Never, never, as long as I live shall I forget the scenes that followed. The captain, officers and crew were all energetic. The discipline and self-control was everything to be desired. The captain said there would be plenty of time to lower the boats, and with care, attention and obedience to orders, no one need be lost. The women and children were placed in order so that they could be put into the first boat.
Women can, when put to the test, face danger as well as men, and sometimes better.
Many of those present were delicately nurtured women, yet they faced death without one word of complaint from first to last. Then to see the parting of husbands from wives, mothers from children, brothers from sisters, never expecting to see each other again. It was enough to unnerve the stoutest heart. There was no hurry or confusion in any way. Miss Arthur was the first to be swung over the side of the ship to the life-boat below.