Built in 1901, the Cunard ship RMS Carpathia was
a sturdy, yet unremarkable, passenger liner, primarily used by Europeans
immigrating to America. In April of 1912, she sealed herself in maritime
history by being the first, and primary, ship to come to the aid of the
stricken Titanic. While other ships were too far, or had already
turned their wireless systems off for the night, the little
Carpathia immediately re-routed upon receiving the distress call
and sped to the scene. Captain Arthur Rostron's exceptional navigation
skills and swift, thoughtful delegation of crew orders led to the
successful rescue of all 709 Titanic survivors.
After the disaster, he was widely praised for his actions, receiving the
Congressional Gold Medal, the American Cross of Honor, and he was knighted
by King George V. The reliable
Carpathia went back to work shortly after delivering the
survivors in New York, and she carried on as a passenger liner and then as
a military transport ship during WW1 before being sunk by a torpedo in
1918.