Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-16
The Greatest Of Sea Disasters.

With all the safeguards against disas-
ter, the wireless, the multiple water
tight compartments, the special appa-
ratus for determining water temperatures
and detecting the proximity of icebergs
the sea has taken toll again OF human
life in appalling measure. The loss of the
Titanic Is a stunning disaster. scarcely to
be credited in its magnitude. When the
word first came that she had struck
mass of floating ice there was confidence
that she was in no peril. She was built
to Withstand such shocks. supposedly a
triumph of the shipbulder's art, as safe
a haven as a city hotel. The multitude
of people who took passage on her for
her first voyage across the Atlantic, COM
prising one of the most brilliant COM
panies of people ever borne by an ocean
liner had doubtless not a thought of
peril as the giant craft moved steadily
and swiftly toward port. She, Of all the
ships afioat. would surely triumph over
the dangers Of the deep.
1t is too soon to place the blame for
this disaster 1t may have been due to
overspeeding. to excessive confidence in
the vessels stanchness. to panic and in
ability to control the immense crowd of
passengers, or, despite the presumptive
assurance that the vessel was properly
equipped, to inadequacy Of lifeboats
Supposedly every vessel that goes to sea
carries sufficient accommodations for the
saving of every soul on board. If
the Titanic was permitted to start on
her maiden voyage with boats enough
only for less than half of her company
crime has been committed that calls
for the utmost punishment that the laws
atty can adequately express its magni-
tude.
A sickening alienation OF hopes and
fears succeeded the first report of the
Titanic's collision with the ice. There
was no reason at the outset to appre-
bend anything approaching the catas-
trophe which now seems too truly verb
fed. Early yesterday morning came
what appeared to be positive assurances
that the ship was safely afioat and that
no lives were lost. A most impressive
and thrilling spectacle was pictured by
the dispatches from Halifax. which told OF
the leviathan making her way calamity
toward harbor towing her own boats laden
with her passengers. while toward her
fastened vessels summoned by wireless
from all directions.
Had it been true that the Titanic mas
tered the crushing blow given by the Ice
there would have been none but praise
for her management and admiration for
her qualities. AS it is, the disaster shakes
faith in both seamanship and maritime
construction. If such vessel Is not to
be trusted, in these days. OF highly de-
veloped scientific precautions and protec-
tons, what assurance has the seafarer?
Every disaster teaches some lesson, and
doubtless from this world shaking calam-
ity will come some discovery, some adj
dition to the safeguards. But 1t is an
awful price to pay for knowledge and for
advancement, the loss of many hundreds
of lives. including some most useful in
the worlds economy. This Is NO time
to differentiate between those who have
gone down with the Titanic. The
humblest stoker or .steerage passenger is
as sincerely mourned by his family land
friends as the man of widest reHown
and greatest wealth among the ships
company. When death strikes, on land
or sea, it is no respecter Of persons.