The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-19
Strains Of Nearer, My God, To
Thee" Mingled With
Shrieks of Dying
HUNDREDS DIED OWING
TO SCARCITY OF LIFEBOATS
Rules of Caution Disregarded So
Gigantic Liner Might Shat
ter Speed Record
DEATH TOLL PUT AT 1895.

DEATH TOLL PUT AT 1895.
NEW YORK, April 19.-Accord-
Ing to statement issued by
committee Of survivors there we're
2.Sio persons on board when the
Titanic struck the iceberg. The
Carpsthia saved 535 passengers
and 2t0 members Of the crew OF
the sunken steamship, making
the total number OF rescued 745.
There were $50 first-class pas
seneers on the Titanic, 800 sec
ond-class, $50 third-ciass and gao
members Of the officers and crew.
The total. number Of dead in
the disaster is estimated at 1885.
NEW YORK. April l9.-The noun
tain of ice that destroyed the Titanic
was almost the color Of the water. II
was nearly impossible to distinguish
IL at great distance and the big
liner was rushing through the water
at such a fearful rate OF speed that
when the lookout in the Crows nest
reported ice ahead there was not
time 10 transmit the reverse order TO
ne engine room before the crash
came
That the ordinary rules Of caution
while passing through the ice fields
were dsrecarded is known Where
the responsibility rested will be de-
termned by the congressional investi-
CATION here or the board Of trade in
Lpndon.7
But they cannot question Capt.
Smith. The veteran sear'an carried
to the bottom OF the ocean knowledge
ct the truth or falsity Of the ailega-
tion that mis- orders we're imperative
TO take the northerly route, the short
cut, and make a record for quick pas
cage with new steamer.
The captain was not standing watch
when the liner struck Chief Officer
Mrrdock was on the bridge and he i'm
nlediately pushed the electric button,
which automatically closed the doors.
As he did this Capt. Smith rushed to
The bridge and at once made tests of
the lighting apparatus and called for
a report from the engine room, while
siurdock was signalling full speed
astern.
But already there was drop by the
bow. And from the engine room
CAME the report that the vessel was
taking water forward. The shock had
neen felt everywhere, but there was
no alarm How could hitting some
ice hurt the biggest vessel afloat?'
Not a soul on the steamer had even
the faintest inkling OF the horrible
tragedy that had been set in motion.
Hut soon Capt. Smith noticed that the
big ship was dropping forward and
the indications were that the bulk
heads were giving way and the engine
rooms were being endangered
lsThen he gave the order to get the
boats ready and the passengers over
SIDE and at the same time sent word
TO the wireless operator. Jack Phillips
to send out the international call. the
Continel tai appeal for aid.
Get all persons on the boat decks
came the sharp order. and the army
Of stewards obeycd al once. Every
one was ordered TO assemble on deck
with their lifebelts on Many refused
They could not realize that there was
danger But the presence OF the crew
ut collision stations and the uncoiling
of life-boat ropes soon indicated TO
everyone that business was meant
Then came the sharp command
Women and children first" and there
were revolvers in the officers hands.
showing the orders were to be ELI
forced. Z No distinction was made be-
tween the women lof the steerage and
the women OF the first cabin. AT first
they refused 10 enter the boats. The
women felt that they were safer on
the liner than In the lifeboats and the
crew did not stand on ceremony, bu.
promptly picked them up bodily an1
threw them into the boats.
Steeraee passengers, men, made
rush for the boats, Murdoek's pistol
was out. II spoke twice. Two men
CONTINUED on Page Fourteen.'