Any ship that is in distress, is calling for help, or appears to be in distress must be given the best assistance possible as quickly as possible.

The Mystery Ship: Californian

Californian was proceeding to Boston when her progress was stopped by a huge wall of ice.

She shut down her engines to wait out the night and sent out an ice warning to the approaching Titanic. The White Star liner was nearing the end of her maiden voyage. At her current speed, she should reach New York by Wednesday and, Californian had heard this from the radio chatter, beat Olympic's record for a maiden voyage crossing.

Titanic seemed a little worried about her inexperience but Californian knew she'd do great. Her wireless operator Cyril Evans sent out the warning. Titanic's response was quick and loud. "Shut up! Shut up! I am working Cape Race!" Jack Phillips, the senior wireless operator replied. "How Rude." Californian muttered.

"Sorry about that, Californian." Titanic said via Captain Lord and her captain, EJ Smith. Californian shrugged. "Its fine, but my operator's shut down for the night." She replied. "So, I'll see you in the morning?" Titanic asked. "Yes, see ya!" Californian replied.

At about 11:40 pm that night, she watched a small tramp steamer about 10 miles away slow to a stop after turning sharply to port.

An hour later she was firing off rockets. Californian watched as they were fired off one by one from the steamers bridge, rising as high as her mast before exploding with a white brilliance.

She wondered if they were company signals. Each line had its own set of colors. Cunard had green as well as roman candles, the French had blue and the American Lines had not surprisingly, the patriotic red, white, and blue.

She tried hailing the mystery ship with the Morse lamp but got no response.

She disappeared over the horizon at around 2:20.

By morning, the air was crackling with chatter. Evans was up by 7:00 and was back at the set to hear the morning news. What they heard stunned them all.

Titanic had sunk, no less than 10 miles from Californian. The mystery ship she had seen firing company signals was actually Titanic sending up distress rockers.

Californian could hardly believe it was true. But sure enough there was Carpathia picking up the last of the survivors. Californian offered to help and Carpathia told her to remain behind to see if she could find any more survivors while she headed to New York with a boat load of passengers

Californian searched for half a day but found no one. It was with a heavy heart that she continued to Boston. The code dictated that any ship who appeared to be in distress must be helped. Rockets at sea could mean distress so by failing to go to Titanic's assistance Californian had broken it.

"Oh Titanic, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." She whispered. The response was carried by the wind as Titanic's soft voice whistled in Californian's ears. "Too late." She whispered. "Too late."