The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-04-26
745- "OUT0F THE JAVSOFD DEATH: 745

80 W. -
One of them had left his cigar on tn
card table, and while the three other
we're gazing out on the sea he rt
marked that be couldn't afford to los
his smoke, returned for his cigar, an
came out again.
The four remained only a feV
moments on deck. They resumed thei
game under the impression that tn
ship had stopped for reasons bes
known to the commander and not in
VolTing any danger to her. TIT
tendency Of the whole ships compan!
except tia ! e In tho engine depart
ment, who were made aware OF INT
danger BY the lnrushing water, was Il
make light Of 1t and In some Instance
even 10 ridicule the thought OF dan
ger to so substantial a fabric.
Glow TO Realize Peril.
Withip a few minutes stewards ant
other members OF the crew were SEM
round to arouse the people, Some ut
tsrly refused TO get up. The stewards
had almost to force the doors OF tbs
staterooms to make the somnoleni
appreciate their peril.
Mr.. ard Mrs. Aston we're in theif
room and saw the ice vision fash by.
They rad not %appreciably felt the
gentle shock and supposed then moth.
Ing out OF the ordinary had happened,
They were both dressed and came on
deck le~'surely.
It was not until the ship began to
take a heavy list to starboard that q
tremor of fear pervaded it.
Launch Boats Safely.
The crew had been called to clear
away the lifeboats Of which there
wore 40, Of which four we're collaps-
ibIe. The boats that were lowered on
the port side OF the ship touched the
water without capsizing. Some OF the
others lowered TO starboard, including
one cCllapsible, were capslzed. All
hands on the collapsible boats that
practically went to pieces were res
cued by the other boats,
Sixteen boats in all got away safely.
It was even then the general impress
sion that the ship was all right and
there Is nO doubt that that was the be-
lief OF even some OF the officers.
At the lowering Of the boats the
officers experimenting it we're armed
with revolyers. but there was no ne.
for using them as there was
nothing in the nature Of a panic and
loj man made an effort to get into q
1oat while the ome and children
we're being put aboard,
AS the ship began to settle to
Itarboard, heeling at an angle of near
y As degrees. those who had believed
t was all right to stick by the ship
Iegan to have doubt and a few
Jumped into the sea. These were fol
owed Immediately by others and in
few minutes there were scores
winning around. Nearly all OF
hem wore life preseryers.
One man who had a Pomeranian
log leaped overheard with 1t and
.triking 4 piece of wreckage was bad
y stunned. He recovered after a few
minutes and swami toward one Of the
and was taken aboard. Most
If the men who were aboard the Car
barring the members OF the
rev who had manned the boats, had
Jumped into the sea as the Titanic
vas settling.
Ship Breaks In Two.
Under instructions from officers and
men In charge of lifeboats were row.
d a considerable distance from the
hip herself in order to get away from
he possible suction that would follow
he laundering, The marvellous thing
bout the disappearance was so lit
lie suction as to be hardly appreciable
rom the point where the boats we're
There was ample time to launch all
oats before the Titanic went down, as
was two hours and twenty minutes
float.
So confident were all hands that she
ad not sustained a mortal wound that
was not until 1915 a. m, or 35 min.
ties after the berg was encountered,
hat the boats were lowered. Hun.
OF the crew and a large ma
'rity of the officers, including Capt.
NTH, stuck to the Dhip to the last.
1t vas evident after there were sew.
explosions, which doubtless were
40 boilers blowing up. that she had
ut a few minutes more Of life.
The ship broke In half amidship and
lnost simultaneously the after half
nd the forward half sank, the for.
ard half vanishing bow first and the
half stern flrst.
John Jacob Aston stood on deck and
ought off mar after man until his
life was in a lifeboat. Then he re.
iained on the deck to the last.
Many Of the survivors assert posi-.
Yely that not a woman was to be
on any Of the decks at the time
lie officers of the Titanic gave the
ord for the men to enter the life.
1t is therefore believed many
: those who lost their lives must
ave been killed in their cabins. as the
.lrviyors also say that every one had
nple time to dress.