The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-04-22
TWO SURVIVORS
OF TITANIC IN
BENNINGTON
Mrs. Elizabeth MeIlinger and
Daughter, Helene, Are in Town
NERVE SHOCKING EXPERIENCE
First Boat In Which They Attempted
to Leave Stricken Steamer Filled
With Water

James C. Colgate, Mrs. Charles G.
Jones, widow of the Colgate estate
superintendent, who lost his life in
the Titanic disaster. Allen Page, OF
New York, son of former employ
er of Mr.. Jones, and Mrs. Elizabeth
Mellinger and her daughter, Helene,
of England, who were travelling by
the Titanic to Bennington, arrived
here Saturday evening from New
York. Mr.. Page, Mrs. Jones, Mrs.
Mellinger and her daughter are now
at the superintendent house.
Mrs. Jones is carrying herself I'M
der the shock of her sudden bereave-
ment much better than could be ex-
pected under the circumstances, but
her friends realize that the strain is
severe and are anxious lest she ex-
perience a nervous breakdown.
Mrs. Mellinger, who is between As
and so years of age, had an unusually
trying experience. She was scantily
clothed when she was placed In one
of the lifeboats and she has only par
TALLY recovered from the hours of
exposure on the open sea waiting for
the arrival of the Carpathia. She is
yet in a highly-nervous condition, and
after her arrival here was close to
collapse.
Mrs. Mellinger did not see Mr..
Jones after the accident. She was a
second cabin passenger. On the Sun
day afternoon preceding the coils
ion, the superintendent accompanied
Mrs. Mellinger and her daughter in
tour of the ship and when they sep
arated, the parting was final.
Mrs. Mellinger, who is still In a
sem-hysterical condition, has talked
freely of her experiences since she
arrived in Bennington. Many of the
incidents of that terrible night are I'M
doubtedly distorted in her recollec-
ton, but her story is one more ad-
dition to the indictment of incompet.
ence and irresponsibility on the part
Of the White Star company.
She says that there were but few
regulation life boats on the ship, but
that there were a number OF the col
lapsible trait in different places about
the steamer There was an utter alb
sence Of discipline on the part of the
crew in manning the boats. In the
boat in which she and her daughter
left the ship there were but two men
an American and a Chinaman. The
latter saved his life through q trick
When the boat was taking In the
women and children he appeared a,
the rail with a bundle which he car
ried tenderly in his arms and he KEPT
repeating over and over Save Nell
can Baby, Save Mclean Baby" He
was allowed to enter the boat where
he concealed himself under one o.
the seats. Later II was found thai
, the bundle which he prtended was {
} child, consisted of his own clothing
The first boat in which Mrs. ant
Miss Mellinger started to leave tn,
side of the steamer began to I'LL will
water because the plugs had not beer
/ properly inserted In the holes In tn,
bottom and they were taken out, we
to the knees and transferred to an
other boat.
Mrs. Melllnger gives the credit TO
( the saving OF both their lives to IN,
daughter. IL years OF age. TIL
. mother was hurried from her berth
!. clad only in nightgown and stock
ings, but the young girl was more nc
> tive in her movements and was no
! only clothed but she carried wit
her a wrap and small handbag 4
which were some personal belongings
: Miss Melllnger, who apparently r,
= tanned her presence OF mind to n RI
markable degree led her mothe
about the shin by the hand until
way was made for them TO the RAJ
aud they were finally placed in tn
d life boat.
n After the boat had pushed ava
& from the side OF the stricken steam
r. er, a man who had jumped overboar
10 was pulled into the boat. He wa
4. suffering severely from his immersio
IT in the almost Icy water, and Miss Me
II linger gave him her wrap for prote,
s. ton from the cold night air
.e Miss Mellinger, telling the story {
Ie her experience. says that she wa
W positive that she saw one boatloa
m OF people sink beneath the water a
r. ter II had left the side OF the steam
or. Her mother. she says. was Loo
ID ing In the opposite direction at n
,5 time and the sight was so shockln
m that she did not call the older wor
3. ans attention to the acclden
Re Whether the boat collapsed or mn,
ie through the unplugged holes in q
X. bottom, she did not know. IL W,
BY reported after the passengers hs
x. been taken aboard the Carpathla. IN
some OF the boats we're lost for Il
Is. reason that the holes in the botto
al. made for the purpose Of letting o
to rain water which would collect viii
to the steamer was at sea, we're not pr
a. | nnrt.s ..t......a