Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-05-02

dened hearts of the many who had
been bereaved.
So clearly were the police arrange
ments at the pier carried out that
there was no surging of crowds, no
busting 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 alternating 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 plunging
through 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 it was practically
impossible to avoid a collision with it,
The first officer did what other I'M
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 q 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 cid not apparently
realize that the great ship had re-
/ &c "a
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 Gard 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.
The four 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
yolying 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 tc
make light Of it and il some instances
even to ridicule the thought Of dan
ger to so substantial a fabric.
Slow to Realize Peril.
Within a few minutes stewards and
| other members Of the crew were SEN
round to arouse the people. Some ut
terly refused to get up. The stewards
had almost 10 force the doors Of the
staterooms to make the somnolent
| appreciate their peril.
Mr.. and Mrs. AstoT we're in theil
room and saw the ice vision fash by
They had not appreciabIy felt tht
chair, said: Hurry, for Gods sake
and set me something to eat; In
Z I1-r~ po-1 - oOe~- 81