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TITANIC'S PASSENGERS ALL SAVED -------------------------------- ICEBERG DID NOT SINK GIANT LINER -------------------------------- Disabled Vessel Making for Halifax Under Her Own Steam. -------------------------------- 'VIRGINIAN,' 'PARISIAN' AND 'CARPATHIA' WENT TO THE RESCUE AND ARE IN ATTENDANCE --------------------------------
Halifax, April 15.--The Canadian Government Marine Agency here has received a wireless despatch that the 'Titanic' is sinking. The message came via the cable ship 'Minia' off Cape Race. It is said that the steamers towing the 'Titanic' were endeavoring to get her into shoal water near Cape Race for the purpose of beaching her. The White Star liner 'Titanic,' the biggest vessel afloat, collied with an ice berg on her maiden voyage at 10.25 Sunday night, whe about 350 miles south of Cape Race. Thirty boatloads of passengers have been taken off by the Allan liner 'Parisian,' and the Cunard liner 'Carpathia,' and the 'Virginian,' of the Allan line, and 'Olympic' and 'Baltic,' of the White Star line, are hastening to the scene. First word of the accident was received by the wireless operator of the 'Virginian' at 10.30 Sunday night, and was forwarded to Montreal by wire. It stated that the liner had struck an iceberg, that she was sinking by the head, and that women were being put off in the lifeboats. The 'Virginian' at once went full steam to the rescue, but apparently the 'Parisian' and 'Carpathian' were nearer at hand and got there first, though the 'Virginian' is now reported as being in attendance. A message to the White Star Line Monday afternoon states that the assengers are safe, and that the disabled liner is making her way to Halifax, where preparations are being made to receive her.
The Allan Liner 'Virginian,' which, in company with the 'Parisian and 'Carpathia,' is convoying the disabled 'Titanic' to Halifax.
Wireless despatches up three o'clock Monday showed that the passengers of the monster White Star liner 'Titanic,' which struck an iceberg off the New-foundland coast last night, were being transferred aboard the steamer 'Carpathia, a Cunarder which left New York April 13 for Naples. |
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NEWS OF THE RESCUE RECEIVED AT LOCAL OFFICE.
Before noon on Monday the White Star offices here received a wire from Halifax stating that the 'Parisian,' of the Allan line, and the 'Carpathia,' of the Cunard line, had arrived alongside the disabled 'Titanic,' and were taking her passengers on board. Until then no communication had been received, and no details were obtainable. It was thought likely that the 'Titanic' would be brought to Halifax and Mr. Mitchell, of the White Star office, in Montreal, left for Halifax in order to make arrangements for the reception of the big liner. Comparatively few inquiries wer made at the office by people having friends or relatives on board, and to all the same reply was made that the ship was practically unsinkable, and the passengers could all be accommodated in the lifeboats. There was no danger, it was said, of the ship sinking before all her passengers were removed. The first despatch received stated that the weather was calm, and it was considered that there would be no difficulty in getting all the 1.300 passengers to safty. Some satisfaction was obtained from the fact that there were a number of other liners in the vicinity of the 'Titanic,' and within the radius covered by the wireless apparatus, and which would hasten to the 'Titanic's' assistance as soon as they heard of the accident.
PROBABLY NO LOSS OF LIFE, THOUGHT MR. HANNAH
Mr. Geo Hannah, of the Allan Line, stated to a 'Witness' reporter Monday morning, that although the accident which had occured to the 'Titanic' was a most serious one, it was probable that as the weather was fair and the great steamer was well provided with life boats that no loss of life might occur. Mr. Hannah stated that the fact that the bow of the steamer was sinking did not necessary mean that a head on collision had occured, but if so the crew and the steerage passengers in the bow of the steamer would have been the ones to suffer.
OTHER INSTANCES OF COLLISIONS WITH ICEBERGS.
