Final answer:
Historical records indicate that the Titanic had an insufficient number of binoculars that were not distributed to each lifeboat. A key issue was that the binoculars were locked away and not available to the lookout crew.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief regarding the number of binoculars on the Titanic and their distribution is largely based on historical records and witness testimony. There is a commonly held belief that the lookout crew did not have access to binoculars, which could have possibly helped in spotting the iceberg sooner. There are varying accounts, but most suggest that the Titanic had an insufficient number of binoculars and they were not distributed to each lifeboat. The key mistake was that the binoculars were locked away, and the crew member responsible for them had been replaced last minute, and as a result, the key was not passed on to the new crew.