🚢 Titanic’s Lifeboat Inventory – A Legal & Historical Look at Life-Saving Equipment
📌 A rare 1913 Titanic Lifeboat Inventory reveals the shocking inconsistencies in emergency equipment aboard the doomed ship. Learn about missing survival gear, cost-cutting measures, and how this document played a role in White Star Line’s legal defense.
🚢 The Titanic Lifeboat Inventory – A Detailed Maritime Record
🔍 Overview: A Rare Look Into the Equipment Aboard Titanic’s Lifeboats
This article provides an extraordinary primary source document—the January 13, 1913, Titanic Lifeboat Inventory, which was compiled for legal proceedings following the disaster. The inventory lists the specific contents and estimated values of lifeboats used during the evacuation, giving researchers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts an unprecedented look into the preparedness—or lack thereof—of Titanic’s lifeboats.
📌 Why is this Inventory Crucial to Understanding the Titanic Disaster?
✔ It offers a detailed breakdown of the equipment each lifeboat contained, revealing their functionality (or deficiencies).
✔ It highlights the inconsistencies in provisions among lifeboats, which affected survival conditions for passengers.
✔ It provides insight into maritime safety regulations before Titanic sank and how they changed afterward.
✔ It serves as an essential record for researchers studying lifeboat preparedness, legal liability, and the financial aftermath of the disaster.
📌 For teachers, students, historians, maritime safety analysts, and genealogists, this inventory is a valuable tool in understanding the logistics of Titanic’s evacuation and the challenges survivors faced at sea.
Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United StatesSeries: Admiralty Case FilesFile Unit: In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC
NAID: 6254789 Textual Records Produced: January 13, 1913 3 Images 1 File
This item was produced or created on January 13, 1913. The creator compiled or maintained the parent series, Admiralty Case Files, between 1790–1966.
Inventory of “Titanic” Life Boats:
Titanic Lifeboat Inventory for Boats 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Page 1 of 3. National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Titanic, Box19, A55-279, Folder 1, Life Boat Contents 2. GGA Image ID # 219abecb9c. Click to View a Larger Image.
BOAT NO: 1.
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oars | 6.00 | 3.50 |
| 1 Fender | 1.25 | -------- |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 3 Life Belts | 4.50 | 1.50 |
| Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | --------- |
| 1 Water keg | .75 | 1.50 |
| 7 Thole pins | 1.40 | --------- |
| 2 Numbers | .20 | .06 |
| 2 Liverpool plates | 3.00 | .36 |
| 2 Boat Painters | .50 | 1.60 |
| 24.32 |
BOAT NO: 2
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Number | .10 | .03 |
| 1 Sail coveR | 1.00 | --------- |
| 8 Life belts | 12.00 | 4.00 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 1 Dipper | .05 | .15 |
| 3 Oars | 3.60 | 2.10 |
| 1 Stretcher | .75 | -------- |
| 1 Water keg | .75 | 1.50 |
| 2 Boat Painters | .50 | 1.60 |
| 11.13 |
BOAT NO: 3
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 8 Oars | 9.60 | 5.60 |
| 1 Boat hook | .75 | .50 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | -------- |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 4 Foot stretchers . | 20 | -------- |
| 9 Thole pins | 1.80 | -------- |
| 21 Life belts | 31.50 | 10.50 |
| 1 Wrench | .75 | -------- |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 2 Boat painters | .50 | 1.60 |
| 39.50 |
BOAT NO: 5
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | -------- |
| 1 Number | .10 | .03 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | -------- |
| 8 Oars | 9.60 | 4.00 |
| 1 Boat hook | .75 | .50 |
| 1 Sail cover | 1.00 | -------- |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 13 Life belts | 19.50 | 6.50 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 5 Foot stretchers | .25 | -------- |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 27 Thole pins | 5.40 | ------- |
| 32.33 |
BOAT NO: 6
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | -------- |
| 5 Oars | 6.00 | 3.50 |
| 1 Name | 2.00 | -------- |
| 1 Rudders | 1.00 | -------- |
| 2 Liverpool plates | 3.00 | .36 |
| 4 Stretchers | 3.00 | -------- |
| 1 Boat hook | .75 | .50 |
| 4 Flags . | 4.00 | .48 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 4 Numbers | .40 | .12 |
| 13 Life belts | 19.50 | 6.50 |
| 29 Thole pins | 5.80 | -------- |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 2 Painters | .50 | 1.60 |
| 12.11 |
Grand Total for Boats 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6: 127.59
Titanic Lifeboat Inventory for Boats 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Page 2 of 3. National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Titanic, Box19, A55-279, Folder 1, Life Boat Contents 2. GGA Image ID # 219f64e0cc. Click to View a Larger Image.
