1975: Edwina MacKenzie recalls the Titanic sinking

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Despite the event happening more than 60 years before, Edwina MacKenzie's memories remain vivid. Awakened by the ship's collision, she made her way to the lounge only to have her fears dismissed by a jovial drinking party. She eventually abandoned ship and witnessed the Titanic's last moments before it disappeared.

There were over 2,200 people on board, but only lifeboat space for 1,178. Just over 700 survivors were rescued. The Titanic had met - in fact, exceeded - the British Board of Trade's lifeboat requirements, but the regulations were intended for much smaller ships and thus were wholly inadequate.

Originally broadcast 15 April 1975

BBC Archive

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