davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

of these fotillas of majestic but ter
ror-inspiring formations, many of
which reach the Grand Banks the fol-
lowing spring. In size these bergs
vary, but one that is from 60 to 100
feet to the top of it's walls, with
spires or pinnacles from 200 or 275
feet high, and a length of 1000 to
1900 feet is considered to be an Or
binary Arctic berg. These measure
ments. however, apply only to the
part that may be seen, which is gem
orally conceded to be but about one
ninth of the size, eight-ninths being
under the water.
When a berg, such described,
breaks adrift from the ice pack it
starts on its southwark journey via
the Labrador current. Its drift is not
an easy one, however, for the whole
coast of Labrador is cut up by nu-
merous islands, headlands and bays
that form serious, and, perhaps, for
tunate distractions for the bergs.
Some of them ground in the Arctic
basin and are ground to small pieces;
others reach the shores of Labrador,
where they continually ground and
float, each time reducing their bulk.
Many of them disappear entirely
through the steady grinding.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

Shipmasters, in making experiments
along this line, have found that at the
point where the waters of the Labra-
dor current and the Gulf Stream
commingle there is frequently a diff
ference of 20 degrees in the tempera-
ture of the surface sea water within
a distance of a few hundred yards,
and not piece of ice within 20 miles.
On the other hand, in clear weather,
these same shipmasters have passed
close to huge bergs and noted no
difference in the temperature of the
water they have drawn to test.
Not in many years have there been
so many bergs reported as during
the past few weeks. Not only have
the floating fields been larger in ex-
tent but they have been reported
many miles to the south of where
they have been reported in the past.
From Western Greenland, where the
bergs originate, come reports of re-
markable freedom of ice, indicating
that the entire formation has worked
it's way into the Atlantic to become
a menace to shipping.
In Western Greenland the bergS are
in formation all of the year, but in
the middle of summer the ice begins
to break up, setting adrift thousands
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

render the boat leaky.
Although there has been criticism
of late regarding some of the life
boats to be found on passenger carry
ing steamers it would be a great mis-
take for any reader to get the i'm
preston that vessel owners have been
allowed to provide these boats in ac-
cordance with any hit and miss policy
or in conformity with their own in
diVidual ideas. In the United States
all lifeboats must be built and in
stalled in accordance with rules and
regulations laid down by the Steam
boat-Inspection Service, a very i'm
portant branch of our national gov
eminent. All builders of lifeboats
are obliged to furnish the Supervising
Inspector General with drawings and
specifications showing and explaining
the construction of the craft they
are turning out and the characters
tics of the material used. In addi-
ton to the general requirement that
all lifeboats shall be substantially
built Uncle Sam goes so far as to
prescribe the kind of material that
may be used. For example, one thick
ness of metal is prescribed for metal
iifeboats less than 20 feet in length;
another weight is demanded for boats
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15
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20 to "a feet in length; and a third
and yet heavier grade is exacted in
the case of boats longer than "a feet.
There is a hard and fast rule that
every lifeboat shall be theoretically
unsinkable,-if we may use that word
after the Titanic disaster. To this
end it is required that all nfeboats
shall have air-tight tanks of sufficient
capacity to float the boats when they
are full of water and when loaded
to the limit of their capacity. The
government officials are required to
test these tanks when the boat is in
stalled and at least once a year after
ward. The government formula also
stipulates that each lifeboat must
carry at least two life preservers, a
full complement of oars, two spare
oars, a steering oar. a boathook, an
ak and a bucket. In the case of the
lifeboats provided for use on the
larger ocean-going vessels the equip
ment must also include a mast and
sail with necessary rigging, a boat
compass. a lantern and illuminating
oil, etc.
Very important from the standpoint
of the shipwrecked passengers in a
life boat,-and yet seldom thought of
in advance by the layman-is the
forethought prescribes shall be car
ried on every lifeboat. OF course.
this supply must be kept in storage in
the boat itself, for in most instances
there would be neither time nor OPP
portunity to procure food supplies
when imperiled mariners take refuge
in one of these small craft. The
standard food supply exacted con-
sists of a breaker of fresh water of at
least fifteen gallons capacity and one
sealed tin containing % pounds of
hard bread, but if a ship captain pre-
fers he may stock each of his life
boats with thirty rations or fifteen
pounds of the U. S. Army Emergency
Ration, the best form of concen-
trated food, as a substitute for the
twenty-five pounds of hard bread
above menti ned.
One of the great problems in con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

