The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-20
THROUGH WITH THE SEA.
Steward Relates His Narrowing Ex-
periences Following the Wreck.

IL
New York April 2O.-The following
statement made today by Alfred Tes-
singer, a first class steward on the
Inflated Titanic, tells graphically o.
scenes and incidents hitherto unpub-
lished:
Tessinger was one of the survivors
who chung to a life raft. For 81 years
the LapIand with scores of other mem
bers of the crew and it will be his
last trip on the ocean.
L joined the Titanic a fortnight be-
fore she left Queenstown said Tes-
singer. Il was detailed to c. deck and
when we started on this trip over ]
had charge of state rooms occupied by
some of the most noted people or
board. These included Mr.. and Mrs
Isador Stratus, Benjamin Guggenheim,
Howard B. Case, H. F. Julian, DR.
Emil Tausaig, Mrs. Tausaig and Miss
Ruth Tausaig, their daughter. I car
never forget the horror of last Sun
day night These people-and hundreds
of others-an sitting helpless on the
giant vessel. Few of them were saved
tool
Il must say right here that it was
no fault of the vessel that brought
about her destruction. She was superb
in every detail. But no vessel coulC
stand the grinding of the ice on her
bottom and with the ripping of the
plates enormous holes were made and
the thrush Of water was too great tc
check. More lifeboats would have
saved rs all
THE run to Cherbourg and thence
toward the banks was pleasant. The
sea was calm. If any icebergs were
near 1 heard nothing Of it. No bull
letins regarding them were posted on
the board.
Sunday afternoon at o'clock it be-
came much colder. At z o'clock din
ner was served and I notified my people.
1 remember distinctly notifying Mr.
Guggenheim. He speaks German and
we had conversed together. He told
me he had been to Paris and that this
ship, the Titanic. was the best he had
ever sailed in.
Until $3.50 p. m I was busy fixing
the rooms when at this hour one of
the passengers requested me to go to
the croQuet court with a pair of shoes.
''I did this and then went to the
working passage where the stewards
quarters are
rAt 1870 I was summoned to No
IS, in which there was a Mr.. Gee, an
Englishman en- route to Mexico. He
requested me to go to the working
passage and have some f1remen who
had just been relieved cease thei1
racket. I did as requested and report
ed to Mr.. Gee. I was talking with
George Brewster, anotherd steward at
1852. AS we were talking suddenly
there came a noise, as is made by
rowboat running over a gravel beach
There wasa slight shock through the
entire ship but absolutely no severe
Jolt that would have caused us worry
I was suddenly aware that the engines
had stopped and then Brewster said
What do you think that lisp
81 looked out into the passageway.
A fireman was running past, carrying
bag of clothing on his shoulders. AS
he rushed by he shouted, There is
water forward
Then someone shouted, All water
tight doors Shut
ct ran to my section and as I passed
e deck, where the mailing section is,
1 saw water pouring into room filed
with mailbags. The steward. Mr.. Dott,
was standing by the companionway
and shouted: All stewards call your
81 rushed to the first stateroom,
which was Mr.. Guggenheim s. 1
pounded on the door.
. What is the matter?' he called
Il said, The vessel is in danger. Get
up quickly
the mail ROOM
IT then awakened Mr.. and Mrs
Taussig in 81 and IS. You better
put on your life belt I called out, and
rush to the deck.
q. rs it as serious as all that?' said
at said. yes. hurry
II heard Mrs. Taussig begin to cry.
Don't cry. Mr.. Taussig urged her.
BE brave, all will surely be right
As I approached the stateroom of