Houdini of the Sea : Charles Lightoller’s Great Escapes

Charles Lightoller led a remarkable life, escaping death on many occasions.

He was the most senior officer to survive the Titanic disaster, and he showed remarkable courage during the two world wars.

In the First World War, as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, he survived two shipwrecks, a Zeppelin bombing and a duel with a U-boat, which he sank.

He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

In 1940, at the age of 66, he took his motor yacht – official capacity 21 – to Dunkirk and brought back nearly 130 soldiers, dodging repeated air attacks.

Lightoller's life was remarkable: a boy who went to sea at the age of 13, and survived four shipwrecks, including Titanic, and who emerged as a hero of both world wars.

This new study explores his life in detail.