First Officer Murdoch (from 2012 Miniseries)

**First Officer Murdoch** is a main character in 2012 Miniseries and Senior Officer of *RMS Titanic*

## Official Description

Previously Chief Officer, Murdoch finds himself demoted to First Officer when Henry Wilde is brought in on the pretext of his previous experience in *Olympic* – despite the fact that Murdoch too has sailed as an officer in that same ship. Murdoch is the officer in charge on the bridge when *Titanic* encounters the iceberg.

## Biography

When Murdoch was originally Chief Officer of the *Titanic* before Wilde came on board to be the new Chief Officer. During a meeting with Captain Smith, he expresses concern of a possible anarchist attack on the *Titanic* which Captain Smith assures Murdoch and the other officers that the all White Star ships carry guns and that there won't be any worry for any danger around the *Titanic*.

When Wilde is transferred to the *Titanic*, Murdoch is demoted to First Officer and Lightoller is demoted to Second Officer. Despite Wilde's experience on the *Olympic*, Murdoch points out to Captain Smith that he was also an officer aboard the *Olympic* and that he knowns how the *Titanic* operates. However Captain Smith says he cannot undo the company order, and David Blair is removed off the *Titanic*.

During the boarding of passengers on the Titanic at Southampton, he helps Stewardess Desmond with blankets that were knocked out of her hands by a passenger not looking where he was going. He informs her that First Class is booked solid, with open spaces in Second and Third Class.

On the night of April 14th, 1912; he overhears Captain Smith giving out the order to increase the speed (despite Bruce Ismay telling Captain Smith that it wasn't necessary to increase speed) and reminds him of the ice warnings from other ships in the area. Once the binoculars are reported missing, Captain Smith leaves the bridge. Murdoch and Wilde get into a heated conversation about the ship's speed where Wilde threatens to have Murdoch placed in the brig for questioning Captain Smith's orders. Later on, Sixth Officer Moody gets a call from the Crow's Nest and informs them of an iceberg in their path. Murdoch tries to maneuver the *Titanic*, but it is too late.

Because he knowns that the *Titanic* is sinking, he allows passengers of the lower classes into the lifeboats (including men), but is forced to use his gun to stop the rushing of Lifeboat #15 and tells them to wait at the stern.

At the launching of Collapsible C, he orders Fifth Officer Lowe to take command of the lifeboat and then gives the order to lower the boat (just as Ismay climbs in).

Murdoch is last seen alive in the bridge talking to Captain Smith, about Ismay's escape and how Captain Smith shouldn't be hard on himself. Just before he leaves, Smith tells him not to think harsh of him and that his last thoughts were for his wife. Unfortunately, Murdoch also looses his life during the sinking of the *Titanic*.

## Trivia

* Brian McCardie, Murdoch's portrayer was 47 years old during the filming.
	+ McCardie is from Glasgow, so his Scottish accent would be different than Murdoch's Dalbeattie accent. McCardie visited Dalbeattie and studied their language and incorporated the correct accent for his performance.