Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-30

the last word In marine CONSTRUCTION
Going into the matter Of tests OF the
vessei, matters which are vigorously re-
qu'red In battleshlps, the repo't en'-
phasizes their utter lack
NO sufficient tests were MADE OF the
po'iers. which were fired almost as eooh
as the vessel left the constructors yaros
AT beirast, and kept IN operation almost
continuously to the time of the Initial
voyage.
NO proper tests were made OF the gear
ing OF the water-tight doors apparently
oeIore the voyage 1t was pointed out ny
"he expert witness that no tests what-
ever or these doors we're made on the
voyage at any time.
NO LIFE SAVING TESTS.
There were no tests of life saving APP
paratus after the voyage began, and not
single life drill during It's progress.
Inc crow was never sent to Its stations
despite the testimony OF one witness
VINO said he had seen one drill take
pace This testimony has been previous
" disputed by that Of half dozen Off
GERS whose business 1t was to conduct
such tests
Inc lack of any helpful diciplne Is
also brought out and severely comment
ed on. The crew did not go to their
stations when the alarm was sounded
Every officer at a lifeboat had to pick
up what men he could find. and many
Of them had extreme difficulty in get
ting any help whatever
III the matter of lacks which the
report deals with. particular mention is
made Of lack of tests of bulkheads.
which alore stood between the passeng-
ers and their doom after the vessel was
rent by the collision.
The report gives the number of pas
sengers on board as lS2i, members of
the crew, 500
PRAISE FOR WIRELESS MEN
There is praise for Phillips and Bride
the wireless operators, one of whim Phil
lips. was rescued from the water only to
freeze to death huddled in the bottom OF
the overturned collapsibe boat
Inc necessity of wireless apparatus IN
l!fe-saving is dwelt upon, and special
attention Is paid to the Importance O;
placing two men on every vessel however
small, III order that constant watch may
lie Kept on each other By the sisters of the
sea on their voyages through the dan
Eerous northern waters.
The report goes .everely after Captain
Lord of the British steamship Calitor-
Man, whose vessel saw the rockets of the
Titanic ana who failed to go to her relief
although he va, but few miles away
distance he might readily have covered
with his vessel in time to save practically
all the Titanic passengers.
WANTS CAPTAIN PUNISHED.
The failure of the captain Of the caifor.
MAN to arouse his wireless operator the
minute lie saw the rockets, or the rocket.
were reported to him. the report charac.
terI1es as nexcusable. The English law
is quoted and it is urged that it be in
voked against Lord.
There is nothing but praise, on the other
hand, for the heroic Captain Rostron OF
the Carpathia, who entirely by accident
learned of the disaster and, putting every
thing else aside, equipped his ship for q
emergency race with death that is quite
without precedent in the annals of navi
cation.
Getting down to the question of thu
British Board of Trade the report is out
| spoken in its condemnation OF antigua tee
shipping laws and played out admnistra
tive boards 1t announces that the pun
ishment Of those responsible must be lief
to the British board whose members spen
but a little while less than four hours
in inspecting a ship which was to carr!
thousands of human beings across thu
waters. The nations are asked TO act to
gethcr in shipping reforms, whose neet
Is eloquently urged.
The report is review of the disaster
| which will bring il wildly back to tn,
memory of the people who for week:
thought of little else 1t will call forcibll
to the attention of Congress the neeC
of acting now, while the time is ripe
In a matter which concerns the future
safety Of all Americans who put to sea
1t will advocate bills for pr0per-life
saving equipment. and, in the opinion
Of those who have seen IT, will lead Il
the early enactment of Immediately
beneficial egislatOn-probably befor,
adjournment.
In conclusion better pay Is urged TO
sailors. Americans are urged to go int
the merchant marine and an earnest plea
Is made that greater dignity be givei
10 tile work of heroic tolers of the sea