Me 81 81 Cac09LhL3

supplies. In this case. however, help
was quick, for they were rescued by a
sealer; and just in time, for there
sprang up a blizzard that broke up
the berg.
The most unusual experience that
ever ship had was when the skip
per of the Portia, in 1895, was per-
suaded to approach close to a berg
so that some of the passengers might
take pictures of it. The genial skip
per accommodated them and steamed
close in. The steamer ran over a
portion of the berg that was under
the water. The movement of the
steamer disturbed the equilibrium of
the berg and it turned over. The Por-
tia was lifted clear of the water as
the sheet of ice under her arose, and
what might have happened is a mat
ter of conjecture, but the ice broke
and the ship once more settled into
her native element. 1t is safe to
say that no more passengers with
cameras will be accommodated by
that particular shipmaster, who az
forwards declared that it was the
narrowest escape from disaster that
any man could have.
There is not a year but what FISH
ing and sealing craft hailing out of
st. Johns and other far north ports
disappear, victims of what no one
knows, but it is generally conceded
that icebergs play a principal part in
the tragedies that are never told.
From April to October the Grand
Banks off Newfoundland are yelled
by heavy fogs through which the
giant, pallid glaciers drift in silence.
bourne by the currents and wind in
general southerly direction, some
times fast, sometimes slow, and not
until they strike the warmer water
that flows in the Gulf Stream do they
begin to melt.
OF the ships that have collided with
these floating islands and not reached
port to tell there are many: indeed
1t is a question what does happen
TO the ship that is posted as miss
ing" month after month, until the
years elapse and all hope is ADAM
doned.
1t is no wonder that the sinking of
the Titanic has caused every ship
master running a transatlantic route
to be apprehensi- lest like fate be-
fall him,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

nection with the use of lifeboats on
big passenger steamers.-and nat
urally the problem has become more
complicated as the ocean liners have
grown in size and in heights found
in the necessity that passengers get
into the lifeboats on the deck level,
distance, in the case of the Titanic
of say fifty or sixty feet above the
water. Naturally many of the more
timid passengers are nervous over
such a condition particularly because
in days gone by there have been hor-
rible plumbers and whole boatloads
of people have been preoipitated into
the sea through carelessness in low
ering the boats or mistakes that
caused one end only of boat to be
lowered with the result that all her
passengers were tossed into the water.
Modern mechanical devices that make
the launching motion more automatic
have tended to lessen such dangers
but there remains to be solved the
problem of embarking passengers at
a lower level.
Another revolutionary development
in the lifeboat field was in contempla-
ton even before the Titanic tragedy
spurred the officials to study of the
whole broad subject. This is the
proposal which has been up for some
time past to authorize the use of mo-
tor-driven lifeboats on ocean steam
ers. The Life Saving Service has for
some time past been using lifeboats
and surfboats equipped with gasoline
engines and has upward of $50 of
these power boats that a-c giving
splendid satisfaction. but the govern
ment has hesitated to allow the use of
such boats on big ships,-partialIy
because of some fear on the part OF
the public regarding possible danger
from the gasoline. Now, however, IL
is proposed to sanction the motor
driven lifeboats and in the case of a
disaster in mid-ocean, the power pro-
vided would enable the shipwrecked
party to set out for shore or for a part
of the ocean lanes where there would
be a sure chance of encounterinF
passing vessels.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

