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Something must be done by the Board of Trade to insist upon a large number of lifeboats being provided for giant liners. Only twenty lifboats were supplied by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for the Titanic, and even twenty, according to the Right Hon. A. M. Carlisle, the man who, as general manager to the company, was responsible for the building, was four in excess of the number required to comply with the Borad of Trade regulations. "As ships grew bigger, I was always in | favour of increasing the lifeboat accommodation," said Mr. Carlisle, "yet it remains the same for a ship of 50,000 tons as for one of 10,000." The photograph shows the lifeboats on board the Titanic. It was taken while the giant liner was in Queenstown Harbour on Thursday of last week, in sight of land for the last time. Two boats, or even three if necessary, may be swun, as easily as one on this type of davit. It will be seen that three is only one in the photograph. |
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CAPTAIN SMITH SHOOTS HIMSELF ON BRIDGE.
The Carpathia has brought back its terrible freight of living and dead. Commander's Suicide After Grim Struggle with Revolver in Library. NOT ENOUGH OFFICERS, NOT ENOUGH BOATS,' Survivors' Appalling Indictment of the equipment of the "World's Largest Liner." DEATH-ROLL NOW TOUCHES NEARLY 1,600. Heartrending Scenes at Arrival of Carpathia with Her Tragic Freight at New York. TITANIC PASSENGERS' STATEMENT OF THE TRUTH. Three Italians Shot Dead in Panic-Stricken Rush for the Lifeboats. Dead men can tell no tales--but the living have written an indictment of mismanagement at sea that will thrill the world. A committee of the Titanic's survivors met on board and wrote down the truth as they saw ithow the Titanic went down, and why; how so few people were saved, and why; and how, in the hour of his agony Captain Smith, commander of the world's largest and most luxurious liner, shot himself dead on the bridge of his sinking ship. Two continents wept when the Titanic went down. But the sinking, terrible as it was and horrifying, is as nothing to the charge which those responsible must face. The world will know why nearly 1600 people diedthe world will find out who is to blame. |
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NEW YORK, April 18 (10.10 p-m.).- The following statement, issued by a committee of the surviving passengers, has been given to the Press:-SURVIVORS' DESCRIPTION OF THE CATASTROPHE. We, the undersigned surviing passengers of the Titanic, in order to forestall any sensational and exaggerated statements, deem it our duty to give to the Press a statement of the facts which have come to our knowledge, and which we believe to be true:- On Sunday, April 14, at about 11.40, on a cold, starlit night, the ship struck an iceberg which had been reported to the bridge by the look-out, but not early enough to avoid collision. Steps were taken to ascertain the damage and save the passengers and the ship. Orders were given to put on lifebelts, the boats were lowered, and the usual distress signals were sent out by wireless telegraphy and rockets were fired at intervals. Fortunately, a wireless message was received by the Carpathia about midnight. She arrived on the scene of the disaster about 4 a.m. on Monday. The officers and crew of the Carpathia had ben preparing all night for the rescue work and for the comfort of the survivors. These were received on board with the most touching care and kindness, every attention being given to all, irrespective of class. Passengers, officers and crew gladly gave up their state-rooms, clothing and comforts for our benefit. All honour to them. The English Board of Trade passengers' certificate on board the Titanic allowed for a total of approximately 3,500. The same certificate called for lifeboat accomodation for approximately 950 in the following boats:- Fouteen large lifeboats, two smaller boats, four collapsible boats. Life preservers were accessible in apparently sufficient number for all on board. The approximate number of passengers carried at the time of the collision was:- First class ............. 330 Second class ........ 320 Third class ............ 750 __________________________ Total .................... 1,400 Officers and crew . 940 __________________________ Total .................... 2,340 Of the foregoing about the following number were rescued by the Carpathia:- First class ............. 210 Second class ........ 125 Third class ............ 200 Officers ...................... 4 Seamen .................... 39 Stewards .................. 36 Firemen .................... 71 Crew ....................... 210 __________________________ Total (about) ......... 775 |
The number saved was about 80 per cent of the maximum capacity of the lifeboats. The boats at all times to be properly equiped with provisions, water, lamps, compasses, lights, etc. Life-saving boat drills should be made frequent and thoroughly carried out, and officers should be armed at boat drill. A greater reduction in speed in fog and ice, as the damage if a collision actually occurs is liable to be less. We feel it our duty to call the attention of the public to what we consider the inadequate supply of life-saving appliance provided for modern passenger steamships and recommand that immediate steps be taken to compei passenger steamers to carry sufficient boats to accommodate the maximum number of people carried on board. The following facts were observed and should be considered in this connection:- In addition to the insufficiency of lifeboats, rafts, etc., there was a lack of trained seamen to man the same. stockers, stewards, etc., are not efficient boat handlers. There were not enough officers to carry out the emergency orders on the bridge and to superintend the launching and control of the lifeboats and an absence of searchlights. The Board of Trade rules allow for entirely too many people in each boat to permit the same to be properly handles.
