Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-19
Side of Titanic Torn Out by the eWonn and Children Put in Boats Amid
Wild SenesMn Face Death Like eroesGaphic Stories Told
The Survivors=Why Was the Titanic in the Ice Zone?
PASSENGERS STATEMENTS.

New York, April 1S.-"The following
statement issued by a committee of
| the surviving passengers was given
the press on the arrival of the Car
pathia:
I'VE. the undersigned surviving pas
sengers from the 5. S. Titanic, in order
to forestall any sensational or exag
gerated statements, deem it our duty
to give to the press a statement OF
facts which have come 10 our knowl
edge and which we believe to be true.
ION Sunday. April a. 1872, at about
1f.40 r NJ. on cold starlight night in
smooth sea and with no moon the
ship struck an iceberg which had been
reported to the bridge by lookouts. but
not early enough to avoid collision.
Steps were taken TO ascertain the DAM
age and save passengers and ship. Or
ders were given TO put ON life belts
and the boats were lowered. The ship
sank at about 30 \. NJ Monday and
the usual distress signals We're sent
out by wireless and rockets fired at
intervals from the ship. Fortunately
the wireless message was received by
the Cunard s. s. Garpathia at about 2
o'clock midnight. and she arrived on
the scene of the disaster at about
A. NJ, Monday.
THE officers and crew of the s. S.
Carpathia had been preparing all night
for the rescue and comfort of the sur
vivors and We're received on board with
the most touching care and kindness,
every attention being given to all r-
respective of class. The passengers,
officers and crew gave up gladly their
stateroCms. clothing and comforts for
our benefits.
THE English Board of Trade pas
senger certificate on Titanic allowed
for a total of approximately $500. The
same certificate called for life boat ac
commodation for approximately $50 in
the following boats: IA large life boats
two smaller boats and four collapsible
boats. Life preservers were accessible
and apparently in sufficient number
for all on board.
The approximate number of pas
sengers carried at the time of collision
was:
First class, $50: second class, 500;
third class, 750; total 1400.
"Of1cers and crew, $40. Total, 2340.
"Of the foregoing the following
were ItSNhtd ny Sits1iiiSllp Nsdl Pcttiilti-
First class 2l0; second class 125;
third class 200; officers A. seamen 80;
stewards sc; firemen 71-total 210 of
the crew. The total about 745 aved
was about so per cent. of the maxi
mum capacity of the lifeboats.
1--WE feel it our duty to call the at
tention of the public to what we con-
slider the inadequate supply of life
saving appliances provided for on
modern passenger steamships and
recommend that immediate steps be
taken to compel passenger steamers
to carry sufficient boats to accommo-
date the maximum number of people
carried on board. The following facts
were observed and should be remem
bered in this connection:
1.-THE insufficiency of lifehoats,
RATS, etc, lack of trained seamen to
man same (stokers, stewards, etc, are
not efficient boat handlers); not
enough officers to carry out emergen-
cy orders on the bridge and superin-
tend the launching and control of
lifehoats: absence of searehlights.
THE Board of Trade rules allow
for entirely too many people in each
boat to permit the same to be prop
erly handled On the Titanic the boat
| deck was about rs feet above water
! and consequently the passengers We're
! requested to embark before lowering
boats. thus endangering the operation
! and preventing the taking on of the
maximum number the boats would
| hold. Boats at all times to be prop
erN equipped with provisions, water,
lamps. compasses. lights, etc. Live
| saving boat drills should be more fire.
! uuent and thoroughly carried out and
| officers should be armed at boat
drills Greater reduction in speed, in
! fog and ice, as damage if collision ac-
| tually occurs is liable to be less. In
| conclusion we suggest that an inter-
national conference be called to rec
ommend the passage of Identical laws
| providing for the safety of all at sea
| and we urge the United States gov
eminent to take the initiative as soon
as possible"
4 Continued on Page Three.)