Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1912-04-26
STATEMENT BY PASSENGERS.

STATEMENT BY PASSENGERS.
The following statement issued by a
committee of the surviving passengers
was given the press on the arrival Of
the Carpathia
"We, the undersigned surviving pas.
sengers from the steamship Titanic, in
order to forsstall any exaggerated
statements, deem it our duty to give
to the press statement of facts, which
have come to our knowledge and which
we believe to be true.
''On Sunday, April IA, 1912, at
about 11:40 p. m. 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 damage and save the
passengers and ship. Orders were Civ
en- to put on life belts and the boats
! were lowered.
"The ship sank at about 1920 a. M,
Monday, and the usual distress sig.
nails were sent out by wireless and
rockets at intervals from the ship.
Fortunately, the wireless message was
received by the Cunard's Carpathia at
about midnight and she arrived on the
scene of the disaster about a. m.
Monday.
The officers and crew of the steam
ship Carpathia had been preparing all
night for the rescue and comfort Of
the survivors and the last mentioned
were received on board with the most
touching care and kindness, every at
tention being given irrespective of
class. The passengers, officers and
crew gave up gladly their staterooms,
clothing and comforts for our benefit.
| All honor to them.
'fThe English board of trade pas.
sengers' certificate on board the Titan
ic showed approximately $500. The
same certificate called for life boat
accommodation Of approximately $50
in Is large life boats, two smaller boats
and four collapsible boats.
"The approximate number of passen-
gers carried at the time Of the collision
was:
"First class, $50; second class, 800;
third. class, $50; total, 1,4oo; officers
and crew, $40; total, 2,340.
| "Of the foregoing about the follow
ing were rescued by the steamship
Carpathia: First class, 210; second
class, 1875; third class, 200; officers, 4;
seamen, 80; stewards, 90; 6remen, Il;
total, 21O of crew. The total above,
IT'S saved, was about 80 per cent Of
the maximum capacity of the lift boats.
"We feel it our duty to call the at
tention of the public to what we con-
slider the inadequate supply of life saw
ing appliances provided for on modern
passenger steamships and recommend
that immediate steps be taken to COM
pei passenger steamships to carry suffic.
lent boats to accommodate the maxi
mum number of people carried on
board. The following facts were OBJ
served and should be considered in this
connection:
"The insufficiency of life boats,
RATS, ETC., lack of trained seamen TO
man same (stokers, stewards, ETC., not
efficient boat-handlers), not enough Of
ticers to carry out emergency orders
on the bridge, and superintend the
launching and control of life boats;
absence of searchlights.
sThe board Of trade rules allow for
entirely to many people in each boat
to permit the same to be properly han
died. On the Titanic, the boat deck
was about rs feet above water and con-
sequently passengers were required to
embark before lowering the boats, thus
endangering the operation and prevent
ing the taking on of maximum the
number the boats would hold.
"The boats at all times to be prop
erly equipped with provisions, water
lamps, compasses, lights, etc, life saw
ing boat drills should be more frequent
and thoroughly carried out; and officer.
should be armed at boat drills. A great
reduction in speed in fog and ice, as
damage if collision actually occurs is
liable to be less.
In conclusion we suggest that an in
ternational 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 govern.
ment to take the initiative as soon as
possible.
Signed by Samuel Goldenberg,
Chairman Of Committee.
Tho Hroo% Nnrfhorr hos vno1o a urv,n