BOAT NO: 7
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | -------- |
| 1 Oil can | 0.10 | 0.16 |
| 10 oars | 12.00 | 7.00 |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 2 Dippers | 0.10 | 0.30 |
| 19 Life belts | 28.30 | 9.50 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 21 Thole pins | 4.20 | -------- |
| 4 Foot stretchers | 0.20 | -------- |
| 1 Wrench | 0.75 | ---------- |
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | ---------- |
| 3 Numbers | 0.30 | 0.09 |
| 3 Flags | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 2 Liverpool name plates | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| Colum total | 40.87 |
BOAT NO: 8
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Masts, one sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 2 Liverpool plates | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 1 Draft plates | 1.50 | ---------- |
| 1 Flag | 1.00 | 0.12 |
| 9 Oars | 10.80 | 6.30 |
| 1 Boat hook | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 1 Dipper | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| 27 Life belts | 40.50 | 13.50 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 2 Foot Stretchers | 0.10 | ---------- |
| 21 Thole pins | 4.20 | ---------- |
| 1 Boat Painter | 0.25 | 0.80 |
| Colum total | 43.03 |
BOAT NO: 9
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 2 Liverpool name plates | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 11 Oars | 13.20 | 7.70 |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 5 Stretchers | 3.75 | ---------- |
| 16 Thole pins | 3.20 | ---------- |
| 2 Dippers | 0.10 | 0.30 |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 29 Life belts | 43.00 | 14.50 |
| 1 Wrench | 0.75 | ---------- |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 45.16 |
BOAT NO: 10
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 4 Numbers | 0.40 | 0.12 |
| 1 Flag | 1.00 | 0.12 |
| Liverpool plate | 1.50 | 0.18 |
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | ---------- |
| 25 Thole pins | 5.00 | 3.50 |
| 2 catch anchors | 10.00 | 3.00 |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 10 Oars | 12.00 | 1.00 |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 39 Life belts | 58.50 | 19.50 |
| 6 Foot Stretchers | 0.30 | ---------- |
| 1 Dippers | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 51.12 |
BOAT NO: 11
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 2 Liverpool plates | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 4 Numbers | 0.40 | 0.12 |
| 4 Oars | 4.20 | 2.80 |
| 1 Wrench | 0.75 | ---------- |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 32 Life belts | 48.00 | 16.00 |
| 1 Oil can | 0.10 | 0.16 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 4 Stretchers | 3.00 | ---------- |
| 28 Thole pins | 5.60 | ---------- |
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | ---------- |
| 2 flags | 2.00 | 0.24 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 2 Boat painters | 0.50 | 1.60 |
| 42.58 |
BOAT NO: 12
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 4 Numbers | 0.40 | 0.12 |
| 4 Flags | 4.00 | 0.48 |
| 2 Liverpool name plates | 3.00 | 0.36 |
| 1 Draft plate | 1.50 | ---------- |
| 23 Thole pins | 4.60 | ---------- |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 7 Oars | 8.40 | 4.90 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 1 Dipper | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| 1 Wrench | 0.75 | ---------- |
| 4 Stretchers | 3.00 | ---------- |
| 25.81 | ||
| 35 Life belts | 52.50 | 17.50 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
Titanic Lifeboat Inventory for Boats 12 (Continued), 13, and 16. Page 3 of 3. National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Titanic, Box19, A55-279, Folder 1, Life Boat Contents 2. GGA Image ID # 219fc24555. Click to View a Larger Image.
BOAT NO: 13
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 4 Numbers | 0.40 | 0.12 |
| 1 Oil can | 0.10 | 0.16 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 10 Oars | 12.00 | 7.00 |
| 2 Water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 5 Foot stretchers | 0.25 | ---------- |
| 12 Life Belts | 18.00 | 6.00 |
| 1 Catch anchor | 5.00 | 1.75 |
| 1 dipper | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| 21 Thole pins | 4.20 | ---------- |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 1 Boat painter | 0.25 | 0.80 |
| column total | 54.03 |
BOAT NO: 16
| CONTENTS: | PRICE: | HAND WRITTEN PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Numbers | 0.30 | 0.09 |
| 1 Mast sail & rigging | 22.50 | 14.05 |
| 1 Liverpool plate | 1.50 | 0.18 |
| 1 Rudder | 1.00 | ---------- |
| 2 Dippers | 0.10 | 0.30 |
| 15 Thole pins | 3.00 | ---------- |
| 2 water kegs | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 10 oars | 12.00 | 7.00 |
| 2 Boat hooks | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| 5 foot stretchers | 0.25 | ---------- |
| 1 wrench | 0.75 | ---------- |
| 27 life belts | 40.50 | 13.50 |
| 1 Provision tank | 5.00 | 2.50 |
| 44.12 |
brought forward 376.16
grand total $474.31
National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 21, Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 – 2009, Series Admiralty Case Files, 1790 – 1966, File Unit, "In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC," NAID: 6254789, Produced: January 13, 1913, 3 Images.