80 HE sinking of the giant White
Star liner Titanic, after having
collided with an iceberg, go
~ ing down with more than 1900
souls, has quickened the pulse of
every master of the great steamships
that ply the Northern route between
this country and Europe. And well
1t may, for all perils of the deep
are as nought compared with the
awfu1ness of striking one of those
huge pieces Of floating ice.
That it was a submerged shelf of
ice that dealt the death blow to the
strange that there should be on rec
ord an instance of another vessel
being similarly injured, although not
SO seriously, for she managed to
make port. This vessel was the Brit
ish steamer Nessmore which made
Halifax few years ago with her
bows stove in. When she was locked
for repairs it was found that there
was a deep score extending two
thirds the length of the hull. Four
frames were broken and many of the
plates were almost cut through, show
ing that had the impact been greater
the plates would have been cut
through and the vessel must have
water which no pumps could have
checked.
At the inquiry that followed the
skipper of the Nessmore testified that
after striking the berg he backed
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15
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EacZLLSz RnHau0ZLiZS ZHem

80 HE hardest lessons are those
AZ learned from bitter experience
"a but it is just such experience
- that has been responsible for
almost every notable development in
human progress. The recent appalling
disaster to the Inflated steamer I'll
tanic was a drama with manifold
morals but the one lesson which stood
out above all others was the need
for more lifeboats and for a force
of seamen trained in the launching
and navigation of such craft.
1t is pretty we'll assured that the
men and women who in future go
down to the sea in ships will at least
have all the protection that can be
offered by an adequate number of
boats and similar emergency craft. But
the problem of just what is the best
type of boat and to what extent our ex-
listing models may be improved is one
that for some time to come IL likely
to enlist the attention of not only
designers and inventors and manufac-
turers but the general public as well.
Already those government offices at
Washington which have Jurisdiction
in such matters are being flooded
with ideas and suggestions and draw
ings and specifications for first aid"
boats and RATS and the like.
This sudden turn of affairs that
has focused public attention and
American inventive genius upon
ships boats comes as a complete sur
prise in many quarters and nowhere
more SO than in practical shipping
circles. For a large share of the
shipping world had come to look
upon such boats as, If not obsolete, at
least commonplace or even superflu
Gus. OF course, all steamers have
carried a certain complement OF boats
and life rafts,-they had to accord
ing to governmental regulations
but with the disclosure of the mira
cles of wireless biography most mas
tiers and owners half believed that
the sea he'd been robbed of its last
terror while the general public was
still further lulled to a sense of Sc
curity by the consoling fiction of the
"unsinkable ship"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15
1RAoEoSraohed - az1ll
IRON The 81 81 CAT10aZhIa

off and changed his course and ex-
pressed the belief that it was possible
that the steamer had struck a pro-
jecting ledge deep under the water,
for there was clear water between
his ship and the berg up to the mo-
ment of striking.
Icebergs have always been a ter
ror to navigators since the sailing
of the first transatlantic vessel from
America for European ports. In the
beginning it was customary for
steamers sailing eastward to edge
along the coast until they made Cape
Race, on the lower extremity of New
foundland, their last 1andfall and,
sailing westward. to make this point
their first 1andfall. This course took
vessels fairly across the Grand Banks,
a region of As per cent. fog, and in
a few years the coast around Cape
Race became strewn with wrecks of
vessels that had lost their bearings
and had piled up on the rockbound
shore.
eraI big steamship companies made
an agreement to adopt a course
known as the Northern route for west
bound steamers and a Southern route
for eastbound steamers. The North
ern route for a westbOund steamer
took her from Queenstown in a
southwesterly direction to about AZ
degrees, North; At degrees West, at
which point the course was changed
almost to due West for New York.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15

HE hardest lessons are those /
\ learned from bitter experience
y but it is just such experience
SiIle for
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
HE SENT So AND TWO NAMES

Dear Sir: I received your card
some time ago stating that I was
subscriber to "Wasons Magazine"
and that indicated that I was inter-
sested in your work. 1 don't suppose
that there is any man who feels a
9greater interest in your work than
do, and | am willing to do anything
81 can to help the work along. I
ssometimes think that you are fifty
years ahead of the times, but your
work will live and do good after you
gand the principles for which you
stand will some time become the
flaws of these United States or this
SRepublic will be a failure
q The works of a good man live
Eafter him and after you are dead fifty
years, people will say that you were
Rthe greatest man that has lived since
u Jefferson. 1t is said "the spirit of
John Brown goes marching on" and
1T must be true and must have multi
piled itself ten thousand times from
the amount of meanness that has
gone on for the last fifty years. Yours
truly, WILLIAM THOMAS WATSON,
SIR.
Il Macon, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
GLAD TO SEND SUBS.

