The Nevada County picayune., 1912-04-26
PASSENGERS BARE THE AWFUL FACTS Committee of 25 Titanic Sur vlvors Relate Story In a
 Signed Statement. LIFE SAVERS INSUFFICIENT Suggests International Conference to Provide for Safety of all Sea
 Passengers.
LIFE SAVERS INSUFFICIENT

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 Curnard Pier, New York.-The fol lowing statement issued by com mittee of the surviving passengers was given the press on arrival oi the Carpathia:
 We, the undersigned surviving pas sengers from the steamship Titanic, il order to forestall any sensational exaggerated statements, deem it ou1 duty to give to the press statement of facts which have come to our knowl edge and which we believe to be true
 "On Sunday, April H. 1912, at about 11:40 p. m., on cold starlight night, on smooth sea and with no moon, the ship struck an iceberg, which had been reported to the bridge by look outs, but not early enough to avoid collision. Steps were taken to ascer- tain the damage and save passengers | and ship. Orders were given to put On life belts, and the boats were low i cred
 Ship Sank at 2:2o a. m.
 "The ship sank at about 2:20 a. III Monday. The usual distress signals were sent out by wireless, and rock cts were fired at intervals from the ship. Fortunately, the wireless mes sage was received by the Cunard steamship Carpathia at about 12 o'clock midnight, and she arrived on the scene of the disaster at about i a. m. Monday.
 "rhe officers and crew of the steam ship Carpathia had been preparing all night for the rescue and comfort of the survivors, and the last mentioned were received on board with the most touching care and kindness, every at- tention being given to all, irrespective to class. The passengers, officers and crew gladly gave up their staterooms, clothing and comforts for our benefit.
 The English Board of Trade pas sengers' certificate on board the Iii tanic allowed for total of approxi- mately $500. The same certificate called for lifeboat accommodation for approximately $50, in the following boats:
 Fourteen large lifeboats, two small CT boats and four collapsible life pre- servers were accessible, and apparent. ly in sufficient number for all on board.
 The approximate number of pas sengers carried at the time of the col lision was:
 "First-class 33O, second-class 32O. third-class 750; total 1,4O0; officers and crew $40: total 2,340.
 "Of the foregoing about the follow ing were rescued by the steamship Carpathia:
 "First-class, 210; second-class, 125; third-class, 200; officers, four, sea men, 39; stewards, 96; firemen, II. Total, 210 of the crew.
 The total of about 745 saved was pacity of the lifeboats,
 Lives Uncared For.
 We feel it our duty to call the at. tention of the public to what We con. sider the inadequate supply of life saving appliances provided for or modern steamships, and we recom- mend that immediate steps be taken to compel passenger steamers to carry sufficient boats to accommodate the maximum number of people on board
 The following facts were observed, and should be considred in this con. necton:
 "The insufficiency of lfeboats, rafts, etc, lack of trained seamen to man some (stokers, stewards. etc, are not efficient boat handlers): not cy orders on the bridge and superin- tend the launching and contol of life, boats: absence of searchlights.
 The Board of Trade (British) rules allow for entirely too many people in each boat to permit the same to be properly handled
 "On the Titanic the boat deck was about 75 feet above water, and con. seque1tly the passengers were requir- ed to embark before lowering boats, thus endangering the operation and preventing the taking of the maxi mum number of persons the boats would hold.
 Boats a all times should be properly equipped with provisions, water lamps. eompasses, lights. etc. Life saving boat drills should be more ire quent and thoroughly carried out, and officers should be armed at boat drills
 There should be greater reduction in speed in fog and ice, as damage, if collision actually occurs, then is liable to be less.
 "In conclusion we suggest that an international conference be called to recommend the passage of identical laws providing for the safety of all at sea, and we urge the United States government to take the initiative as soon as possible.
 The foregoing statement was signed
 I |