Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-25
COL. ARCHIBALD Oracle.

COL. ARCHIBALD Oracle.
| From photoEraph taken for The
| Star today. Col. Oracle IL wearing the
clothing which he had on when rescued
from the sea.
That the lights of steamer, appar-
emily only a few miles distant from the
sinking Titanic, were plainly visible from
the liners decks, was the statement made
today by Col. Archibald Oracle, at his
home, 1927 10th street northwest. to a
Star reporter. Col Oracle arrived from
New York late last night, and his state
ment is the first he has made to any one
In Washington.
Col. Oracle. relating his experiences in
the wreck OF the Titanic. is pos tive in his
declaration that the lights he saw were
those Of another steamer. and says that
the suggestions that have been made to
the effect that the lights were merely the
reflection on the ice Of the Titanic's lights
are absurd, for the reason that the reced-
ing ghts were almost dead ahead, while
the only ice near the titanic at the time
these lights were seen was astern.
Col. Oracle declares that he called the
attention of Col. John Jacob Aston and
others to the lights, and says he had his
steward pack his bags, expecting that
the Titanic's passengers would be trans
ferred to the vessel which was appar-
emily so close at hand.
The ship evidently bearing lights. how
ever, he says, passed on without even
pausing to learn the reason for the rock
cts sent up from the Titanic. and when
the liner sank the other steamer had
vanished from sight.
Praises Second officer.
st want to say that too much praise
cannot be given to Second Officer Ligh-
toller," said Mr.. Oracle. During all the
time from the striking of the Titanic on
the iceberg until we reached port on the
Carpathia he showed himself to be an
able officer. thorough seaman, knowing
how to maintain order and discipline un-
der any circumstances, and as brave and
thoushtful a man as l have ever seen.
L;ghtoller is man in all the word inn
plies.
IAN the tales of heroism on board that
doomed steamer will never be told /
| have heard no mention made of James
Chnch Smith Of Smithyille, L. l., who was
| one OF the heroes of the disaster. He
| was g member of the Union Club, and
friend and companion Of mine. and when
the women and children were being plas ed
IN the ufeboats, he was there. helping
with the work, as calmly as II ne were
safe ashore.
Collect Ice Souvenirs,
II have heard it said that the ice
which sent the Titanic to the bottom
was q submerged berg. This. I believe,
is not true l did not see the berg. but
others who did told me it lowered at
least fifty feet above the decks OF the
| Titanic. know that ice from the berg
| fell on the forward deck Of the steamer
| In great chunks, because l saw many OF
those pieces. Passengers carried them
| into the saloon and about the deck, ex-
hibiting them and saying they were TAX
ing the pieces home for souvenirs Lit
/ tie they knew that within less than two
hours they would be buried beneath the
ocean"
Col. Oracle arrived In Washington last
night from New York. being accompa-
da S ter. Miss Edith Oracle, While evil
IDENTIFY still somewhat unnerved by his
horrible experience. Col. Oracle seems
to have suffered little physically. he
has been summoned to appear before the
senate investigating committee. though
the date Of his appearance has not yet
been fixed.
Mrs. silvey Also Here.
Mrs. william Beard silvey Of Duluth,
Mimi, one OF the Titanic's survivors. ar
rived in Washington last night and il
with her mother-in-iaw. Mrs. William B.
Silvey, ST.. at the Wilmington apartments
Her husl and was one OF those lost In
tho sinking Of the Titanic.
Mrs. Silvey, jr., Ia much unneryed by
her experience and the shoe and sorrow
| OF her husbands death. In addition, she
tanned while entering the lifeboat. She
will remain with her husbands mother
for short time before proceeding to her
home in Duluth.
Mrs. Frederick Robinson Of FAN Hin.