The Washington herald., 1909-01-26
New York Banker Describes
Scenes on the Republic.
GLAD TO LEAVE THE FLORIDA
OveFcrOwded Condition OF Italian
Vessel Makes Transfer to the Baltic
Calls Work of Rescue SO Method
zeal rs 10 Seem Like CIOckwOrk.

me banker. said that he had never seen
better discipline than was displayed on
board the Republic during the time from
Immediately after the accident until the
last OF the passengers was sent away 10
The Florida He said.
From the moment that the Florida
smashed into Us there was absolute or
der. I was not awake at the time that
the ships came together. but a very few
seconds later was. ] think the force
OF the impart awakened me 1 slipped
into a dressing gown and went out Of
ny room to investigate. Here and there
saw the head Of a dazed, half
awakened feTIow-p passenger sticking out
OF a sTateroOm door. but when reached
the deck I could learn nothing I went
back 10 my room and began 10 put on
my clothing, because knew that some
thing unusual had taken place.
II had gotten about half dressed when
the lights went out and left US in entire
darkness"
Here Gen Ives fshed in his pocket and
produced a small silver case that had
contained a wax candle.
This WAS Of the greatest assistance
10 me-" said he. and others after the
Republics 6ynamos were out Of busi-
ness. Orders had been given TO the
stewards 20 see that all the passengers
had left their staterooms and were as
sembled on the promenade deck The
little candle gave light TO many women
in the psSsageways-"
Wen show Goodness.
cipline Of the crew of the Republic under
Capt. SeaIby. zone would have thought
that the men Of the Republic" he said.
had been drilled for the occasion and
that IL vas an everyday occurrence for
them 10 assist in the transfer Of snip
wrecked passengers The time that we
spent on the Florida was. If anything
about as bad as any part Of the business
until We got or the Baltic. We did not
know how badly the Florida had been
injured. and as she was settling by the
head with her stern rising in the air.
ne were by no means certain that IL was
not case Of out Of the frying pan into
The FIRE For one. I was relieved when
we had gOf safely on the Baltic. where
every one. from the captain down. did
everything that they could for the com
fort OF the passengers Of both the Repub-
IL and the Florida
James CoCkrOft. Of the law publishing
firm OF Edward Thompson Company. this
city. who lives al NOrthpOrt. L 7 who
was accompanied by his wife. was one
man who found that It IS always well 10
be prepared for any emergency. He mas
spent a great deal OF MS time in travel
ing and for fifteen years q pair OF
al
constant travelling companions. They
came in handy Saturday morning when
the Republic was IN darkness. The
light had gone out when AIr and Mrs
COckr0fr we're tumbIed Out Of their
bertks, and they managed 10 dress BY the
light OF the pocket lamps. Then Mr
Coclrof- went out with the lights and
helped many grateful women 70 ind
clothing sufficient 70 go on deck
Good Discipline on Republic.
Samuel Cupples. a prominent manufac-
turer Of St Louis. said that the disci-
pine Of the crew Of the Republic was
the one reason OF the safe transfer OF
the passengers n the double header res
cue. For the discipline Of the crew Of
the Florida he had little to say, but
he did say the influence Of the discipline
Of the Republics crew made itself felt
on board the Florida
he said: After We had been routed
cut Of our staterOom the actions Of TIE
stewards OF the Republic were so
methodIcaI that I became so fascinated
that I for the time being forgot our
peril. The men went from room 70 room,
so methodIcaIIy that IL seemed Ike clock
work And the way they answered the
queries Of their officers viii never for
get When the captain had escertaIned,
IN the language Of the sea, that It was
All clear, sir and he knew that there
was no passenger IN danger, it was only
eIeyen seconds until II was announced
that al OF the compartments had been
closed"
Mr.. Cupples was accompanied By his
daughter, Mrs. Scudder, and her three
yeaT-oid daughter. and Dr. Wagner. the
family physician. They were on their
way 10 Egypt for an eight months trip.
but - Cvpples said that he would take
the first train for the West and stay in
the vicinity Of the Mississippi River for
some line TO come.
Albert " Mead, also OF Boston, who
was travelling with his wife, was able
10 tell much Of the accident, for Re was
awake for some time before the ships
came together.
Heard the Whistles.
1T was stufTy in our room" he said.
and about 4 O'Clock I got up 10 open the
door Then I lay down again. Soon I
heard the whistle OF the Republic blow
ing al regular intervals. and realized
that fog had settled. In a little tine.
in the distance, I heard the whistle Of
another ship, and as the seconds passed
II grew louder Then Il came very near.
and as I vas about 70 get out Of my
berth I heard the whistle very near.
and then there was tbs impact OF the
collision Ny wife, found- was awake.
We dressed as fast as we could
The most anxious time for me was
when. because women anu children went
first I had 10 be separated from rav
wife Il was many hours before I saw
her again Naturally, On the Florida We
had hard time There was no accom-
modation for the great number Of pas
sengers, and al were huddled together.
There was much disorder among the i'm
migrants who were IN the steerage OF
the Italian ship
When we were leaving the Florida
for the Baltic, efter many uncomfortable /
hours, We saw many things that were
not 70 be seen while leaving the Re
public The immigrants were Unruly, and I
the men Of the Republic. who took mat 4
ters in hand in the lowering OF the
boats were compelled TO use force IN 4
order TO keep back the Fiorida's pas j
sengers, who insisted on getting in the
boats before the women had been taken 1