The Resume

(February 28, 1873-April 15, 1912)
Died in Titanic tragedy
First Officer of Titanic and officer of the deck during the icebergs striking
Son of Captain Samuel Murdoch
Married Australian school teacher Ada Florence Banks
Served on several white star ships from 1900 to 1911, including the Olympic (on which he was 1st officer)

Why he might be annoying:

He was on watch when the Titanic struck the iceberg.
He did not act to reduce the speed of the Titanic while he was in an area reported to contain icebergs.

Why he might not be annoying:

He gave orders while in an intense pressure situation.
He gave the fateful order 'hard to starboard, engines full astern.'
He was portrayed in the James Cameron film 'Titanic' as a coward who shot himself after he killed a steerage passenger, which was shown to be inaccurate later and both his home town in Scotland and 81 year old nephew, Scott, received an apology.
As his nephew pointed out, the apology will be forgotten in a year or two, but the film and false portrayal will remain.
In actual fact, William was last seen filling lifeboats with women and children.
His lifeboats were filled with more people than other officers' boats.
He is a hero to his home town's people.
He went down with the ship and carried out his duty to the last.
He inspired a piece of music on the 'Titanic' film soundtrack named 'Take us out, Mr Murdoch.'

Credit: Mr. Jordan

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Fandango/Zoidberg/New Zealand History X's Profiles [Series 1]
• I Died by Drowning
• I Died in 1912 (Ranked: 39)
• I Died in My 30s (Ranked: 39)
• I Died on April 15th [Death and Taxes] (Ranked: 1912)
• Profiles 11251-11500 (Ranked: 11376)
• Titanic Passengers
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19120415)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 136 Votes: 51.47% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 29 Votes: 37.93% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 56 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 38 Votes: 44.74% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 68 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 128 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 177 Votes: 40.68% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 164 Votes: 36.59% Annoying