First Hand - Walter Hurst

Walter Hurst

Fireman

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Peter West [Interviewer]:
In the lifeboats, the survivors braced themselves for the rigors of a long night and one of those survivors, a greaser, Mr. Walter Hurst, got there in a very strange way. What's your story, Mr. Hurst?

Walter Hurst:
Well I saw the forward part of the Boat Deck dip underwater so I jumped overboard, swim away from the ship, and turned around to look at her, but down came the funnel and smashed into the water right in front of my face. I got a gush of wind and dirt through that nearby blinded me and I felt the cap go off my head and one slipper off my foot.

But I didn't take my attention off of this boat that I see – the collapsible boat washed straight over off the deck within a few yards of me. But I managed to get on to it, and I was followed quickly by the Second Officer and a few others. Anyhow, she soon got filled up. 1

There was an old man stood next to me and he was complaining all the night long about his head was so cold. Well I took particular to that because mine was pretty cold too. But a friend of mine, a shipmate named Lindsay, gave me a drink from a bottle. 2 I thought I was on a good thing, I think it was whiskey or brandy. Instead of that, it was essence of peppermint. Nearly choked me!