Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-04-26
The Prevailing Topic.

vi AuSo tlc Ouiy ucWS Cudu HIoy NC ~
garded as anything like authentic,
the reported wireless messages hith-
erto received being in many in.
stances contradictory and quite Of
ten of doubtful authenticity. 1t
turns out that the iceberg on which
the Titanic struck had been sighted
by the lookout and reported to the
bridge. The big ship, notwithstand-
ing warnings had been forging ahead
at rate of 81 miles an hour, de-
termined on making a record voy-
age. There was no panic, and the
report that emigrants had been shot
is emphatically denied.
All women and children were given
an opportunity to escape; Mrs. Isa-
dore Straus preferring death with
her husband, rather than to take to
the boats. ife-preservers were dis
tributed, and it was known from the
first that the vessel would 60 down.
The ship disappeared with lights
burning and bands playing and L.
COL victims went down with her.
The Carpathia appeared in re-
Spouse to the message of distress sent
in four hours before. On striking
she loosened great quantities of
ice which fell on the deck. and melt
ing caused water to flow into the up
per cabins. The jar was only slight
and by no means so severe as re-
suits might bave lead to expect.
Passengers relate how Col. Astor
kissed his wife while assisting her
into boat, and then stood at at
tention" as the boat left.
Another passenger said: Mary
Hays. of New York, saw two-year-
old child wading about on the deck
of the Titanic and enjoying himself,
when the rush for the life boats
started. She grabbed up the little
one and carried him in her arms up-
til taken from the life boat by the
crew of the Carpathia. and saved him.
As she left the Carpathia in New
York she carried him in her arms
and does not know who he is, for none
of the Carpathia passengers claimed
him"
The English Board Of Trade certifi-
cate on board the Titanic shows
approximately $500. The same cer-
tifcate called for life boat accommo-
dalton for approximately $50 in the
following boats: IA large life boats.
Il smallar boats and four collapsible
boats. Life preservers were accessi-
BILE and apparently in sufficient num-
Der for all on board. The appoxi-
mate number Of passengers carried
at the time Of the collision were, first
class $50, second class $50, and third
class $50, total /. 400; officers and crew
$40, total 2.340. OF the foregoing the
following were rescued upon the
steamship Carpathia: first class 210;
second class 126; third class 200;
officers 4; seamen 80; stewards IS;
firemen Il; total 21O Of tho crew.
The total Of 74b saved was about 30
| per cent Of the maximum capacity Of
| the lifeboats.
A committee OF q passengers have
published these facts and the fol-.
lowing statement. The suggestions
made indicate conditions that are
untold. and will no doubt be made the
object Of thorough investigation:
I'VE feel it our duty - call the at
tention Of the public to what We con-
slider the inadequate supply Of life
saving appliances provided our mod
ern passenger steamship. and recon-
mend that immediate steps be taken
tocompel passenger steamers to carry
sufficient boats 70 accommodate the
maximum number Of people carried
on board. The following facts were
observed and should be considered IN
this connection: Insuficiency Of life
/ . =
boats, RATS. etc. Lack Of trained
seaman to man the same (stokers,
stewards, etc, are not efficient boat
handler0. Not enough officers to
carry out emergency orders on the
bridge. to superintend the launching
and control Of lifeboats and the alb
sence OF searchlights. The board Of
trade rules allow for too many people
in each boat to permit the same to
be properly handled. On the Titanic
the boat deck was about u feet above
water. and consequently the passen-
gers were required to embark before
lowering the boats, thus endanRering
the operation and preventing the TAX
| ing on Of the maximum number tho
boats would hold. Boats at al time
to be properly equipped with pro-
visions. water. lamps, lights. etc.
Life saving boat drills should be more
frequent and thoroughly carried out.
and officers should b armed at boat
drill. Great reduction in speed in
fog and ice. Is damage il collision oc-
ours is liable TO be less.
In conclusion we suggest that an
international conference be called to
recommend the passage Of identical
laws providing for the safety Of all
at sea, and we urge tho United States
government to take the initiative q
soon as possible.