The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-04-27

dened hearts OF the many who had
been bereaved
SO cleanly were the police arrange
ments at the pier carried out that
there was no surging OF crowds, no
bustling and batting of the Titanic's
survivors.
The pier was crowded with repre-
sentatives of relief organizations with
ambulances. surgeons from the hos
pitfalls, with sisters OF charity, nurses,
doctors-all those who could be OF
help in alleyiating distress or suffer
ing.
Presently the Cunarder was laid
alongside and the gangplanks lowered,
and then there came In an incessant
streams the hundreds who had come
alive from the most awful disaster in
marine history.
Tell Tale Of Horror.
From a score of passengers came
the story of their awful experience.
The great liner was plunHing
through a comparatively placid sea on
the surface OF which there was much
mushy ice and here and there a num-
Der of comparatively harmless looking
foes. The night was clear and stars
visible. Chief Officer Murdoch was In
charge of the bridge
The first intimation of the presence
of the iceberg that he received was
from the lookout in the crows nest
They were SO close upon the berg at
this moment that 1t was practically
impossible to avoid a collision with 1t.
The first officer did what other un-
startled and alert commanders would
have done under similar circum-
stances-that is, he made an effort by
going full speed ahead on his star
board propeller and reversing his
port propeller, simultaneously throw
ing his helm over. to make a rapid
turn and clear the berg.
Rips Bottom Open.
These maneuvers were not success
full. He succeeded In preventing his
bow from crashing into the ice cliff,
but nearly the entire length of the
great ship on the starboard side was
ripped
The speed of the Titanic, estimated
to be at least 81 knots, was so terrific
that the knifelike edge of the iceberg's
spur protruding under the sea cut
through her like a can opener.
The shock was almost imperceptible.
The first officer did not apparently
realize that the great ship had re-
ceired its death wound and none of
the passengers it is believed had the
slightest suspicion that anything more
than a usual minor accident had hap
pened. Hundreds who had gone to
their berths and were asleep were not
awakened by the vibration
Return to Card Game.
To Illustrate the placidity with
which practically all the men regard
ed the accident it is related that four
were IN the smoking room playing
bridge. calmly got up from the table.
and after walking on deck and looking
over the rail, returned TO their game.
One of them had left his cigar on the
card table. and while the three others
were gazing out on the sea he re-
marked that he couldn't afford to lose
his smoke, returned for his cigar, and
came out again.
Inc tOur remained only few
moments on deck. They resumed their
game under the impression that the
ship had stopped for reasons best
known to the commander and not in
volving any danger to her. The
tendency of the whole ships company
except the men in the engine depart
ment, who were made aware of the
danger by the inrushing water, was to
make light of it and in some instances
even TO ridicule the thought OF dan
ger to SO substantial fabric.
Slow to Realize Peril.
Within a few minutes stewards and
other mem bers OF the crew were sent
round to arouse the people Some ut
terly refused to get up. The stewards
mad almost to force the doors of the
staterooms to make the omnolent
appreciate their peril.
Mr.. and Mrs. Astor were in theft
room and saw the ice vision fash by.
They lad not appreciably felt the