The following message was posted outside the White Star offices at Southampton yesterday afternoon.HEART-BROKEN MESSAGE TO BEREAVED FROM THE WIDOW OF THE CAPTAIN. It is signed by Mrs. Smith, the widow of Captain E. J. Smith, R.N.R., of the Titanic:- "To my poor fellow-sufferers. "My heart overflows with grief for you all, and is laden with sorrow that you are weighed down with this terrible burden that has been thrust upon us. "May God be with us and comfort us all. "Yours in deep sympathy,
"ELEANOR SMITH."
On the Titanic the boat deck was about 75 ft. above water, and consequently the passengers were required to embark before lowering of the boats, thus endangering the operation and preventing the taking of the maximum number the boats would hold.In conclusion we suggest that an international conference should be called, and we recommand the passage of identical laws providing for the safety of all at sea. We urge the U.S. Government to take the initiative as soon as possible.- Reuter. The statement is signed by Mr. Samuel Goldenberg, chairman of the Passengers' Committee, and twenty-five others.- Reuter. |
NEW YORK, April 18.- The survivors state that the captain of the Titanic shot himself on the bridge.CAPTAIN SMITH'S SUICIDE NEW YORK, April 18 (11 p.m.).- It is asserted by one passenger of the Carpathia that Captain Smith committed sucide on the bridge of the Titanic before she went down and that the chief engineer also committed suicide. The same passenger states that three italians were shot dead in the struggle for the lifeboats. According to this circumstantial account of the captain's and the revolver was wrested from his hands in the library, but he broke away to the bridge and shot himself through the mouth.- Reuter.
NEW YORK, April 18 (10 p.m.).- The first survivors began to leave the ship at 9.35.LANDING 13 LIFEBOATS. The delay in docking was due to the necessity of taking off the Titanic's Thirteen lifeboats.- Reuter.
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A description of the splendid response to "The Daily Mail's" appeal on behalf of the Titanic sufferers appears on page 14.
NEW YORK, April 18.- Miss Andrews, an elderly lady, interviewed by the Exchange representative, said that the crash occured at 11.35 p.m. on Sunday night.WOMEN GO MAD IN THE BOATS. "Indescribable Sufferings" After the Liner Went Down. 'NEARER MY GOD TO THEE' The women and children got off in the lifeboats at 12.45 a.m. The Titanic sank at 2 a.m. and the Carpathia picked up the boats at 8.30 a.m. "Many women are insane," she added. "Mrs Astor is aboard. We didn't know until daybreak whether we would be rescued. We were in open boats eight hours and the suffering of all was indescribable.
