We all know the tragic story of the Titanic. But within that tale is a smaller story that is less known — a story about determination, about humanity shining through at a dark hour, and about doing the impossible.

I want to tell you the story of Carpathia.

The RMS Carpathia was a cruise ship like the Titanic, though smaller. It received Titanic’s distress signal at 12:20 am on April 15th, 1912. Carpathia was about 60 miles from the Titanic at the time — a distance that would take well over 4 hours to cover even at her top speed.

Upon receiving the signal, Carpathia’s Captain Rostron sprung into action, ordering his ship to the Titanic’s aid. They started off, full speed ahead.

It is very difficult to push a steam ship of Carpathia’s size past its top speed. To make sure Carpathia could rise to its full potential, all energy from central heating and hot water were cut off and diverted to the engines. The only areas still receiving energy were the dining rooms, which were turned into makeshift first-aid stations, and where staff prepared hot beverages and collected blankets in preparation to receive the passengers from the Titanic. In addition, oil was set up to be poured off the side of the ship in case of choppy waters as Carpathia sailed through the night. Lookouts were posted in search of survivors and icebergs. Lifeboats were readied.

Amidst the ice and the darkness, Carpathia was able to sustain a speed of almost 18 knots – around 30% above her official top speed! It helped them shave a precious hour off her journey. Rostron, who was a religious man, later reflected: “I can only conclude another hand than mine was on the helm.”

Carpathia reached Titanic’s last known coordinates in three hours. Thirty minutes later, they found the first of the lifeboats. It would take four more hours, till about 8:15 am, for the last of the survivors to be brought on board. Crew and passengers alike participated in the rescue — with passengers giving up their berths and clothes, and comforting those rescued. A total of 705 passengers from the original 2208 were brought on board. Dangerously over capacity, Carpathia set sail for New York (the Titanic’s original destination), arriving three days later on April 18th where they were greeted by thousands of people.

That night, a miracle took place on the Atlantic. The crew and passengers on board the Carpathia knew how far they were and they knew their chances. But they continued anyway. They sailed through the dark and ice with the hope that they could make a difference, even just a little one. And they did.

What a remarkable example of the power of intention and the force of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds.

And here is Carpathia’s lesson for us all.

When there is a crisis in your community, does the ensuing chaos and uncertainty pull you down, or lift you up? How can you use hassles and hiccups, the minor strife of everyday life, to train your mind to think the right thoughts, hold the right intentions, and then execute the right behaviors, so that you are instinctually primed to rise to the occasion when there is a crisis in the community, like the Carpathia did for the Titanic?

Warmly,
Hitendra

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