The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-04-25
HISTORICAL SCENES WHEN
FRIENDS MEET SURVIVORS
Men Fall to Kiss the kneee Of Wom-
en- Folk-Women Shrek and Rush
from Group to Group and Then
Collapse.

Slowly the Carpathia, ambulance
ship of the ocean, made her way up
the bay In the gloom of the evening,
through lanes of silent vessels, and
warped into her dock at Pier 81,
North River.
From her descended the saved of
the Titanic, all that remained of q.
1862 souls, a semi-hysterical band
numbering 745.
All the figures that had drlfted in
through the air were wrong, and
when the truth came it was merely to
increase the terrible roll to 1896.
The scenes that were enacted on
the Cunard Pier, and outside as the
survivors were being hurried away to
homes and hotels, Will live a lifetime
in the memory of those who wit
messed them.
Men in Mysteries, women fainting,
and children almost crushed in the
arms of those welcoming them, were
the rule, not the exception. Men fell
down to kiss the knees of their re,
turning womenfolk. Women shrek.
ed, wept, dashed in madness from one
group of friends to another, and final
ly collapsed in the arms of those who
had come to meet them.
The Scenes Repeated.
Outside, as they were led or carried
to waiting automobiles, the same
scenes were repeated. The sight OF
q street seemed to fill some of the re.
turned ones with awe, to others it was
cause for emotional joy that could
only find relief in extravagant ecstasy.
The precautions taken for the pro
lection of the survivors proved en-
tirely adequate, and, fortunately, all
the ambulances and relief corps that
had been gathered at the pier were
not necessary.
The number OF badly injured on
the Carpathia was not nearly as large
as had been imagined, and cases re.
quiring hospital relief were merciful-
ly few.
But the strain on those who landed,
strain that has existed now since
midnight last Sunday was plainly to
be seen In their faces, in their ac-
TONS In their attitudes and words.
Some could barely speak above
whisper. others could not keep from
shouting. Some could scarcely find
strength to walk down the gangplanks
Others rushed on 10 the pier as
though possessed of the energy OF
maniaes.
It was O joyous occasion for many
a terrible day for some. To the last
there had been hope in many breasts
that their loved ones would be
aboard-and at the last those hopes
were blasted with the icy breath OF
the news the living brought.
How the Titanic sank. what hap
pened when she sank. was told in as
many different ways as there were
people to tell IT, But they agreed on
one thing-that Capt. Smith and his
officers showed the greatest bravery
throughout the terrible ordeal, and
that except in isolated cases the men
aboard from the saloon to the steer
age. showed a heroism worthy of the
sea.
When the Ship Went Down.
Men were playing cards in the
smoking room when the great ship
struck the iceberg whose propinquity
was we'll known to all aboard. for a
bulletin of it had been posted in the
saloon, and when the ship went down,
most accounts agree. the band was
playing Nearer, My God. to Thee,
while the lfeboats were pulling away.
But 1t was difficult to get connect.
ed story from any survivor.
Mrs. John Jacob Aston. outwardly
none the worse for her awful expert
ence, was among the first to be whisk
ed away to her home. Her stepson
Vincent Aston, and Craig Biddle had