New-York tribune., 1912-04-29
SURVIVORS OF TITANIC
ARRIVE IN BRITISH PORT
Government Fails in Plan to Hold
Incommunicado Men OF III
Starred Liners Crew.
SEAFARERS' UNION ACTIVE
Board of Trade officials Sepa-
rate Sailors from Their Coun-
sci, but So Placed Men
Refuse to Speak.

Refuse TO SPEAK.
Plymouth, April 2S.-One hundred ana
sixty-seven survivors Of the crew OF the
Titanic sembarked from the Lapland
here this morning. Crowds OF people on
the docks and on the heights around the
town witnessed the arrival OK the
steamer and the landing OF the small
contingent that remained Of the crew
which had manned the great steamer OF
the White Star Line. Relatives greeted
many OF the seamen. while others were
there to inquire regarding those who
were lost.
The plans OF the Board OF Trade Off
cials to detain the crew in barracks until
the statements of all could be formally
taken were frustrated through the ac-
ton of President Lewis and other off,
cials of the British Seafarers' Union, the
same organization which counselled the
strike OF the Olympic's crew. They ad-
vised the seamen that the Board of
Trade had no power to confine them and
that they should not submit to such
treatment. and after few hours deten-
tion the men were accorded the liberty
OF the port.
The Lapland was sighted entering the
harbor at o'clock. When she anchored
in Cawsand Bay an hour later three big
tenders were waiting, two Of which took
of the passengers and mails. The third
carried several representatives OF the
Board Of Trade, six lawyers for the
Transcription OF the statements OF the
survivors, White Star officials, including
the managing director, Harold Sander
son. and +. B. Grenfell head Of Morgan.
Grenfell & Co, who is director OF the
line, and the port officers. This tender
had been chartered by the Board Of
Trade for the reception OF the TitanIcs
crew.
Anxious to Proceed.
The transfer 10 the tenders was quick
ly accomplished, because the captain o.
the Lapland was anxious TO proceed to
his destination with as little delay as
possible. Twenty stewardesses were
among the survivors.
The tender manPuvred about the har-
Dor for some time before starting for tho
dock. The men were Informed that their
statements wo,:,d be taken and that
they would ne Set free. Among the small
boats following was one with representa-
tives Of the Seafarers Union aboard.
President Lewis and Secretary Cannon
hailed the scamen and shouted 10 them
officers were taken aboard as parties to
the proceedings. The sailors stoutly fol-
lowed this advice. and after much par
leying the Board OF Trade officials. find
ing that Il was impossible to proceed
with tho work. invited the union officials
TO embark. which they promptly did.
When the survivors finally clambered
UP the dock at noon loud cheers greeted
them. They made straight for the win
dows OF the waiting room overlooking
the street. searching for friends and rel
atives one stoker deserted his brother.
TO whom he shouted: Toms gone. At
the last minute he refused to go over
board"
Many persons wearing mourning anx-
iously sought details Of the last hours OF
relatives who went down with the ship.
The rules forbdding reporters on the
dock were strictly enforced. The sea
men had counted upon going directly 10
their homes in Southampton, and were
-.
imprisonment.
Detention Was Legal.
The chief legal adviser to the Board
Of Trade, Mr.. Wolverton, explained that
he was acting strictly within the law in
OBTAINING the men until their depositions
were taken. The Board OF Trade as
sumed full responsibility for this action.
and every one would obtain his liberty
as soon as ne made a statement. whether
the individual in question was wanted
at the inquiry or not. He added that all
would he required to report to the Re-
ceiver OF Wrecks.
The first squad was released from the
dock. and thirty newspaper men sur
rounded the men and obtained many in
teresting stories Of personal experiences
similar 10 those told I'm the United States
stories Of suffering on RATS, death from
exposure and rescues from the water
All agreed that the crew and passengers
clung TO the belief that the Titanic could
not sink and made light of the collision.
According to one seaman, Captain
Smiths last words were: Every man
for himself
Eighty-fve of the seamen and firemen
started for Southampton In a special
train at 6 o'clock tonight. The re-
mainder Of the survivors. comprising
stewards, stewardesses and cooks. will
leave at noon tomorrow, by which time
the Board Of Trade will have the state
ments Of all.
Southampton. April S-Great crowds as
sembIed at the dock tonight To greet the
returning members OF the Titanic's crew.
Strong cordons OF police guarded the dock
and railway station. and only relatives OF
the survivors were admitted 10 the plat
form. where the Mayor of Southampton
and n White Star official welcomed the men
MANY affecting scenes OF reunion were