My Dear Mr.. Watson: Replying
to your card, (herewith enclosed) I
send you the subscription requested.
l am glad to do this. in part pay
ment for your kindness, in your per-
sonal sketch of me by J. D. Watson,
published in your Magazine I rea-
lie the trouble one meets in an
effort to publish Magazine in the
South. If, in the future, you need
to make another like call, I shall be
glad to respond. Sincerely, VIM. H.
MURRAY, Tishomingo, Okla.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
The CulretOn Nurseries.
AUSTELL. GEORGIA.

have a large stock of Apple, Pear,
Peach, Cherry, Plum, Ounce, Pecan,
English e Black Walnut, Chestnut,
Hicks Everbearing Mulberry, Grape
vines Shade and Ornamental Trees,
Plants & Shrubs that I don't care to
carry over another year and will make
a great reduction in prices in order to
sell this all out before spring is over.
Especially fine assortment of Apple
and Peach June Buds and Year old,
to offer to commercial planters.
The price of cotton is down but I am
willing to keep my tree prices in line
with the price of cotton.
I grow large quantities of Cabbage
Plants at $125 per thousand.
Strawberry Plants at $3.50 per 1000.
Potato slips, pepper, tomato plants
priced upon application Don't delay
but place your order at once while
stock is full.
JAMES CURETON. Proprietor,
"Dept. So"
AusteIl, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01

no paper published in America that
stands so persistantly for Equal
rights to all, and special privileges
to none as does The Jeffersonian.
Mr.. Watson is stronger with the
people than ever before. Thousands
and thousands who once misunder-
stood Mr.. Watson understand him
now, and are helping us make the
great fight for true Democracy 1t
will be an easy matter if all the
friends of reform will do their duty
to double the "Jeffs' :" subscription
in sixty days. Respectfully, J. J..
BROWN.
Bowman, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
WISHES HE COULD SEND ONE
HUNDRED NEW SyTRS.

Dear Sir: Your postcard received
asking me to send you one new sub
scriber. Wish I could send you 100,
but am not very well acquainted
with the people here. My business
is here, but NY home is in Atlanta.
I have been very much interested in
your articles on the Pope and his
Church. I sent you one new
subscriber in November, a Mr.. w. C.
Rouse, Fopchoppv. Fla, at the same
time I renewed nv subscription for
the watson Magazine.
Best wishes for your success,
yours very truly. T. D. SLOAN.
Tallahassee Fla.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
FROM A FRIEND OF TWENTY
YEARS STANDING

Dear Sir: In response to your
request, I'm sending you one new
subscriber to your Magazine. I have
been reader of your publications
for rs years and I must say I do
admire the fearless way in which
you proclaim the truth, regardless of
the consequences.
admire your bold attack on
catholicism and the present foreign
mission system. I have stood for
two hours at Washington and Elber
ton, Ca, and listened to you speak.
when your enemies were trying to
nave you howled down by drunken
mob.
l will go farther to hear you speak
now, than any man in the United
States. I bid you God speed in
exposing error, and standing for
truth and exact justice to every man.
I'm with you.
w. H. RHODES.
Timpson, Tex.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
WATSON'S DESERVES SUPPORT
OF ALL WHO LOVE
FREEDOM.