NEW YORK, April 18.- Miss Bonnell, of Youngstown, Ohio, said the Titanic was ploughing through icefields when the collision occured. A large proportion of the passengers were asleep.ROUSED FROM SLEEP BY COLLISION The bottom bow drove into the iceberg, and the lower plates were torn asunder. Large volumes of water rushed in with irresistible force, and the liner began to sink rapidly by the bow. The Titanic seemed to slide across the top of the berg. The passengers hurriedly seized their clothing, and immediately the lifeboats were made ready. As the liner continued to gradually recede into the trough of the sea the passengers marched toward the stern. |
HYMN AS SHIP WENT DOWN
The orchestra belonging to the first cabin assembled on deck as the liner was going down and played "Nearer my God to Thee".In some of the boats women were shricking for their husbands, others were weeping, but many bravely took a turn with the oars.- Exchange. "By that time most of the lifeboats were some distance away, and only a faint sound of the strain of the hymn could be heard. As we pulled away from the ship we noticed that she was 'bogabcked,' showing that she was already breaking in two. "She was not telescoped, the force of the impact being sustained on the keel more than the bow. "We were in the small boats for more than four hours before we were rescued by the Carpathia.- Exchange.
NEW YORK, April 18.- Mr. C. H. Stengel, a first-class passenger, said that when the Titanic struck the iceberg the impact was terrific, and great blocks of ice were thrown on the deck, killing a number of people. The stern of the vessel rose in the air, and people ran shricking from their berths below.KILLED BY BLOCKS OF ICE Women and children, some of the former hysterical, having been rapidly separated from husbands, brothers and fathers, were quickly placed in boats by the sailors, who, like their officers, were heard to threaten men that they would shoot if male passengers attempted to get into the boats ahead of the women. Indeed, it was said that shots were actually heard. Mr. Stengel added that a number of men threw themselves into the sea when they saw that there was no chance of their reaching the boats. "How they died," he observed, "I do not know."- Exchange.
NEW YORK, April 18.- Mr. and Mrs. Isidor Straus were drowned together, Mrs. Straus refusing to leave her husband's side.'WHO WERE LOST AND ARE FOUND. According to the descriptions given by fellow-passengers, the noted New York millionaire and his wife went to their deaths together, standing arm in arm on the first cabin deck of the Titanic, Mr. Straus quietly and tenderly reassuring his wife so far as he could. As the lifeboats wer receding from the scene of the disaster the couple were observed standing still calmly awaiting their inevitable fate.
New York, Thursday.- It is a wild night outside the harbour and there is a heavy fog over the bay.CARPATHIA ARRIVES IN A STORM Rain is falling and there is lightning at intervals. Despite heavy weather, the Carpathia maintained a limited speed of thirteen knots per hour. When she passed the quarantine station doctors went aboard.- Exchange. Later.- Darkness and heavy rain delayed the warping into the dock of the Carpathia, which was accomplished very slowly. |
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TRAGEDY OF ABSENT NAMES
Two further lists of survivors of the Titanic were made public last night- one a short list unclassified issued in New York by the Cunard Company and the other a list of some 130 odd names of third-class passengers or crew sent by wireless from New York to the iffices of the White Star Line. "John Smith, Carpenter," and What It Means. MORE SURVIVORS LISTS. The list of steerage passengers is yet far from complete, but at best the death-roll in the third class can hardly be less than 450- 450 names missing from the list. The grim record is all the sadder and more moving because of the circumstances in which the majority of them went down. They were emigrants, and on such a boat as the Titanic, the best class of emigrants. They had left the old life behind with all its troubles and impossibilities and dragging-down hopelessness; tey had cast this slough off, and were going forth, full of hope once more, to a new existence where everything would be begun all over again. An then to be caught like rats in a trap! And no way out. On the horizon, life and high hopes; facing them, the agony of a long-drawn-out and horrible death. "John Smith, carpenter," among the names of missing does not convey much in glancing down the list. But "John Smith missing" means a whole world of trgedy somewhere. Somehow or other, things had gone wrong in England; somehow he was not the success he felt he ought to have been. So for the sum of £8 1s.- the price of a third-class cabin on the Titanic- John Smith purchased the chance of another start in life. Then one night, when almost in touch with the promised land, John Smith found himself in the middle of a huddled group ofdistranght fellow-creatures, faced with a death which was certain, but whch was not awift.