Mr. Hannah then mentionned the steamer 'Africa,' of the Cunard line, which struck an iceberg and put safely into St. John, N. F. In a crippled condition also the steamer 'Arizona,' of the Guien line, which, about 30 years ago, when a new vessel ran full speed into an iceberg, but was also able to put into St. John's Newfoundland. The 'Edinburgh' and the 'City of Berlin' also fared fortunately in this respect. On the other hand Mr. Hannah recalled the 'City of Glasgow,' the 'City of Boston' and the 'President' which sailed away, but were never heard from, probably sunk in collision with icebergs. All these cases, however, occured before the blessed invention of the Marconi method of sending messages. Mr. Hannah stated that the 'Titanic' was probably the finest equipped vessel afloat, and that with her present number of passengers provided calm weather continued, she should be able to put all passengers and crew into the boats, but this would take some time, and with a large number of passengers and large crew confusion might occur. The last signals which were received from the 'Titanic' which were blurred and cut off, he said were ominous. He stated that it was also unfortunate that the collision had occured at night, as the vessel might have been in darkness some time as a result.
PASSENGERS INCLUDE C. M. HAYS AND W. T. STEAD.
The White Star liner Titanic, the largest vessel afloat, left Southampton on April 10 on her maiden voyage for New York. When she left Southampton she had about 1.300 passengers on board, of whom 350 were in the first cabin. Among these latter are F. D. Millet, the artist and president of the Consolidated American Academy at Rome; Major Archibald Butt, military aide to President Taft; C. M. Hays, president of the Grand Trunk Railway; J. Bruce Ismay, chairman and managing director of the White Star line; Henry B. Harris, the American theatrical manager; W. T. Stead, who is due to speak at the peace Conference in Carnegie Hall, New York, on April 21; Mrs. Isalor Strauss, Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Mr. and Mrs. George D. Didener, Benjamin Guggenheim, and Mr. And Mrs. Harry Widener.
GIGANTIC PROPORTIONS OF WORLD'S LARGEST LINER
The 'Titanic,' which is a sister ship of the 'Olympic,' was only put into service this month after being built at Belfast. She is 882 1-2 feet long, 92 1-2 feet broad, 45,000 tons register, 66,000 tons displacement, with a height from keel to top of funnels of 175 feet. She is fitted with elevators, private promenade decks, Turkish baths, squash racket courts, verandah café and palm gardens, gymnasium and other noval features. She is a triple screw steamer, with 50,000 h.p. engines and could travel at a speed of 21 knots. Her crew numbers 890. The 'Titanic,' is divided into thirty-eight water water-tight compartments, so no matter how severely damaged the 'Titanic' may be from her impact with the iceberg, she would be able to keep afloat until the 'Virginian' reaches her. The distance from Halifax to Cape Race is 463 miles, which is more than an average day's run for even such a fast boat as the 'Virginian,' and as she was only fourteen hours out, it is certain her distance from Cape Race, though comparatively little for a Marconigram to be sent, must actually have been by no means inconsiderable.
SISTER SHIP 'OLYMPIC' HAD TWO ACCIDENTS.
The 'Titanic's' sister ship, the 'Olympic,' has suffered accidents on the two occasions since she was built. There was the collision withm H.M.S. 'Hawke' last September, which is still engaging the -------- of the courts of law on the ---- ----, and then only this year she struck some submerged wreckage which broke a blade of one of her propellers and necessitated her going into drydock at Belfast.
'VIRGINIAN' SAILED ON SATURDAY FROM HALIFAX
Halifax, N.S., April 15--The 'Virginian' left Halifax at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday night for Liverpool with the mails and three hundred passengers. She also took eighteen hundred barrels of apples from the port. The 'Virginian's' daily runs are something like three hundred and fifty miles, so that by midnight to-night the mail steamer would be about four hundred and twenty miles east of halifax.
SUCTION OF THE 'TITANIC' CAUSED MISHAP IN STRAIT
On leaving Southampton last Wednesday the 'Titanic' had a rather exciting moment while proceeding down Southampton water. Passing the White Star liner 'Oceanic' and the American liner 'New York,' which were berthed alongside one another, the suction of the 'Titanic's' triple screws dragged the 'New York' from her moorings and seven of that vessel's stern ropes parted. The stern of the 'New York' swung into mid stream and narroly escaped striking the 'Titanic,' which had to stop until the 'New York' was towed to a safer berth.
'EMPRESS OF BRITAIN' ENCOUNTERED ICE FIELD.
