The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-04-26

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"Be British my men,"
This cry hurled through the night
air from the bridge of the Titanic
brought instant response and order
from the swaying crowd, of sailors
who at the first shock and the stop
ping of the boats engines had pour.
ed on deck, leaving behind them some
two hundred of their mates crushed
to death in the bow of the. steamer.
The men stood dazed for the III
slant, scarcely knowing what to do,
but officers, now armed, hurried
among them giving quiet instructions
and the line broke as the men hurried
to their stations.
By this time the saloons, the smok-
ing rooms, the grills had emptied
themselves of men and women, and
these were soon Joined by people from
below decks in scanty attire. The
engines had stopped and the huge
steamer lay upon quiet sea. There
is nothing to be afraid Of" came the
cry from the officers as they sped
along the deck assuring the nervous
passengers who stood quietly in
groups.
1t seemed as though they were right.
The night was clear and cold. The
sea almost like a millpond, and on
h. hn
unsuitable" Titanic. We've struck
an iceberg" was the general com
ment, but the berg had evidently
moved swiftly away with the current
for the ship was not close to any
large mass Of ice, though the sea
about was covered with the debris CT
foe.
The band on the deck struck up a
lively tune and the spirits of the
crowds on the deck arose. There
was some laughter and a good deal
of chattering about an interesting ad-
venture. The huge ship still held the
confidence of all.
Comes Rude Awakening.
Suddenly there came a tremble and
a sharp list and some people were
thrown to the deck. The band broke
for the second and then came back
into action stronger than ever. But
a chill of fear had swept over the
crowd. Suddenly there was a rush
of feet, angry cries and some of the
men rushed to the assistance of the
crew who were trying to hold back
some crazed immigrants who had
made a dash for the boats.
CAN passengers on deck with life
belts on" came the sharp cry from
tho bridge which instantly taken up
by the officers was carried all over
the vessel, Fear settled upon the
crowd and the women began to weep
Still it was hard to believe that any
thing could happen to the Titanic and
1t is reported that some scoffed al
what seemed to be a needless precau
ton. The laughter had stopped. how
ever, and men looked at one another
seriously and out over the dark wa
tiers for help.
"All to the lifeboats," came a or!
which followed another sharp list anC
the, passengers suddenly became aware
that the ship had settled considerably
Silently the crew removed the tar
paulins, swung the boats free anl
curled up the ropes which were t.
lower them by the pulley blocks. Tn
band was still playing ragtime tunes
Facing Grim Fate.
Swiftly now the realization ha'
come that this was serious matter
There was no panic, the men striving
their best to allay the fears Of tn
women, but the officers, grim and FOL
bidding with guns showing, were civ
ing swift orders. People were be
ing brought up on deck every mir
ute. The lights had gone out an
then had come on again. Men wer
being told off to man the boats. N
lights were to be seen in the all Ell
Veloplng DARKNESS winch Surrounde
the ship, and few people realized tina
the wireless had been calling, calling
calling for at least twenty minutes
fiinging it's &c. Q. D." for miles in e'
cry direction; nor did they kno'
that dozen boats had caught the fl
tai message, and that one, the Carpi
thia, had turned instantly and, thong
miles away, was speeding to the spo
The boats, empty as yet, were b.
ing slowly lowered to the next dec
when there came a swish and a roa
and a huge rocket tore hole in tn
night and went sputtering up mi
the sky. This told the story to tn
huddle groups below, There was nc