Allison Lassieur - Can You Survive the Titanic?: An Interactive Survival Adventure

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YOU are a passenger on the first voyage of the ocean liner Titanic. The ship just hit an iceberg and is beginning to sink. How will you survive?

In this book youll deal with extreme survival situations. Youll explore how the knowledge you have and the choices you make can mean the difference between life and death.

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through your adventure.

Its April 1912. Youre thrilled to be traveling on the biggest, most famous ship in the world. The RMS Titanic is making her maiden voyage, sailing from England to the United States.

Everything on the ship is better than anything you imagined. Crisp, fresh linens cover the dining room tables, which are set with silver and china. The wood in the magnificent grand staircase gleams. The food is excellent, and theres plenty of it.

Titanic was as long as four city blocks.

The ship is also said to be the safest ever built. Its is divided into 16 watertight compartments. Devices on the compartment doors will automatically close the doors if water in the compartment reaches a certain height. This feature is designed to keep the water out of the rest of the hull and allow the ship to stay afloat.

The only problem you notice is the number of lifeboats on the deck. There are only 16, plus four boats. Thats enough boats for about half of the 2,200 passengers. But there are life vests in all of the roomsmore than enough for each passenger and crew member.

Icebergs loomed as Titanic sailed south of the Newfoundland coast.

The five-day crossing of the Atlantic Ocean has been smooth. The ship is traveling at an amazing speed of 25 miles per hour. But by Sunday, April 14, youre getting restless. The weather has been good for most of the trip. But this evening, temperatures have dropped below freezing. Titanic is scheduled to arrive in New York on Tuesday, April 16. Youre ready for this trip to end.

Around 11:40 p.m. Sunday, the huge ship shudders and jerks for a few seconds. Then the gigantic engines fall silent. appear in the hallways. They urge everyone to put on warm clothing and life vests and go to the upper decks.

Is this a drill? No one seems to know whats going on. Soon you hear dreadful news. The ship has hit an iceberg. Even then everyone is confident that the ship is only slightly damaged. But what if it isnt? Can you make the right choices to survive?

You stand on the deck of Titanic and breathe in the cold night air. Its Sunday, April 14. This is the first time youve had a moment to yourself since the ship left Southampton, England, on April 10. Youre one of Titanics medical crew. You are an assistant surgeon to Dr. William OLoughlin.

When you took the job, you imagined an exciting voyage on the most famous ship in the world. Instead, youve been busy every day tending to the minor hurts and sicknesses of the passengers. Youre disappointed that you havent had more free time. But tonight it seems that everyone is well and safe. You can finally enjoy the amazing ship.

Titanics first-class accommodations were the most luxurious at the time.

As you look out into the darkness, you think back to earlier in the evening. You, Dr. OLoughlin, and several others ate dinner in the first-class dining . You feasted on delicious dishes, such as filet mignon, lamb in mint sauce, roast duckling, and chocolate clairs. During dinner, everyone talked about how fast the ship was travelingabout 25 miles per hour.

After dinner you wander the decks until around 11 p.m. The weather has turned bitterly cold. Youre ready for your warm cabin and bed. Youve just fallen asleep when you feel a strange bump. Did the ship hit something? You turn on the light and look at your pocket watch. The time is 11:40 p.m.

Even if the ship has hit something, youre not too concerned. Titanic is believed to be unsinkable, after all.

You turn off the light and drift back to sleep. A loud knock jerks you awake as Dr. OLoughlin steps in.

Whats happened? What time is it? you ask.

Its midnight. The ship has struck an iceberg, he says calmly. I need you to come with me. Dress warmly and bring your life vest.

You quickly put on your clothes, a wool coat, and a hat. You follow Dr. OLoughlin to his quarters. The other surgeons assistants are there with Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall. Everyone is full of questions.

Yes, we struck an iceberg, Boxhall says. The captain sent me down to inspect the damage, but I didnt see anything. Sorry, but I must return to the bridge and give Captain Smith my report. Boxhall disappears. You notice the ships engines have stopped.

Gentlemen, I have a bad feeling about this, Dr. OLoughlin begins. But our first duty is to the passengers. Ill go to second class to make sure everyone is all right there. I need volunteers to do the same in first class and third class.

The lower areas of the ship are a maze of narrow hallways and confusing dead ends. But your work has helped you become familiar with the entire ship. You quickly make your way to the third-class lounge. A group of passengers is already there. They look alarmed.

Doctor, whats happened? one man asks.

A woman with a baby in her arms says, I felt a huge bump. Then I heard water rushing in from somewhere.

You tell the passengers what you know. Many of them dont speak English. But you try as best you can to make them understand.

A man comes into the lounge and says, I heard someone say theres flooding in the rooms. What should we do?

For the first time you think that the ship is in serious danger. You could brave the bitter cold and go to the deck to find out what is happening. Or you could all stay here in the warmth of the lounge. If the situation is serious, an officer will certainly come and tell you whats going on.

As you start to lead the group out of third class, a crew member appears. You recognize him as John Hart, a steward assigned to this area. I have orders to send women and children in third class to the boat deck, he says. Ive roused everyone from their cabins. Doctor, help me organize these people. Its a long trip to the deck.