The following list, with many names mutilated by wireless transmission, is that sent from New York by Reuter yesterday, and at night added to and corrected by the White Star Company, who received apparently a similar list from New York via Southampton:--SOME OF THOSE SAVED.
THIRD CLASS PASSENGERS OR CREW
But to somebody-- some relative, some friend, some sweetheart-- the printing of a name is the gladdest news in all the world. |
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NEW YORK, April 18, 5 p.m.-- The following further list of survivors from the Titanic has been issued by the Cunard Compagny:--NAMES FROM NEW YORK. FIRST CLASS,-- Mrs. G. Thorne, Mrs. and Miss Compton SECOND CLASS.-- Caroline Deystrom, Mary Jerwan, Anna Hamlin and child (probably Anna Hamatinen and her infant son), Marian Kanton (probably Mrs. Kontar), Bertha Hett, Daisy Bright (probably Miss Dagmar Beight), Mildred Brown.
Still They waited yesterday-- the wives, mothers, sisters, daugthers of the men who went down with the Titanic.WOMEN'S VIGIL FOR NEWS OF DEAR ONES Waiting All Night at the White Star Offices for Names of Titanic's Saved. It was the fourth day of burdensome suspense to anguished hearts. To those who waited and watched for the remaining names of the saved it was the most dreadful day of all. For the news might arrive at any minute. Just before 10 p.m. a further list was posted up, and there was an almost frantic rush on the part of the sad crowd inside to gather the tatest tidings. One woman who had several relations on board the Titanic was completely overcome with emotion when she discovered that the names of loved ones were missing from the list. Since the first sinister news of the disaster to the Titanic shocked the world on Monday morning, hundreds and thousands of men, women and children have waited, half in hope, half in fear, for a name, for the word or two making all the difference between life and death to them. Day after day they have crowded the offices of the White Star Line, anxiously scanning the typed lists on the notice-boards, questioning the quiet-spoken officials. Yesterday the inquiries and visitors were not quite so numerous as previously, but all day long ther was a steady stream of grave-faced men and sad-eyed women seeking for news. Some of the men and women had been up all night in London, snatching what sleep they could in the Offices in Cockspur-street.
WOMAN'S TWO-DAY'S WAIT.
One woman had not left the building, except for a few short intervals to snatch some food, for two whole days. But yesterday morning, assured that no news could be expected for some hours and that she would be instantly informed by telegraph when any did come, she left the office and went sadly home.Another, young to know such tragedy, was a youth sixteen or so, whose father was engaged on the liner. He has haunted the building since Monday, and could no longer keep his feelings and fears to himself. "Tell me," he said, to a clerk, "tell me all you know. If my father is dead, don't hide it from me. I can bear the news; I know he is drowned. You can't shock me any more than I have been shocked." In a corner, sitting silently with a friend, was a woman, dressed in deep mourning, whose eyes had such deep, black hollows under them that at first sight it almost looked as if they had been bruised.
