Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-04-19
THE SIMPLE
STORY OF
THE WRECK
COMMITTEE OF SURVIVORS MAKE
STATEMENT FOR ALL-SUPPLY
OF LIFEBOATS UTTERLY mad
EQUATE-NOT HALF WHAT LAW
REQUIRES.

|
pathia:
eve, the undersigned surviving pas
sengers on the Titanic, in order to
forestall any sensational or exagger-
ated statements, deem it our duty to
give the press a statement of facts
which have come to our knowledge,
and which we believe to be true:
ION Sunday, April IA, 1911, at about
11:4O p. M, on cod starlight night,
in a smooth sea, and with no moon,
the ship struck an iceberg, which had
been reported to the bridge by look
outs, but not early enough to avoid
collision.
Rockets Are Sent Up.
"Steps were taken to ascertain the
damage and save passengers and ship.
Orders were given to put on lifebelts
and the boats were lowered. The ship
sank at 2;20 a. M, Monday, and the
usual distress signals were sent out
by wireless and rockets at intervals
from the ship. Fortunately the wire
less message was received by the
Cunard's Carpathia at about midnight
and she arrived on the scene of the
disaster at about a. m. Monday.
"The officers and crew Of the steam
ship Carpathia had been preparing
all night for the rescue and comfort
Of the survivors, and the last men
toned were received on board with
the most touching care and kindness,
every care being given, irrespective of
class. The passengers, officers and
crew gave up their staterooms, cloth
ing and comforts for our benefit. All
honor to them
Sixteen Boats Carried.
"The English Board of Trade pas
sengers' certificate on board the III
tanic showed approximately $500.
The same certificate called for life
boat accommodations for approx
mately $50 in the following boats
Fourteen large lifeboats, two small
er boats and four collapsible boats.
"Life preservers were accessible,
and apparently in sufficient number
for all on board.
"The approximate number of pas
sengers carried at the time of the col
lision was as follows:
"First-class, $50; second-class, 800
third-class, 75O; total, 1900 Officers
and crew, 94O total 234O. OF the
foregoing the following were rescued
by steamship Carpathia First-class
210; second-class, 1876; third-class
200; officers A seamen, 80; stewards
SO; firemen, II,
Total Saved, 745.
"The total of 745 saved was about
so per cent of the maximum capacity
of the lifeboats.
1--WE thought it our duty to call the
attention Of the public to what we
consider the inadequate supply of life
saving appliances provided for on
modern passenger steamships and rec
ommend that immediate steps be talk
en- to compel passenger steamers Ia
carry sufficient boats to accommodate
the maximum number of people car
ried on board. The following facts
were observed and should be consid
cred in this connection:
"The insuffciency of lifeboats
RATS, etc, lack Of trained seamen ia
man same (stokers, stewards, etc, are
not efficient boat handlersJ: not
enough officers to carry out emergen-
cy orders on the bridge to superlntend
the launching and control of life.
, boats; absence Of searchlights.
Too Many In Each Boat.
"The Board of Trade rules allow
for entirely too many people in each
boat to permit the same to be prop.
erly handled. On the Titanic the
boat deck was tbout rs feet above the
water, and consequently the passeng
ers were required to embark before
lowering the boats thus endangerinl
the operation and preventing the TAX
ing on of the maximum number tn,
boats would hold.
Boats at all times TO be properly
equipped with provisions, water
lamps, compasses, lights. etc. Life
, saving boat drills should be more fire
quent and thoroughly carried out ant
= officers should be armed at boat drllli
Great reduction In speed in fog ant
ice, as damage II collision actual!
occurs is liable to be less.
"In conclusion we suggest that al
: international conference be called Il
D recommend the passage Of identica
} laws providing for the safety Of all a
: sea, and we urge the United State
: government to take the initiative a
soon as possible"
The statement was signed by Sam
uel Goldenberg, chairman and a com
mittee Of some 25 passengers.
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