Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-19
DETAILS OF THE WRECK.

Bottom Of Floating Palace Ripped Open
Passengers Jump Into Sea.
New York, April 19.-The great liner
was plunging thru comparatively
placid sea on the surface Of whlch
there was much mushy ice and here
and there a number Of comparatively
harmless looking foes. The night was
clear and stars visible. Chief Onicer
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 it was practically
impossible to avoid a collision with 1t.
The first officer did what other un-
startled and alert commanders would
have done under sumil9r circumstances
that is, he made an effort by going
full speed ahead on his starboard pros
peller and reversing his port propeller.
simultaneously throwing his helm
over to make. rapid turn and clear
the berg.
Rips Bottom Open.
These maneuyers were not successful.
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 twenty-on knots, was so
terrific that the knifelike edge OF the
iceberg's spur protruding under the sea
cut thru her like can opener.
The shock was almost impercept1ble.
The first officer did not apparently
realize that the great ship had received
it's death wound and none OF the pas
sengers 1t is believed had the slightest
suspicion that anything more than
usual minor accident had happened.
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 regarded 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 remarked that
he couldn't afford to lose his smoke
returned for his cigar. and came out
again.
The three, remained only for a 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
yolving any danger to her. The ten
dency of the whole ships company ex-
cept the men in the engine department.
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 danger to so
substantial a fabric.
Slow to Rsaiixe Peril.
Within few minutes stewards and
other members Of the crew were sent
round to arouse the people. Some ut
terly refused to get up The stewards
had almost to force the doors Of the
staterooms to make the somnolent ap-
preciate their peril.
Mr.. and Mrs. Astor were in their
room and saw the Ice vision flash by.
They had not appreciably felt the gen.
tie shock and supposed then nothing
out of the ordinary had happened. They
were both dressed and came on deck
leisurely
1t was not, until the ship began to
take a heavy list to starboard that a
tremor Of fear pervaded It.
Launch eoats Safsly.
The crew had been called to clear
away the lifeboats OF which there were
twenty, four OF which were collapsible.
The boats that were lowered on the
portside OF the ship touched the water
without capsising. Some OF the others.
collapsible. ..were capsized. All hands
on the collapsible boats that practically
went to: pieces were rescued by the
other boats. ss
Sixteen beats in all got away safely.
It was even then the general impress
sion taat tti,s snip, ~ right I'd
there Is no doubt thai that; was the be-
lief Of even some ~ the officers.