Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-04-19

| - hc iOilON ing SldIcuCuI lSoueu Dy
committee of the surviving pas
sengers of the Titanic was given tc
the press upon the arrival of the
Carpathia at this port.
I'VE the undersigned surviving pas
sengers Of the steamship Titanic, in
order to forestall any sensational OF
exaggerated statements, deem it out
duty to give to the press a statement
of the facts of the accident which
have come to our knowledge and
which we believe to be true
Sunday, April IA, about 11:4O p.
M, on a cold starlight night in a
smooth sea and with no moon, the
ship struck an iceberg viii had
been reported to the bridge by the
lookouts, but not early enough to
avoid a collision.
steps were taken at once to as
certai nthe damage to the ship and
to save the passengers and the boat
Orders were given to put on life
belts and the boats were lowered. The
ship sank about 2:20 a. m. Monday
The usual distress signals were sent
by wireless, and rockets were fired
at intervals from the ship.
Fortunately, a wireless message
was received by the Cunard steam
ship Carpathia about midnight, and
she arrived at the scene Of the dis
] aster about 4 a. m, Monday.
"The officers and crew Of the Car
pathia had been preparing ali night
for the rescue and comfort of the
survivors The last mentioneu<Were
received on board with the most
| touching care aand kindness.
Every attention was given to al
irrespective of the class of passen-
gers. The poor peasant woman from
the steerage received the same care
as did the ladies of the first cabin
The officers and crew gladly gave VI
their staterooms, clothing and com
forts for our benefit.
THE English board Of trade pas
senger's certificate on board the I'll
tanic allowed for a total Of approx
imately $500 persons to sail witt
the ship. The same certificate called
for life boat accommodation for ap
lproximateIy $50 in the following
boats:
Fourteen large life boats, TIVE
smaller boats, four collapsible boats
life preservers accessible, an appar
emily insufficient number for all OF
board"
The approximate number of pas
sengers carried at the time Of tn,
collision was:
First-class, $50.
SecOnd-class, 800.
Third-class, $50.
Total passenger list, 400.
Officers and crew, $40.
A total of 2,34O aboard the shil
at the time of the disaster.
OF the foregoing about the follow
ing were rescuesd by the Carpathia
First-class, 210
Second-class, 1875.
Third-class, 200.
officers, Al; seamen, go; stew
ards, 90; firemen H.
Total saved, 745.
About SO per cent were saved of tn
maximum carrying capacity of til
life boats carried by the Titanic.
Concluding the statement calls a
tention to the inadequacy of the lii
saving appliances on board moder
steamers, and the necessity fC
remedial steps. The English board I
trade allowed entirely too many Pc
l pie TO each boat TO permit them
be properly handled in case of an a
cident, the statement says.
The lack Of trained seamen
T man the life boats and not enoug
officers to carry out the emergent
i orders on the bridge. to supervi
n and control the life boats, and Il
# absence of searchlights, and 9th
faults were noted in the statemen
An international conference
recommend the enactment of ident
; cal laws providing for the safety
/ all at sea is urged. The Unit
e states Is asked TO take the initiati
II in the matter
m Associated Press.
Ie New York, |April 1s-How 4
White Star. per. Titanic the large