Pg 3 (souls Of The Titanic)

Charles Lightoller (above) was told by Captain Smith that he should allow women and children to get on the lifeboats first.

“Women and Children First” Nobody seemed to be panicking, or at least the naive passengers weren’t. The men in the first-class lounge continued to play their card games, and the third-class people continued to party. But up on the bridge Captain Smith was almost certain that he, along with many others, would have to go down with the Titanic. The problem was that there were sixteen lifeboats, and over 2,200 souls aboard. The lifeboats could fit up to 65 or 70, if they were really determined to fit as many people as possible. “How should I load the lifeboats?” asked Second Officer Charles Lightoller. “Should I do them women and children first?” he continued.