Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-06-01
TITANIC'S DEAD
CAPTAIN BLAMED
Senate Committee Says He FALL
ed to Heed Warnings.
MEDAL FOR CAPT. ROSTROA
Captain Of Californian Held Partly Re.
sponsible For Great Loss Of Life
Through Ignoring Distress Signals.


The Titanic disaster of April IS, in
which 1917 souls went down amid ice
bergs on the Banks OF Newfoundland.
was the theme OF speech. report anu
proposed legislation in the senate.
Senator William Alden Smith, OF
Michigan. submitted the report of the
Investigation by the senate commerce
committee which Investigated the
wreck
According to Senator Smith, who
made comprehensive speech on the
port. blame for the disaster IS d.
rectly chargeable to the failure OF the
dead Captain Smith to heed repeated
warnings OF Icebergs ahead, but the
responsibility for unnecessary loss OF
life must De shared by Captain Lord
of the steamship Californian. through
his disregard OF distress signals.
Condemnation OF the captain of the
Californian Tor not going to the aid
OF the sinking vessel was also Tea
ture of the report. Mr. Smith in his
speech personally took strong ground
in reviewing the disaster and intro
duced measures to safeguard life In
ocean traffic
Senator smith proposed in two bills
a thorough regulation OF navigation by
steam vessels along lines taught by
the disaster, proposed enacting into
law variety OF rules and regulations,
and embodied in the measures numer
Gus retomm endations for safety made
in the official report OF the commit
tee
One of the most important recon-
mendations was for stricter inspec
ton of vessels by the federal steam
boat inspection service and the meet
ing OF all requirements of American
navigation laws by every vessel clear
ing from an American port. \ com
mission was proposed to determine
upon measures regarding life saving
equipment and for governing the fu-
ture construction OF vessels.
The senate passed joint resolution
extending the thanks OF congress and
appropriatng $1,000 for medal e
Captain Arthur H. Rostron. OF tbs
steamer Carpatha. and also a vote OF
thanks to the Carpathia's crew. The
resolution was introduced by Senator
Smith at the close of his speech i,
was adopted Immediately without ref
erence to a committee.
Senator Smith declared that in ad
dltion to those already mentioned, re
spOnsibility also rests upon the Brit
ish Board OF Trade. ITO whose laxiiy
Of regulation. and hasty inspection. the
world is largely indebted for the aw
ful fatality" In denouncing Captain
Lord. OF the Californian. the senator
said the Tiianic's distress signals were
plainly seen from the deck OF his yes
sci a short distance away
America will leave 10 England the
chasiisement OF those guilty. asserted
the senator. and he quoted British
Law 10 show tina; Captain Lord might
be prosecuted FOR misdemeanor.
other conclusions presented. in briei.
were as follows:
Before the Titanic departed on her
latal maiden voyage there We're no
sufficient tests OF boilers. bulkheads,
equipment or signal devices.
Officers and crew we're strangers to
each other and not familiar with the
ships implements or tools. and no
drill or station practice took place and
no helpful discipline prevailed
The speed Of the Titanic was 2iia
miles an hour at the time OF the acc,.
deni. although officers OF the Titanic
had been advised OF the presence ul
lcebergs by the steamships Baltic.
Amerika and Californian.
Passengers were not advised OF dan.
ger, although ]. Bruce lsmay. presi
dent OF the White Star line, who WIS
taking the vessels maiden voyage,
was informed No general alarm wa,
given nor any organized system Of
safety undertaken.
or the 1924 passengers and Sgg
members of the crew on board. there
was room in the llfeboats for only
ll7e persons. and because Of lack o.
orderly discipline the boats took on
only 7ei persons. twelve being rescued
from the water.