🌟 Most Engaging & Noteworthy Sections
📌 Inconsistencies in Lifeboat Supplies
📜 The inventory reveals surprising variations in the equipment among different lifeboats.
✔ Some lifeboats had extra oars, rudders, and water kegs, while others had barely enough essentials to aid passengers in distress.
✔ Boat No. 1 had only three life belts, while Boat No. 3 had 21! Why such disparities?
✔ Only a few lifeboats had sail rigging, meaning many lacked any means of steering or propulsion.
🚢 This evidence raises critical questions about whether all lifeboats were fully stocked and seaworthy at the time of launch.
📌 What Was Missing from the Lifeboats?
📜 Despite being touted as “unsinkable,” Titanic’s lifeboats lacked many critical survival items.
✔ No lifeboat included emergency flares or lamps to signal rescue ships.
✔ Provisions like drinking water and food rations were inconsistent. Some boats carried two water kegs, others had none.
✔ No medical kits or first-aid supplies were recorded in the inventory.
✔ Compasses, blankets, and additional clothing were absent.
🚢 These gaps in preparedness highlight why survivors suffered severe dehydration and hypothermia while awaiting rescue.
📌 The Cost of Life-Saving Equipment – A Matter of Expense?
📜 The handwritten price adjustments in the inventory suggest Titanic’s operators may have tried to reduce costs on safety gear.
✔ The originally listed prices were often crossed out and lowered—raising concerns that cost-cutting measures may have affected the quality of the equipment.
✔ Example: The mast sail & rigging was initially priced at $22.50 but later marked down to $14.05.
✔ Life belts, anchors, and stretchers were all adjusted downward, possibly reflecting cheaper materials.
🚢 Did White Star Line skimp on life-saving equipment to save money? The records suggest it’s a possibility.
📌 The Financial Aftermath: Titanic’s Lifeboats in a Court of Law
📜 The inventory was produced as part of the legal proceedings involving White Star Line’s liability in the Titanic disaster.
✔ The record is part of the Admiralty Case Files (1790–1966), proving its role in the company’s legal defense to limit financial responsibility.
✔ The total valuation of lifeboat equipment was only $474.31—a shockingly small sum considering it was meant to protect over 2,200 lives.
✔ Did Titanic’s lifeboats meet the safety standards of 1912? This inventory provides a key piece of evidence.
🚢 For legal historians, this document offers an intriguing look at how maritime liability was assessed post-disaster.
📚 Relevance for Different Audiences
📌 🧑🏫 For Teachers & Students:
✔ A fascinating way to explore maritime safety regulations before and after Titanic.
✔ Encourages discussion on cost vs. safety in the shipbuilding industry.
✔ Provides a real-world legal document for history and law students to analyze.
📌 📖 For Historians & Maritime Researchers:
✔ An unparalleled look at lifeboat preparedness aboard Titanic.
✔ Provides financial insights into how equipment was valued in 1912.
✔ A key piece of evidence in the broader legal and financial implications of Titanic’s sinking.
📌 🧬 For Genealogists & Family Historians:
✔ Offers a deeper understanding of the conditions ancestors faced if they were aboard Titanic.
✔ A chance to connect family stories with documented historical evidence.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Titanic’s Lifeboat Inventory – A Story of Unpreparedness & Legal Consequences
📌 This inventory is more than just a list—it’s a crucial piece of history that sheds light on Titanic’s lack of preparedness and the financial aftermath of the disaster.
✔ It exposes the inconsistencies in lifeboat provisions, raising serious questions about White Star Line’s safety measures.
✔ It highlights the tragic reality that cost-cutting may have played a role in Titanic’s lifeboat equipment.
✔ It provides a rare legal document that directly influenced maritime law reforms.
✔ It serves as an essential resource for historians, maritime experts, and legal researchers.
🚢 A document that not only catalogs Titanic’s lifeboat contents—but also tells the untold story of survival, loss, and accountability.
