Titanic Crew | Frederick Fleet Biography | Titanic Lookout

Summary

Frederick Fleet was a British sailor and lookout on the RMS Titanic, best known for spotting the iceberg that led to the ship's tragic sinking. Despite his warning, the ship collided with the iceberg, causing the loss of over 1,500 lives. After the disaster, Fleet testified at both U.S. and British inquiries, expressing that binoculars could have allowed him to see the iceberg sooner. His life after the tragedy was marked by hardship, including depression and personal losses, leading to his suicide in 1965. Fleet’s unmarked grave was finally recognized in 1993, honoring his role in one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fleet was born on October 15, 1887, in Liverpool and had a troubled childhood, being abandoned by his mother and raised by foster families.
• 😀 He began his career at sea in 1903 as a deck boy and eventually became a lookout, joining the Titanic crew in April 1912.
• 😀 Fleet was one of the Titanic's six lookouts during its maiden voyage, and on the night of April 14, 1912, he first sighted the iceberg that caused the disaster.
• 😀 Despite repeated requests, Fleet and his fellow lookout, Reginald Lee, were not provided binoculars, which they believed could have allowed them to spot the iceberg earlier.
• 😀 At 11:39 PM on April 14, 1912, Fleet saw the iceberg and rang the bell to alert the bridge, famously warning, 'Iceberg right ahead!'
• 😀 After the collision, Fleet and Lee continued to work for 20 more minutes in the crow's nest before being relieved by others.
• 😀 Fleet helped prepare Lifeboat 6, where he and others had to deal with conflict, including a quarrel about returning to rescue survivors.
• 😀 Fleet survived in Lifeboat 6, reaching the RMS Carpathia by 6 AM on April 15, 1912, after being rescued.
• 😀 He testified at both U.S. and British inquiries, stating that the disaster might have been prevented if they had binoculars.
• 😀 After the Titanic disaster, Fleet worked on other ships, including the RMS Olympic, but his life was marked by financial and emotional struggles.
• 😀 In 1965, after the death of his wife and eviction from his home, Fleet tragically took his own life, and his grave went unmarked until 1993 when a headstone was erected.

Q & A

Who was Fleet and what role did he play in the Titanic disaster?

Fleet was a British sailor and a lookout aboard the RMS Titanic. He was the first to spot the iceberg that led to the ship's sinking on the night of April 14, 1912.

What warning did Fleet give after spotting the iceberg?

Fleet rang the crow's nest bell three times to alert the bridge, then used the telephone to warn Officer James Moody with the famous phrase, 'Iceberg right ahead.'

What was Fleet's opinion on the lack of binoculars for the lookouts?

Fleet believed that if he and his fellow lookout, Reginald Lee, had been provided with binoculars, they could have seen the iceberg sooner, possibly allowing the ship to avoid the collision.

Why were the lookouts not given binoculars?

It is speculated that the binoculars were not available due to a mix-up when Officer David Blair was removed from the crew, and possibly due to the keys to the binoculars’ storage being accidentally taken by him.

What happened to Fleet and Reginald Lee after the Titanic sank?

After the Titanic sank, Fleet and Lee remained on duty for 20 more minutes in the crow's nest. They were later relieved and Fleet went to help prepare lifeboat number six.

What was Fleet’s role in lifeboat number six?

Fleet helped prepare lifeboat number six and initially manned the boat along with Quartermaster Robert Haitians. The boat was eventually launched with Fleet, Haitians, and others aboard.

What difficulties did Fleet’s lifeboat encounter after the Titanic sank?

In lifeboat number six, there was tension as Quartermaster Haitians mistreated the rowers, including socialite Margaret Brown. There was also debate about whether to return to rescue more survivors, which Haitians opposed.

How did Fleet’s life change after the Titanic disaster?

Fleet left the White Star Line shortly after the Titanic disaster, serving on other ships and working various jobs. He suffered from depression, particularly after his wife’s death and subsequent financial difficulties.

What was the cause of Fleet’s death?

Fleet died by suicide on January 10, 1965, after falling into a deep depression following the death of his wife and being evicted from his brother-in-law’s home.

What was the legacy of Fleet after his death?

Fleet was buried in an unmarked grave at Hollybrook Cemetery. In 1993, a headstone bearing an engraving of the Titanic was erected in his honor by the Titanic Historical Society.