Liverpool, April 15. -- The Canadian Pacific Steamship Company's liner 'Empress of Britain,' which left St. John, N.B., on April 5, arrived here to-day, and reports having encountered an ice field of a hundred miles in extent when three days out from Halifax.
'TITANIC' CAN KEEP AFLOAT INDEFINITELY --------------------------- So Says 'White Star' Statement Which Declares no Alarm is Felt. ---------------------------
New York, April 15.--At ten o'clock Mr. Franklin, White-Star representative in New York, authorized the following statement:-- 'No alarm need be felt for 'Titanic's' passengers. While no direct message from the 'Titanic' had been received at the office, the officials were perfectly satisfied that there was no cause for alarm regarding the safety of the passengers or the ship, as they regarded the 'Titanic' as being practically unsinkable. They do not regard the cessation of the ship's wireless messages as denoting anything serious, as this might have been caused by atmospheric disturbances or other causes. The 'Titanic' is well able to withstand almost any exterior damage, and could keep afloat indefinitely after being struck. The 'Titanic' is now in latitude 41.46 north, and 50.14 west. She is being approached from the west by the 'Olympic,' of the White Star line, which they figure will be alongside by 8 p.m. to-day. The 'Baltic,' of the same line, which was east of the 'Titanic,' on its way to Europe, has turned back, and will probably be alongside the 'Titanic' by 4 p.m. today. The 'Virginian,' of the Allan line, eastward bound, is reported as rapidly approaching, and should be on the spot by ten o'clock this morning. The 'Olympic' has just been reported as having been in dirct communication by wireless with the 'Titanic'. Mr. Franklin was most emphatic in his assurances regarding the safety of the passengers and the steamer. Mr. Franklin said that he had computed the time mentioned inthe foregoing statemennt by Atlantic time, which is one hour ahead of eastern time.
--------------------------- INSURED FOR $5,0000,000. ---------------------------- Diamonds Aboard Alone thought to be Worth that Sum. ----------------------------
The 'Titanic' was insured at Lloyds for $5,000,000. No definite information is obtainable as to the amount of valuables on board, but it is generally understood that the vessel tooks diamonds, whose estimated value is as high as $5,000,000, but this is admittedly largely conjecture. She also took a large amount of bonds. The news of the wreck received here is all coming from New York, with the exception of one message received at 2 a.m. from Lloyds signal station at Cape Race, giving only the first details that she had struck an iceberg and as ina sinking condition, and that the transfer of the passengers had begun at once.
--------------------------- TO LAND AT HALIFAX --------------------------- Special Trains to Take 600 Passengers to New York. ---------------------------
New Haven, Conn., April 15. -- The operating officers of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway Company have been notified that the passengers ofthe 'Titanic' will be landed at Halifax. There will be about six hundred passengers requiring transportation to New York by sleeping cars and some 800 by ordinary coaches. This will require the carrying out of the task by running five or more through trains from Halifax to New York. The supply of sleeping coaches will be drawn from the New England roads, the Canadian Pacific, and probably to some extent from New York Central.
'TITANIC' COST $10,000,000 --------------------------- Even if She Reaches Port Owners Will Lose $750,000 ---------------------------
London, April 15.--A member of a prominent firm of underwritters, when informed of the disaster to the 'Titanic,' said: 'Even if the 'Titanic' reaches port her owners will have to calculate on a loss of at least $750,000, but if she becomes a total loss it will be an extremely serious matter. The vessel cost $10,000,000 to build. Her hull is valued for insurance purposes at $5,000,000. 'Then there are all sorts of miscellaneous matters to be taken into account for disbusements and for passage money and freights paid in advance, as well as forstores, baggage and other things. I do not suppose the owners are covered to the extent of more than $7,500,00, or at the most $7,500,000.'
BUILDERS BELIEVE 'TITANIC' UNSINKABLE.
Belfast, April 15.--A representative of Harland & Wolff, the constructors of the 'Titanic,' interviewed to-day, said that if the 'Titanic' were sinking the collision must have been of great force. The plating of the vessel, he said, was of the heaviest calibre, and even if it were pierced any two of her compartments could be flooded without imperilling the safety of the ship.
CINEMATOGRAPHER ABOARD.
