Lifeboats of the RMS Titanic returned to the White Star Line at New York Harbor, as they were the only items of value salvaged from the shipwreck, but subsequently vanished from history over time. "Titanic" had 20 lifeboats of three different types: The main lifeboats and cutters were built by Harland and Wolff at Queen's Island, Belfast at the same time that "Titanic" and her sister ship were constructed. They were designed for maximum seaworthiness, with a double-ended design (effectively having two bows). This reduced the risk that they would be flooded by a following sea (i.e. having waves breaking over the stern). If a
Sinking of the RMS Titanic fired every few minutes to attract the attention of any ships nearby and the radio operators repeatedly sent the distress signal CQD. Radio operator Harold Bride suggested to his colleague Jack Phillips that he should use the new SOS signal, as it "may be your last chance to send it". The two radio operators contacted other ships to ask for assistance. Several responded, of which RMS "Carpathia" was the closest, at away. She was a much slower vessel than "Titanic" and, even driven at her maximum speed of , would have taken four hours to reach the sinking ship. Another