The new era., 1912-04-25

dened hearts Of the many who had
been bereaved.
So cleanly were the police arrange
| ments at the pier carried out thai
there was no surging Of crowds. no
| bustling and batting OF the Titanic's
| survivors
The pier was crowded with repre-
sentatIves of relief organizations with
ambulances. surgeons from the hos
| pitfalls. with sisters OF charity. nurses.
doctors-all those who could be of
help In alleviating distress or suffer.
ing.
Presently the Cunarder was laid
| alongside and the gangplanks lowered.
| and then there came In an incessan,
streams the hundreds who had come
alive from the most awful disaster In
marine history.
Tell Tale Of Horror.
From a score OF passengers came
the story OF their awful experience.
The great liner was plunging
through a comparatively placid sea on
the surface OF which there was much
her OF comparatively harmless looking
foes. The nigh, was clear and stars
visible. Chief of.icer MURDOCH wes rr
+ charge OF the bridge
The first intimation OF the presence
Of the Iceberg that he received was
| from the lookout In the crows nest
They were SO close upon the berg at
this moment that 1t was practically
| impossible to avoid n collision with 1t.
The first officer did what other IN.
startled and alert commanders would
have done under similar circum.
| stances--ihat Is. he made an effort by
| going full speed ahead on his star
board propeller and reversing his
port propeller. simultaneously throw
ing his helm over. to make a rapid
turn and clear the berg.
Rips Bottom Open.
These mnneuvcrs were not success.
ful. He succeeded In preventing his
bow from crashing into the Ice Cliff.
but nearly the entire length OF the
great ship on the starboard side was
ripped.
The speed OF the Titanic. estimated
to be at least 81 knots. was SO terrific
that the knifelike edge OF the icebergs
spur protruding under the sea cnt
through her like can opener.
The shock was almost imperceptible.
The first officer did not apparently
realize that the srea; ship had re-
ceived Its death wound and none Of
the passengers 1t Is believed had the
| slightest suspicion that anything more
than usual minor accident had hap
pened. Hundreds who had gone to
their berths and were asleep were not
awakened by the vibration.
Return to Card Game.
To Illustrate the placidity with
which practically all the men regard
| ed the accident II is related that four
were in the smoking room playing
bridge. calmly got up from the table.
and after walking on deck and looking
over the rail, returned TO their game.
One OF them had left his cigar on the
card table. and while the three others
we're gazing out on the sea he re.
marked that he couldn't afford to lose
his smoke. returned for his cigar. and
| came out again.
The four remained only few
|
game under the impression that the
ship had stopped Tor reasons best
known to the commander and not in.
yolving any danger to her. The
cndency of the whole ships company
except the men in the engine dcrart.
ment. who were made aware OF the
danger by the iurushing water. was TO
make light OF II and in some instances
even 10 rdicule the thought OF dan.
ger 10 so substantial a fabric.
Slow to Realize Peril.
Within "A lew minutes stewards and
other members cS the crew were sent
round to arouse the people. Some ut
Ierly refused to get up The stewards
mad almost to force the doors OF the
staterooms to make the somnolent
appreciate their peril.
MIR. and Mrs. Asior were in theii
room and saw the ice vision fash by.
They lad not appreCiably felt the