The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-19

very afternoon, according to the rec
ord Of the photographic office, the IT,
tanic rclayed ashore a wireless warm
Ing from the steamer Amerika that an
unusual field Of pack ice and bergs
naenaced navigation on the hanks.
Confidence in Face -u1 Dea&h.
But It was q clear and sfarlit night,
- all the survivors described the
weather. and the great ship speed
GERS confident that even though the
iceberg should be seen. the vessel
could be controlled in ample time, and
the passengers rest in full confidence
that their temporary quarters in the
largest and most magnificent vessel
ever constructed were as safe as by
their own fresides. This confidence
was emphasized in the stories nearly
all the survivors that when the crash
came there was practically no excite
ment. Many who felt anxious enough
to go on deck to inquire what hap
pened were but little perturbed when
they learned that the ship had only
struck an iceberg" It appeared to
be glancing blow and at first there
was no indication Of a serious acct
dent.
A group Of men at cards in the
smoking room sent one Of their num-
Der to look out Of the window and
when he came back with the an
nouncement that the boat had grazed
an iceberg. the party went on with
the game but 1t was never finished.
Engine Stopped.
The stoppage Of the engine was no.
ticed more than the collision. the ef-
rect being as one survivor put 1t, like
stopping loug ticking clock
Captain Calm and Resolute,
Over-confident passengers were not
brought to the slightest realization
that collision might mean serious
danger until the call came through
the ship. "All passengers on deck with
Captain Smith: 1t is said. was not
on the bridge when the collision oc-
CURED but when hurriedly summoned
by the first officer. he took charge Of
what seemed a hopeless situation in
a manner the passengers praise as
calm. resolute and efficient to the last.
One Of the most stirring narratives
OF the action and description Of the
scenes that followed the collision was
told by James Bealey. a Cambridge
surviving second cabin passengers.
The steamer lay Just as II she was
awaiting an order to 90 on again
when some trtfling matter had been
adjusted" he said. But In a few
minutes we saw covers lifted from
boats and crews allotted them stand
ing by ready to lower them to the
Thilling Story.
Presently we heard an order, All
men stand back and all ladies retire
to the next deck bslow. the smoking
room deck or b deck'. The men stood
away ana remained in absolute silence
leaning against the end railing or
passing slowly up ana down. Boats
were swung out to the level Of 3
deck whore all ladies were collected,
The ladies got in quietly with the ex-
ceptton of some who refused to leave
their husbands. In some cases they
were torn from them and pushed into
"All this time there were no traces
Of any disorder; no panic or rush for
the boats and the scene was pitiable
with women sobbing hysterically.
Every one seemed to realize slowly
that the boat was in Imminent dam
ger. When 1t was realized that we
Ing but our life belt, to SUPPORT @ p' US
until we were picked up by q passing
steamer. Il was extraordinary how
calm everyone was ana how complete
was his self control.
one by one boats were filled with
women and children, lowered and
rowed away into the night. Presently
word went around that men were to
be put into boats on the starboard
side. was on the port side and
most OF the men walked across the
deck to see II this was 20. Presently
heard a call. ANY more iadies1'
Looking over the side Of the shin
| saw boat No. 10 swinging level With
B deck half full Of ladies'. I saw no
more come and ono Of the crew said:
You'd better Jump I dropped
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