James Paul Moody, 6th officer of the RMS Titanic was 24 years of age at the time of the disaster. Not only was he the most junior officer, he was also the youngest. He was born in Scarborough, England on 21 August 1887, and he lived in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England at the time of the disaster.

      Not much is known about this heroic young officer aside from the night of April 14. We do know that he spent a fair amount of time in sailing ships pre-White Star Line. His first stint for the Line was on the Oceanic. It is there Mr. Moody met his close confidante Davie Blair, who was to be the original 2nd officer on the Titanic. Davie was bumped to make room for Henry Tingle Wilde as Chief Officer.

      Moody was transferred from the Oceanic to the Titanic. This was considered to be a boon to the young officer's career. Not only did he get transferred to the pride of the White Star Line for her maiden voyage, he got his own cabin, which was a compensation for not receiving an increase in pay, though it was described as the size of a cupboard (Butler 53).

      We also know that Mr. Moody had a sister and a unique sense of humor, as he wrote "I've been here a week, chiefly occupied trying to find my way about the big omnibus" while still berthed in Belfast (Butler 53).

      On launching day, we do know that Mr. Moody had one responsibility: to supervise the removal of the last gangway (Butler 41). The next time we hear of Mr. Moody's actions is 6pm on April 14. While sharing the watch with 2nd officer Charles Herbert Lightoller, the senior officer decided to give Moody an impromptu test on his navigational skills. Moody was asked to calculate when the Titanic would be upon ice. Moody reported 11pm. At the time, Lightoller was disappointed, as he had predicted 9:30pm. It never occurred to Lightoller that Moody may have seen a report that he did not (Lynch 76). History would show that Moody was close, as the Titanic was struck at 11:35pm.

      At 11:35pm, Lookout Frederick Fleet places the phone call to the bridge that will live in infamy. Moody is the one who answers the call, "Iceberg, right ahead!" He responds with a "Thank you" before relaying the message to 1st officer William McMaster Murdoch, who is the senior officer on duty. Moody then stood by Quartermaster Hichens' left side, where he affirmed Murdoch's order of "Hard astarboard!" by replying "The helm's hard over, sir" (Wade 168).

      At 11:40, Moody was ordered to enter the collision in the log (Lynch 89). That was the beginning of what was probably the longest night of his life.

      The reports of Moody during the night have been numerous and confusing. We know that lifeboat # 13 was under his charge, as he deposited a young Ruth Becker into it when she asked if she could enter (Lynch 118).

      Surviving Stewardess Violet Jessup also had a probable encounter with Moody. We are not entirely sure because she changed names in her memoirs. This is the report she gave:

      The idea of Mason being Moody is supported by Steward Ray's claim that a baby boy belonging to the Caldwells was handed to him, which he handed to a nearby woman (Lynch 118).

      5th officer Harold Godfrey Lowe had an encounter with Moody while they filled boats 14 & 16. Lowe remarked that he had seen 5 boats lowered, and one of the next 2 ought to have an officer. Moody answered, "You go. I will get in another boat (Lynch 121).

      The last thing we know of Moody during the sinking is that he helped load Collapsible A, which he had wanted to float from the deck, but men had already attached it (Lynch 121). This boat would have been easier launched had it not been attached to davits, as the deck was at the water line.

      This heroic young officer lost his life that fateful April night, and was the only junior officer to do so. No one saw Moody after Collapsible A. It was thought by some that perhaps Davie Blair could have persuaded him to man a lifeboat had he been there that night, which was Moody's right as a junior officer. It is also possible that nothing could have persuaded him to man one.

      James Paul Moody will forever be remembered for his role during the sinking of the Titanic.