ALWAYS IN TEARS
Once an elderly lady groped her way from the notice board, where she had not found the name she was yearning to read. She went to the counter and began to ask if there was any news of her son.But before she could properly frame her question great gulping tears chocked her, and she turned away, her question unasked-- but answered for all that. And so, for hour after hour, things went on, the same familiar, grief-stricken figures coming in again and again, scanning the typed lists of passengers saved, and departing. Always there was no fresh news. Resignation-- a sort of deadened bowing to a cruel fate-- was the keynote of the scene. The waiting ones had become hardened; they had passed through the first anguish of fierce despair, and the ache in their souls was perhaps less poignantly wrenching. Some-- the more hopeful ones-- still expressed the sort of half-hearted conviction that some of the Titanic's passengers "must have been piched up by other vessels" than the Carpathia. But the tone in which they spoke showed that they did not really believe it in their innermost hearts. Generally hope deferred seemed to have made the heart sick-- and there were many sick, aching hearts in Cockspur-street all day yesterday. |
SOUTHAMPTON, April 18.-- There were further heartrending scenes here to-night, when, shortly before midnight, the mayor appealed to the waiting crowd of wives and other relatives of theTitanic's crew who had been anxiously scanning the lists of survivors-- first posted at 7 p.m.-- to go home and rest.WAITING FOR --- ? (From Our Own Correspondant.) There was little likelihood, continued the mayor, of further news for some hours, owing to atmospherical difficulties in the western ocean. Slowly and sadly the crowd then dispersed, and many women were led away sobbing bitterly. It was exactly 7 p.m. when the first large sheet of names of survivors on the Carpathia was affixed to the board outside the White Star offices here. There were about 400 persons present then, but soon a huge crowd had gathered. The names were written just as received, without any explanation whether they were third-class passengers or crew. Most of the thirty names in the first list were foreign and were not recognized by anyone in the crowd. Mr. Currie, the Southampton manager of the White Star, said the names were also being sent straight to the London offices for distribution. "We are getting the names very slowly," he said, "for the atmospheric conditions are bad, and it will be hours before we get them all. "As each name is received we have to send a telegram to the passenger's home in Italy, Scandinavia, France, or wherever it may be.
CROWD WATCHES IN SILENCE
Police formed a cordon in front of the board to keep back the crowd, which rapidly grew to an enormous size as the news that the names were being announced spread through the town. The dead silence of the waiting throng was most impressive.One little private message by wireless was posted after the first list : "Jimmy,-- Please call at 93, Millbrook-road for information about Patsy." In Southampton, the home of many of the Titanic's crew, the tragedy is too deep for tears. One widow, Mrs. Preston, of 42, Millbrook-street, told me that her son, Thomas Charles Prston, aged twenty-two, who was a coal trimmer on the Titanic, was the main support of herself and her four younger children. She has no means of livelihood, for she can no longer work at the washtub, and her second son is an errand boy, earning only a few shillings a week.
JUST A CHANCE.
"There is just a chance that Tom may be in a boat," she said, "for when the men are given boat stations they generally have one of each class in a boat."Mrs. May, of 75, York-street, told me she had both her husband and eldest son on the Titanic as firemen. "I have seven other younger children," she said, "besides my son Arthur. His wife and little son, two months old, also live with us so there are ten of us here. God help us !" The White Star Line announce that they are prepared to relieve temporary needs of relatives of the crew at Southampton and settle legal payments as soon as possible. All announcements as received are posted in black ink on sheets of white paper a yard square and in letters three inches deep, so that names can easily be read.
The following corrections were made yesterday afternoon to the official list of survivors posted at the West End branch of the White Star Line.--CORRECTING THE LISTS. FIRST CLASS.-- Mr. H. O. Chambers; the Countess of Rothes' maid. SECOND CLASS.-- Miss Margery Collyer. Names hitherto undecipherable were given as :-- SECOND CLASS.-- Mr. Marshall, Miss Nellie Walcroft, Miss Florence Ware. It is presumed that the names Chandamson, Ollivia, Renaga, Ranelt, Sogesser, Serepca and Thor are those of maids, and Lesneur and Steffanson valets. The following corrections are also made : "Read Kimberley as Kimball, Panhart as Anbert, Rogerson as Ryerson, Mr. and Mrs. Ward as Miss Anna Ward, and Mrs. Washington as Mrs. Washington Dodge." Miss Francatelli, whose name appeared among the first-class passengers, is stated to be Lady Duff Gordon's maid. |
"There must be a full inquiry into the loss of the Titanic. The disaster creates a new situation which will need to be the most carefully considered."HUMAN SACRIFICE TO RED TAPE. Recommendations for Life-Saving Hung Up Since Last July. FULL INQUIRY TO BE MADE So said Mr. Buxton, President of the Board of Trade, in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, in the course of a lunghly statement on the regulations governing passenger ships. Board of Trade regulations required on a ship of 10,000 tons and upwards accommodation for 960. This life-saving appliance on the Titanic were as follow :--
Accommodating.
