Carpathia
William Owens
This powerful work depicts the frantic voyage of the RMS Carpathia, the first ship to arrive on the scene after receiving a distress call from the Titanic. Determined to save as many lives as possible, the captain managed to squeeze 17 knots out of a supposed 14-knot vessel.
The music depicts the vibrations of the ship's hull along with the hissing of the boiler. As Carpathia arrives on the terrible scene, the music relinquishes its fast pace to a slow, mournful hymn. After a brief moment of tranquility, the music intensifies as the rescue ship embarks on her triumphant yet tragic return voyage to safety.