Gentlemen: In reply to Mr.. Wat
sons request, I am sending two sub
scribers for the Watson Magazine.
sincerely wish it was in the home
OF every American family. He GER
tainly deserves the support of all
who love America and her freedom.
Yours truly, ]. w. COACHMAN,
Asheville, n. c.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
THE JEFFERSONIAN

your literature, the result in the next
election would be astonishing.
was once like many others.
opposed to Tom Watson. but. nv
cnance, one of your Magazines fell
into my hands. That opened my
eyes, and from that day, I have been
Tor Tom Watson and his principles.
May you live long to fight for
equal rights to all, and special
1aVors to none" Please send the
Magazine and Jeffersonian, both to
Z. b. Dodds, Huntington, Tenn.
Yours truly, A M MINOR.
Crown Point, Fla.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
SENT SIX IN RESPONSE To
CARD

Dear Sir: You wrote me asking
Tor one new sub. I enclose list for
both Weekly and Magazine, with
post office money order.
My old friend w. S. Webb is send
ing in a new name as a subscriber.
ne asked me to say to you that he
reads everything he can get from
your pen; he is in full sympathy
with you. want to say, my dear
Brother, that I am in full sympathy
with you in your work from to e."
and may God bless you. Your friend
and brother, H. G. MULLEN, ITALIA
dega.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
FROM ONE OF THE ACTIVE
LOYAL JEFF MEN.

Dear Sir: Please find herewith
Enclosed list Of eight subscribers, and
check for $500 to cover same. It is
with great deal of pleasure that l
scan say, that the 81 effs" are more
popular today than ever before. All
Of our friends are delighted at the
statement from Mr.. Watson, in last
week JEFF as to the progress he is
making with THE Jefss." Now to
4ur many friends through the county,
Get me appeal TO each of you TO send
n one new subscriber next week.
Thousands of new subscribers are
being added to our list every week,
md every new subscriber means one
more soldier in the ranks Of the great
Progressive Democracy. to help fight
he battles Of the people.
h Nineteen and twelve will go down
n history as a decisive year either
or or against the people.
My friends what are we going to
10 about it; are We going to read
|ip on all great State and National
ssues and be prepared to cast our
ballot for the best interest Of our
lomes. loyedones and Southland;
|sr are we going to listen to the poll
lFician and Office seeker and vote
Indy. These are questions that
I've can not ovade. We must meet
Ehe great issues prepared or u0pre-
Jared. Let US be prepared with the
|Aighty weapon Of truth. There is
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
WAS PLEASED TO BE ONE OF
THE FIVE THOUSAND.

Dear Sir: am pleased to- think
I was one of the five thousand called
upon for SO small a favor. am
pleased with your writing-it is
simply great. I wish you success in
the future.
Please send Magazine to name
enclosed, for which I send money.
MRS. E. ABBOT, Chicago, Ill.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
"YOUR POSTAL CAME
THE SUB"
MOST LIBERAL RESPONSE.

My Dear Sir: In response to your
card OF December 22nd, | am enclos-
Ing you nine $4,000 dollars to apply
TO enclosed subs. Wishing you sue
cess and happy New Year, am very
truly your friend, L. L. WINTER.
Augusta, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
READY TO UFLP ANY TINE.

Dear Sir: Your card of Decem-
Der %, to hand in due time, and I
cheerfulIy respond. l am ready at
any time to help in the good work
that you are doing. If every voter
in the United States were to read
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01

We can figure very closely ON job
printing work. Send an order to
THE JEF'FERSONIAN PUBLISHING
CO., Thomson, Ga.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01
PAGE FOUR THE JEFF
A Few More Responses to
the Postcard Request

fTaTs HEN Mr.. Watson issued the
EAII post cards to five thousand
wv subscribers of "The jeff, he
did it as an experiment. The
responses have been so prompt and
friendly, there has been a closer per-
sonal touch between the readers of
"The Jeffs,' and the Editor, in conse-
Quence.
We give a few more of the letters
received:
YOUR POSTAL CAME, HERE'S
THE SUBJ"
Dear Watson: Your postal came
to hand asking for one new sub
scriber at $100. Here it is. Yours
respectfully, A. O. PITCHER.
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-02-01

Read the story Of the great battle
e Waterloo. Price 81. Cloth bound
AOlume. Sent you postpaid.