New-York tribune., 1909-01-26

everywhere for the vessel had struck but the
fog was so thick that nothing could ne seen Of her
for some time. Then, after we located her. the
Republic. her passengers were transferred to our
boat
Every one who had witnessed the calmness.
fortitude and judgment shown by the American
women who the Republic had only words
of admiration and praise for their brave conduct.
Mrs. Alice Morse Eearle OF Worcester. Mass I'm
stepping from lifeboat fell overheard her rescue
being effected with difficulty. One OF the
women whose action in the face Of danger re-
bounded credit on American womanhood was Miss
Elizabeth Potter, of Chicago Four times she
coolly made her way 10 her stateroom. She was
able to get together her jewelry. Miss Potter was
in the first boat that left the Republic
THE order for the transfer of the passengers" ."
said Miss Potter. ito the Florida time
after the wreck. during most of which period.
cording to the women. nearly all the passengers
were crowded well forward the Republic. Ea ger
ly they watched Captain Sealby on bridge.
Distinction between first class passengers and
steerage had been done away with We all
fellow passengers dlstress-that's what there
was TO it; and the first cabin lady OF degree who
might have been lucky enough TO have donned
of her handsomest gowns in the melee felt,
you in way indisposed in rubbing elbows with
her ragged sister of the steerage. So. too, it
when 1t came time for get into the lfeboats.
LONG. ANXIOUS WATT
1T was a long. long time before knew we
were to be transferred to the Florida, although
there had been much conjecture among us from
the start to what would be done Finally Cap
tain Sealby the bridge, turned himself toward
with his hand uplifted signal for our atten-
tion. which. needless to say, quickly given.
Then in voice which we ali heard. he said:
- The passengers of the Republic will be trans
ferred the steamship Florida Those. 1 think.
were his exact words though l am not certain.
There amplifcation OF the message, and we
stood ready for the journey One thing which Cap
tain sealby told us at the start was that The
women and children would be the first transferred
The lifeboats were swung out from the davtts
The passengers got them in very good order.
There jostlng and exhibition Of frenzy
The Italian OF the steerage and the
Portuguese showed themselves little fearful. but
the excellent discipline about them kept them in
control. All in all the conduct of the women was
excellent. II is unfortunate that right at the
start there should have been exhibition by
the that otherwise He not
old man, either, but he surely did seem the most
scared persons of all Despite the order that the
women be first in the transfer he clam
bered into the first boat lowered. the same ona In
which Mrs. Crande and myself found ourselves
There was yell of dertsion from the passengers
who crowded the rail they looked down from
the liner after the boat had been lowered to ind
that of the men passengers was in the small
boat The sailors who were TO row the lifeboat
and the officer in command of them plainly showed
their contempt for the fellow.
An order was shouted them 10 put him out.
They did And he came back UP to the high
deck of the Republic in very ignomnious fashion,
being made haul his way up ladder. which
he had the ability to do with any kind of
grace that could be called becoming, and the pas
sengers jeered all the while he was making the
Journey.
Mrs II. l.. Griggs OF New York, who was in
jured had miraculous escape. She was found
under pile Of debris. and for time II was be-
Iieved that she was dead The women Of the Re
public's passengers told of most unhy gienic condi
tfons on the Florida, and the transfer TO the Bal
tic was welcomed. AS boatoad after boatioad OF
the Republics passengers were brought to the ltal-
ian vessel her cramped accommodations became
so crowded that few hundred of the newcomers
seated themselves wherever they might on the
decks. Women sat matches, bags Of potatoes or
leaned their exhausted bodies against the rails
Macaroui was the principal item of the bill of fare
There were anxious. dark hours of waiting on
Saturday night before the second transfer was
made to the Baltic.
PRAISE OF CAPTAIN RANSOM
The resolutions praising Captain Ransom were
sdopted at a meeting the cabin passengers on the
Baltic on Sunday at which Harry Ducross. jr
presided. They read:
Whereas. On approaching New York word vas
red been IN Collision With the steamship Florida
in the vicinity of Nantucket lightshp and was in
Whereas the prevailing dense fog made ordinary
navigation difisult and searching for crippled
Whereas. The commander OF the Baltic success
ferring over sixteen hundred souls in open boats
without single mishap; therefore, be II -. -.
Resolved, That the passengers or the oaltr mere
by convey 10 ]. B. Ransom, r. n r. ms 9ncerS' '
manship, courage and devotion dspiayeo' II IL
further .,.,.r ,o for
waried to Messrs. Isnay, Imrie & Co or IAEeIss
pool managing owners of the White Star Line ana
TO the secretary OF Lloyds. London
At another meeting on the Baltic the following
letter was Endorsed by the passengers. 10 be sent
to Captain Ransom:
To Captain J. B. Ransom, r: r. o-
We are requested behalf of the saloon passer-
gers of the rova mail steamships Baltic and Re
public 10 hand over to you the 1ncloseo sum M. ~
ards of the two White Star ships and or the Fi9I,
ida as 8 mark OF their appreciation of the spiencI
enorts made by them in transporting ana assistlls
nassengers w no were in such urgent need as a re-
snIt Of the unfortunate accident of yesterday morn
shall he grateful if you cen do the favor.
leaving the disposition OF the sum CohtIi'"'Fu ~
each vessel in your hands. ,,+..e
W.. are sir yours sincerely. tne comm
CHARLES WARD. Chairman steamship oii'o'
- IAMTGIFs F. Steamship BaItc
aR1-rJT1F3 ,FSS- Steamship Baltic:
DR. NJ e WALSTEIN. steamship hepuohc'
An indication Of the magnificent discipline ana
,.ter, that prevailed all through the trying hours
that followed the collision was speech maze py
Captain sealby to the Republics oifcers aiio ere"
.fier the messengers had Deen safely put ashore
Men " he ssid I want TO thank you tor the
snle,l,d way m which you have stood oS me III the
hour Of :.eed The ship 's not sinking ana am
sure she is safe for a while. We VIII no" nave
breakfast
And all hands sat down TO breakfast as though
n thing r;isual had happened II was that same
coolness that assured the passengers OF the saiety