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Reginald Lee, Lookout on the Titanic

Reginald Robinson Lee shared the crow's-nest watch with Frederick Fleet when Titanic's iceberg appeared ahead. Fleet gave the bell and telephone warning, while Lee watched the iceberg pass along the starboard side and later helped with the evacuation. His evidence adds important detail about visibility, haze, the missing binoculars and the few seconds between sighting and impact.

Written and researched by Don St GermainLast reviewed:
Full name Reginald Robinson Lee
Born May 19, 1870, Benson, Oxfordshire
Titanic role Lookout, deck department
Watch partner Frederick Fleet
Survival Lifeboat 13
Died August 6, 1913, Southampton

Key facts

  • Lee and Fleet were experienced lookouts and gave the required warning when the iceberg became visible.
  • Lee described haze near the horizon, while visibility evidence from other witnesses was not completely uniform.
  • He survived in Lifeboat 13 and testified at the British inquiry.
  • Lee died in 1913, only sixteen months after the disaster.

An experienced seaman before Titanic

Lee was born in Benson, Oxfordshire, in 1870 and spent many years at sea. By 1912 he was older and more experienced than Fleet, with service in several vessels before signing on to Titanic's deck department.

Lookouts did not steer the ship or choose its speed. Their job was to scan ahead, signal an object and report it by telephone. Bridge officers then decided how the ship should respond.

The 10 p.m. to midnight lookout watch

Lee and Fleet relieved the previous lookouts at 10 p.m. on April 14. The night was moonless and calm. Lee later described a haze along the horizon, while other witnesses gave different impressions of atmospheric conditions.

The crow's nest had no binoculars available. Lee said glasses might have helped identify an object, but detection depended primarily on careful unaided observation across a wide field.

The iceberg sighting

Fleet saw a dark mass ahead shortly before 11:40 p.m., struck three bells and telephoned the bridge with the warning. Lee remained in the nest and watched the iceberg approach and pass down Titanic's starboard side.

The turn had begun before impact, but there was too little distance to clear the berg. Lee's evidence supported the conclusion that the lookouts gave the required warning as soon as the object was recognized.

Evacuation and Lifeboat 13

After the watch ended, Lee assisted during the emergency and eventually entered Lifeboat 13. That boat was lowered on the starboard side, nearly came beneath descending Boat 15, and was cut free in time.

Carpathia rescued the occupants after dawn. Lee then returned to Britain and appeared before the Wreck Commissioner's inquiry.

Testimony and later life

Lee was questioned about the haze, visibility, lookout instructions, binoculars and the iceberg's appearance. His evidence sometimes differed from Fleet's in emphasis, a reminder that two men standing together could remember a brief emergency differently.

He continued working at sea after Titanic. Lee died at the Sailors' Home in Southampton on August 6, 1913, from natural causes following pneumonia and pleurisy. He was one of the earliest Titanic survivors to die.

Sources used for this biography

Inquiry testimony is used for Titanic events, with specialist biography research for life before and after the disaster.

Related people and events

How Big Was the Iceberg?How big was Titanic’s iceberg? The exact size is unknown, but witnesses estimated roughly 50 to 100 feet above water. See what the 1912 evidence actually says.Frederick FleetLearn how lookout Frederick Fleet spotted Titanic’s iceberg, rang three bells, called the bridge, testified about binoculars and survived in Lifeboat 6.Titanic Iceberg WarningsSee the principal Titanic iceberg warnings, when they arrived, whether the bridge received them, and how they shaped the final hours.Titanic Sinking TimelineFollow the Titanic sinking timeline from the 11:40 p.m. iceberg collision to the 2:20 a.m. final plunge and Carpathia rescue.Titanic LifeboatsTitanic carried 20 lifeboats with room for 1,178 people. Search the complete lifeboat list, capacity, launch order, estimated occupants and rescue history.Titanic OfficersMeet Titanic’s captain and seven deck officers, see their ranks and duties, and learn which four officers survived the sinking.Titanic InquiriesCompare the 1912 American and British Titanic inquiries, their witnesses, findings on speed, lifeboats and Californian, and safety recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

Did Reginald Lee see the iceberg?

Yes. He was in the crow's nest with Frederick Fleet and watched the iceberg pass along Titanic's starboard side.

Who rang the lookout bell?

Frederick Fleet struck three bells and telephoned the bridge; Lee was his watch partner.

Did Reginald Lee survive?

Yes. He survived in Lifeboat 13.