London. April 15.--Mr.W.H. Harbeck, Canadian cinematograph operator, is on the 'Titanic,' being sent to obtain films of the incidents of the initial voyage.
--------------------------- TUG TO MEET 'TITANIC' --------------------------- Disabled Liner Low in the Water, But Likely to Reach Halifax ---------------------------
A despatch was received over the private wire cf Mr. Thornton Davidson shortly before 3 p.m. from Halifax, saying that the government tug, 'Lady Laurier,' had gone to meet the 'Titanic.' The disabled liner was low in the water, but according to a wireless message received at Halifax the captain had hopes of bringing her to Halifax. All of the 1,300 passengers were removed in small boats to the Cunard liner 'Carpathia.'
--------------------------- THE WIRELESS OPERATOR.
New York, April 15. --The wireless operator on the 'Titanic,' who sent out the C. Q. D. Phillips, formerly employed as a wireless operator on James Gordon Bennett's yacht. Later he worked on the steamship 'Oceanic,' from which he was transferred to the new 'Titanic.'
--------------------------- SCULPTOR ON 'TITANIC.'
Quebec April 15.--Amongst the passengers on the 'Titanic' is Mr. Paul Chevre, the Parisian sculptor, who was coming to attend the inauguration of his work, the Mercier monument, erected in front of the Quebec Parliament buildings.
--------------------------- RACE TO RESCUE --------------------------- 'Virginian's' Wireless Picked Up Startling Message. ---------------------------
The seemingly unintelligible sputtering of the receiver in the Marconi office on board the Allan line Royal mail steamer 'Virginian,' at 10.30 last night, acquainted the operator of the fact that the 'Titanic,' the greatest leviathian on the sea, on her maiden voyage, had struck an iceberg and was in peril. The message was given to Captain Gamble, of the 'Virginian,' who immediately set out to the rescue of the disabled ship, which was about 150 miles away. In the meantime Capt. Gamble sent a wireless message, which was transmitted by telegraph to Mr. Geo. Hannah, passenger traffic manager of the Allan line in Montreal, at 11.10 o'clock last night. This was the first news which was received. The 'Virginian' left Halifax at 8.30 o'clock on Thursday night, with over 300 passengers aboard, and just about 28 hours later, when she was 450 miles east of Halifax, the telegram arrived from Captain Gamble, saying he had received a wireless from the 'Titanic' saying she required assistance, and that he was proceeding to her aid under full steam. The 'Virginian proceeding at full speed expected to cover the 150 miles by 10 or 11 o'clock this morning. The 'Olympic' at an early hour this morning was in latitude 40.33 north and longitude 61.18 west. She was in direct communication with the 'Titanic', and was making all speed toward her. The 'Baltic' also reported herself about. Later messages received from the disabled ship stated that her bow was sinking, and that the women and children were being lowered in boats and the last message was blurred and not completed. This last signal was received by the 'Virginian' at 12.27 a.m.
--------------------------- TROUBLED BY ICE --------------------------- 'Corsican,' 'Carmania' and 'Niagara' Report Floes Very Far South. ---------------------------
Halifax, April 15.--The Allan liner 'Corsican' also reports passing thick ice near this coast, which is the furtherest south her officers remember ever having seen ice. The steamer made a wide detour to avoid it, which she succeeded in doing.
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New York, April 14.--The steamer 'Niagara,' of the French line, had several plates breaken last Thursday by colliding with small icebergs off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The news was brought here to-day by the Cunard liner 'Carmania,' which also had an exciting day threading her way among the great masses of ice. The 'Carmania' was steaming slowly through a light fog near the Grand Banks when she caught a wireless message from the 'Niagara.' The 'Niagara's' operator said the ship was in trouble as the result of striking small bergs. The 'Carmania' circled several times trying to find the other liner, but finally received a message which said that the 'Niagara' could finish her voyage to this port unassisted, and gave up the search. The bergs were encountered during the afternoon of last Thursday and at one time the steamer seemed surrounded by towering masses of ice. The largest measured 250 feet in height above the water, and its weight was estimated at 40,000 tons. A passenger with a statistical bent figured that if this berg could have been towed to port it would have sold for $240,000 at wholesale prices.
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