7. Lightoller warned the bridge watch and lookouts to keep a sharp eye out for ice just hours before the collision
Titanic made two stops after departing Southampton (where it was delayed clearing the harbor by a near collision), one in Cherbourg, and its final stop at Queenstown, Ireland, before heading for the open sea and New York. On April 11 it sailed for New York, where it was scheduled to arrive on April 17. As it sailed a fire in a coal bunker which had started while in Southampton continued to burn, though the passengers were not informed of the problem. By April 14, the fire was reported to be out. On the evening of April 14, Lightoller stood his watch on the bridge before being relieved by Murdoch. He warned the crew on the bridge to be watchful for ice and passed the warning to his relief before retiring for the night.
Lightoller was in his cabin when he felt the collision. He was summoned to the bridge about thirty minutes later. He dressed, including his overcoat, and joined the other officers summoned by Captain Smith. Smith ordered that the passengers be mustered, with the stewards distributing life belts, but he did not order them into the lifeboats. That order was delayed for some time, as Smith seemed to lose control of the situation, according to survivors who observed him, including Lightoller. It was Lightoller, in charge of the port side boats, who suggested to Smith that “we better get the women and children into the boats” and Smith agreed.