An Early Awakening

Charles was alone and unique. Unlike his family background, he wasn’t into the cotton industry at all. His life was much more outside a regular cotton mill like most of the British youngsters. He already had exciting plans in his mind and at the age of 13, he took a step closer to his dream life when he went offshores. A more adventurous life awaits Charles to bring out a legend of this young boy. Sailing through the Indian Oceans, at the age of 15 he encountered his first ship disaster when bad weather hit the ship on which he was working as a shipman. The ship sank but Charles survived for much more adventurous events to take place. There was something about this man, wherever he went whatever he does, adventures find its way to him. 

Wrapped In Adventures

Charles’ days on the sea were full of so many jaw-dropping incidents. People who sail throughout their lives also rarely confront more than one such event. His seafaring days took him as far as Indian, Australia,  and Brazilian shores. He and his fellow sailors survived tropical diseases, cyclones, and terrible storms. Till here you must be thinking that every sailor has similar stories to tell but when we tell you his further historic encounters you’ll be nothing but stunned.

The “Unsinkable” Titanic

In 1912, the White Star Line built its most awaited luxurious ocean liner RMS Titanic, “the unsinkable ship” which was soon to head for New York from the coast of England. Charles who turned 38 was known as an expert in forecasting the season and almost everything related to sailing. Charles was one of the 892 crew members that boarded the biggest ship in the history. He was assigned as a second officer to Captain Edward J. Smith who was to hold command on the ship’s directions and was soon going to meet a dreadful ending.charles lightoller - titanic

Superhuman Strength

Once, Titanic sank he found himself in freezing cold but made it to the ocean’s surface. Miraculously, he found a turned lifeboat which with all his strength, he turned another way around. He saved 30 other people who were almost living their last breaths and sailed the boat throughout the chilled night until all of them were rescued by RMS Carpathia.Charles Lightoller - titanic

Summoned For The Cause

To extract these soldiers from the Dunkirk shore, the army was using civilian boats. And Charles received one such call to give his Sundowner to help the mission. This was the opportunity Charles was looking for in order to help his nation. While everyone happily gave their boats to the army, Charles wanted to go a step ahead. The enemy firefighter planes were targeting the boats. He used his expertise to get the survivors to the land dodging the boat from between the German bombs. Luckily, Charles made it back to England with all the 130 soldiers safe. Where a sad news awaited him.charles lightoller - dunkirk