September 20, 1911, RMS Olympic, nicknamed “Old Reliable,” collided with the British cruiser HMS Hawke during her fifth voyage. The Hawke rammed the starboard side of Olympic’s stern, tearing two large holes above and below the waterline, twisting a propeller shaft, and flooding two compartments. Captain Edward J. Smith, who would command Titanic less than a year later, was in charge at the time. Olympic managed to return to Southampton, while Hawke suffered severe damage. Stewardess Violet Jess