Stead boarded the "Titanic" for a visit to the United States to take part in a peace congress at Carnegie Hall at the request of President William Taft. Survivors of the "Titanic" reported very little about Stead's last hours. He chatted enthusiastically through the 11-course meal that fateful night, telling thrilling tales (including one about the cursed mummy of the British Museum), but then retired to bed at 10.30pm. After the ship struck the iceberg, Stead helped several women and children into the lifeboats, in an act "typical of his generosity, courage, and humanity", and gave his life jacket to another passenger.