16 boats on davits ..................990 Additional boats and rafts .................. 178 48 life-buoys, and 3,560 life-belts. Thus there was accommodation for 1,108 persons in boats and rafts, with 3,008 floating appliances. The certified maximum of passengers and crew was 3,500 and the actual number when the vessel left, 2,208. Mr. Buxton explained that the rules now in force were originally drawn up in 1800 and revised in 1894. The highest provision was for vessels of 10,000 tons and upwards.(N.B.-- There are nearly fifty British liners of over 10,000 tons up to the now building Gigantic of 54,000 tons.° Mr. Buxton went on to say that in view of the increased size of modern vessels. The Board of Trade only last year suggested a revision of these rules, and referred to the Advisory Committee on merchant shipping the question of the revision of the rules and any partivular provision to made in the case of steamers of large size. After considering this report, together with the views of the expert adviser, the Board of Trade were not satisfied that the increased provision recommanded by the Committee was adequate, and referred the matter back to the Committee for further examination. "Only last year," are the Minister's words. Only a few months wasted while thousands of lives are hazarded every day ! And now, apparently, 1,500 lives sacrified to Governmental RED TAPE. |
RACING ACROSS ATLANTIC.
"I wish the House to understand quite clearly," said Mr. Buxton, "that up to the present it has never been the intention of the Board of Trade regulations, and so far as I Know it has not been supported by any responsible expert authority, that every vessel, however large and well equipped as regards water-tight compartments, should necessarily carry lifeboats adequate to accommodate all on board.It had always been considered by expert authorities that the subdivision into watertight compartments should be taken into account in considering the minimum number of boats required. Racing across the Atlantic for a time record he could do nothing to discourage.
In view of Mr. Buxton's statement concerning the seventeen year's lethargy of the Board of Trade and its awakening last year, some facts about the tonnage of modern passenger vessels make interresting reading.LIVES THROWN AWAY BY DELAY Investigation of Lloyd's Register reveals the existence of some fifty-eight British liners of more than 10,000 tons. Including the Titanic these mau be divided as follow :-- OVER 40,000 TONS : Titanic, Olympic OVER 30,000 TONS : Mauretania, Lusitania OVER 20,000 TONS : Adriatic, Baltic, Cedric, Celtic OVER 15,000 TONS : Caronia, Carmania, Franconia, Lanenia With fourteen liners over 13,500 tons, and about twenty-four vessels of 10,000 to 12,500 tons. All the above vessels under existing Government regulations carry the same minimum lifeboats accommodation. The glaring blunder of departmental somnolence becomes even more startlingly apparent when we come to boat accommodation figures, of xhich the following examples (quoted from Lloyd's list) are eloquent :-- Accomodation for Lifeboats held Titanic ............... 3.547 ............. 1,108 Adriatic ............. 2,235 ............. 1,038 Mauretania ....... 2,972 ................ 978 Orama ................ 1,241 ................ 972 The report of Sir Norman Hill's committee on lifeboats, which was published by Mr. Buxton last night, was sent to the Board of Trade LAST JULY. They recommand that the number of boats to be placed under davits for vessels of 10,000 tons and upwards be sixteen, and that additional boats should be readily available as follow :-- ....... Vessels. ..................Extra Lifeboats 12,000 to 20,000 tons ...................... 2 20,000 to 35,000 tons ...................... 4 35,000 to 45,000 tons ...................... 6 Over 45,000 tons ............................. 8 Had these recommandations been provisionally adopted the Titanic's boats could have accommodated 1n496 persons-- a possible saving of at least 300 more lives. (Photographs on pages 1, 8 and 9)
Some 3,000 bags of letters and 800 parcels have gone down with the Titanic, said the Postmaster General last night. |
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