Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-03
BR|TONS CHARGE
TITANIC LAX|TY
Ship Rushed HeadIong Into Ice
After Being Warned, States
Attorney General.

LONDON. Nav 3.-The international
Seamen's union today demanded repre-
sentation at the governments inquiry
into the Titanic disaster. which is being
conducted by Lord Mersey and FIVE
wreck commissioners at the London
Scottish drill hall. and it was granted.
Attorney General Sir Rufus 1saacs
outlined the governments case by say
ing that he would introduce evidence 70
show that there was dangerous ice IN
the lane which the Titanic was travers-
inc. and that he will bring before the
court evidence to show that warnings
of ioebergs and ice GROWERS were
given 10 the Titanic by the Baltic and
Caronia on the day Of the disaster. he
would also show the court. he said,
that southerly marine route was
available for vessels at this time OF
year
The Titanic had complied with every
safeguarding law, continued the attor-
new general. and the disaster which
sent her TO the bottom had not resulted
from breach Of such regulations.
"The vessel steamed at the rate OF Il
KNOTS an hour from the commencement
Of her journey. 30 idi ar -" ="
certained, this speed was never reduced
and she was travelling at that speed
when she struck the iceberg that sent
her 10 the bottom"
Rushed Into Danger.
Lord Mersev here interrupted to ask
cam | right in supposing that the
Titanic ran into a locality where ice
was after being warned that the ice
was there
yes" responded the attorney gen
eral.
Lord Mersey continued According
20 the indications made for me on the
chart by my colleagues, it looks to me
as though. after being warned OF the
location of the ice. the Titanic made di-
rect for the danger zone"
After these interruptions Sir Kufus
went on where he had broken off when
interrupted by the presiding official.
II wish to emphasize to the court the
Importance Of the fact that, after be-
ing warned of the ice dangers, the IL
4anic did not reduce her speed, ne
said
"More than wireless warning had
heen given. just little while before
the collision the lookout on the snip
crows nest had sounded three bells
indicating that the ship was approach
SO something. Ii viii be shown that
the lookout men on the Titanic had
snec,al instructions TO watch for ice,
n,,t ca far as | know nothing further
than this was done"
one thing which inevitably stands
II IN
the triumph OF wireless telegraphy. II
a. had not been for the wireless ne
said II is doubtful II any one on the
Titanic would have been saved.
Further along, reviewing the eVi-
dence, he said
az, seems clear from the evidence at
hopd that some OF the lifeboats were
not loaded 10 their full capacity and
women and children were left behind.
Lord Mersev announced to the COM
,,,ssioners and counsel that theirs
.,,o,,ld he no sessions tomorrow or Nom
xsv but that the inquiry would be re-
rumed Tuesday.
To Probe Speed.
- summing IN. Sir Rufus said
"The salient points which appear 10
me to be of greatest importance are
these:
after the warnings.
second, the number of hteooats cay
-,ad was insufficient to accommodate
all aboard the vessel
"Third. the construction Of this ship
md the utility of the water-ught doors
- 40 commandment
"The relative number of the various
class messengers saved must also en-
cage the courts attention at some
length
"Roughly. sc per cent OF the FIRST
cabin passengers We're taken on ~
per cent Of the second cabin passengers,
and only per cent Of the third class.
"Another fact that stands out is that
ont Of the large number Of men carried
as passengers, only 1875 were saved"
Sailor Saw No Ice.
The taking OF testimony was COM
menoed Immediately after Sir Rufus
ha6 concluded. and Archie Jewel a sea-
: man on the Titanic was the first wit
ness called He was interrogated by
Solicitor General Sir John simon who
appeared for the Board of Trade.
Jewel said he, with another sailor
named Symons. was in the crows nest
of the Titanic on the night Of the dis
aster.
Jewel testified
81 remember receiving q telephone
message from the bridge TO be on the
lookout for ice. both big and small We
were warned 10 be very alert"
"Did you see any ice?"