the way Nilsson described it.
I enjoyed reading about what happened to Hichens after the sinking. It is not really something I have ever thought about. This people survived something unfathomable and then had to resume their lives without any real psychological or financial support.
I appreciate the time and effort that went into research and writing this book and I very much enjoyed reading it. I also appreciated how much the author stressed that she was a distant relative of Hichens which explained some of the bias in the story.
Really recommend if you want some insight into the terrible tragedy.
The other night I watched Titanic for the zillionth time and became OBSESSED.
I listened to this on audiobook. It is the first (but not the last) piece of in-depth reading I have done on the Titanic and I wish I had have come to this book later in my reading.
This book was written by one of the dependents of Robert Hichens, and I think the bias can be felt in the book. I think that Hichens had a very difficult time after the sinking, however, I am not sure that I buy into Nilsson's proclamation that he was 100% a victim and that what was said about his behaviour in the lightboats was made up. I think that he was a scared man who had the responsibility of several lives to take care of and I cannot blame him for not wanting to go back to the ship. That said, it doesn't mean his behaviour is the way Nilsson described it.
I enjoyed reading about what happened to Hichens after the sinking. It is not really something I have ever thought about. This people survived something unfathomable and then had to resume their lives without any real psychological or financial support.
I appreciate the time and effort that went into research and writing this book and I very much enjoyed reading it. I also appreciated how much the author stressed that she was a distant relative of Hichens which explained some of the bias in the story.
Really recommend if you want some insight into the terrible tragedy.
July 21, 2017
What a great book. I have read a few Titanic books plus seen several TV docs and enjoyed them all. But just when I thought I'd more or less seen everything there is to know about the cause of the disaster, up pops an absolute gem (don't worry - NO SPOILERS). If what the author says is true, and there is no reason to doubt it, it puts a new light on what really happened.
As well as the 'Titanic' bit, I was thoroughly engrossed with Robert Hichen's life after the disaster until his death some decades later. I think the author, Hichen's great-granddaughter, has tried to be fair in her opinions of other crew and work colleagues, despite her desire for her great-grandad to be free from total blame for the sinking, even though he was steering the ship at the time!
I can see why James Cameron dodged this book's revelation for what could have happened just prior to striking the iceberg but it would be good to see a documentary focusing on it. It may be called a conspiracy theory but it could be the truth!!
As well as the 'Titanic' bit, I was thoroughly engrossed with Robert Hichen's life after the disaster until his death some decades later. I think the author, Hichen's great-granddaughter, has tried to be fair in her opinions of other crew and work colleagues, despite her desire for her great-grandad to be free from total blame for the sinking, even though he was steering the ship at the time!
I can see why James Cameron dodged this book's revelation for what could have happened just prior to striking the iceberg but it would be good to see a documentary focusing on it. It may be called a conspiracy theory but it could be the truth!!
June 12, 2024
Whether you are interested in the Titanic or not, this is an excellent read. It could be a well written novel but, due to the extensive research by Robert Hichens great-granddaughter, this true story makes for riveting reading.
At its basic level, it is social history of a sea farer in the early 20th century, but it is far more, as the gripping twists and turns make it into a page turner. I'm a slow reader, but, for me, I read this in record time, even if it is only 159 pages long.
Even an Encyclopedia Titanica (apparently there is such a thing!) fan, will find some new riveting information in this short book.
Sally Nilsson is to be commended.
At its basic level, it is social history of a sea farer in the early 20th century, but it is far more, as the gripping twists and turns make it into a page turner. I'm a slow reader, but, for me, I read this in record time, even if it is only 159 pages long.
Even an Encyclopedia Titanica (apparently there is such a thing!) fan, will find some new riveting information in this short book.
Sally Nilsson is to be commended.
April 14, 2024
I'll be honest, I never gave the man who was at the wheel of the Titanic when she hit that iceberg much thought until my mom bought me this book. I'm glad she did and I enjoyed learning more of him and parts of the Titanic's history I feel like not many talk about.
July 22, 2012
This book is written by Robert Hichens great-grand daughter yet I didn't get the feel that her motivation was solely to paint her ancestor in a good light.
The book showcases a different take on the official version of what happened that night and I found it fascinating. A must read for any Titanic aficionado.
The book showcases a different take on the official version of what happened that night and I found it fascinating. A must read for any Titanic aficionado.
August 22, 2012
A well written story about the man who had the misfortune of being at the wheel of the Titanic when it struck the iceberg. Did he later go on to abuse survivors of the disaster such as the 'Unsinkable Molly Brown' when he and several of them ended up together in lifeboat number 6, or was he just following orders? Does he really deserve the reputation that history has given him?
November 13, 2013
An interesting read. Robert Hichens led a fascinating life.
Ms. Nilsson does bring something controversial up that I don't agree with. And that is that the Titanic's deck officers were drunk at the time of the collision.
Ms. Nilsson does bring something controversial up that I don't agree with. And that is that the Titanic's deck officers were drunk at the time of the collision.
June 4, 2012
I'm proud to say that I have a copy of this book signed by the Author, Indeed a prize!.. and a excellent book!.. A absolutely must read for any serious Titanic researcher.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews