Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-18
.BR|T0NS At LAST
REALIZE HORROR
Calamity of THAMES Loss I'm.
pressed on Public in Unprec.
edented Manner.
ALL OTHER TOPICS DWARPED
unsupported Dangers in Ocean
Travel Revealed by Man,
moth Liner Having Only
90 Lifeboats.
ALL OTHER TOPICS DWARPED

London, April 16-The King. in a mes
sage to the White Star company, and the
prime minister in the House of Commons.
to-day appropriately expressed the ma
tons sense of poignant sorrow at calam-
ity which was impressed on the public
mind almost in an unprecedented manner,
not only because of the terrible nature OF
the disaster to the Titanic but by reason
of the peculiar circumstances surround
ing II. The first hopeful wireless message
leading to the belief that all had been
saved, the origina of which is now a mat
ter Of anxious speculation, then the sud-
den dashing Of hopes, tended in a most
dramatic way to raise public interest to
q pitch of the greatest intensity.
As the day passed and the hopes that
there might prove to be further survivors
on other liners were gradually disap-
pointed. the British public began slowly
to realize the dreadful nature of the cat
astrophe.
Pathetic scenes were enacted all day
long at the offices Of the White Star
company. the hotels and other places
where friends OF those aboard the i'll
fatc6 vessel had gathered, waiting for
the dreaded news All other topics were
completely dwarfed. Parliament discussed
home rule. but that question for the
moment has no interest for a public face
to face with such an appalling disaster.
BRAVERY OF MEN PRAISED.
Much satisfaction is expressed at the
large number of women and children
among the survivors, as showing that the
best traditions of the sea have been up
held. There is no disposition pending
further details to attribute blame In any
quarter. hut every possible phase ana
theory likely TO throw light or give
guidance for the future is being discussed.
especially the question as to the number
of boats and life saving appliances car
rIed aboard the big liners In this respect
the calamity has brought revelation to
the public Of unsupported dangers In
ocean travel, which may be calculated TO
lead to the strictest investigation. and
If possible. remedial measures for Its reg
ulation.
In response to a telegram OF inquiry as
to the number of boats carried by the
Titanic, and how many persons they
would accommodate, the White Star COM
pany at Liverpool sends the following
message:
The Titanic had 20 boats, which is in
excess Of the official requirements.
The list of the number Of boats carried
by steamers has been widely discussed.
II appears that the board of trade regula-
tons permit n reduction by half In the
number Of boats. RATS and buoyant ap-
paratus carried when the ship Is provided
with water tight compartments but this
concession does not apply to life jackets
and similar appliances.
IMPOSSIBLE TO CARRY BOATS.
According to some experts 1t would be
an impossibility to carry n sufficient
number of boats to accommodate all on
board the mammoth liners, or II carried
that it would be next to impossible to
man and provision them. 1t cannot be
doubted. however. that the disaster will
lead to a strict inquiry by the board r (
trade into ithis matter, and a revision of
the regulations
This question has already been for
some time under discussion by the ad-
visory committee, compose OF promi-
nent ship owners. and the board of
trade committee. and certain recon-
mendations had been prepared, which
have not yet been made public
The Titanic was fitted with cleo
trica1ly controlled water tight com
partments. Therefore these should
have been Immediately closed from the
bridge unless. as surmised. the collis-
Ion so damaged the electrical appar.
atus as 10 render this impossible, or
the vessels side was torn away nv an
iceberg.
At the White Star offices in London
and Southampton late tonight large
crowds were waiting in the preates.
anxiety for further lists MANY pathe-
NC scenes were witnessed. In one
street In Southampton every house
nau bread winner aboard the Titanic.
me mayor OF Southampton has opened
reiief FUND for those left dependent
ana has appealed to the lord mavo,
or London to cooperate
INSURANCE COMPANIES SUFFER-
The sinking OF the Titanic, following 50
CLOSELY the wreck OF the Delhi, Oceana
and other big vessels has caused conster.
nation among the marine underwriters
1t VIII be long before the full effect in
assurances Of various kinds at I.loyds ia
Known ana many underwriters and sy,,.
dlcates may be hard hit.
Several insurance men, questioned on
the subject, declined to commit then-
selves TO any definite opinion but seemed
to think that there would be a movement
In the direction of higher rates of .nsur-
ance. Asked whether this would prove
setback to tho building of huge vessels.
one member Of Lloyds said that it de-
pended on the nature of the details OF
the disaster given by the survivors.
Instructions were issued to-day that
all Cunard steamships should follow the
southern route owing to the Ice.
RULES REGARDING BOATS.
The board of trade regulations re-
quire that a vessel of 10000 tons shall
carry minimum of l6 boats There
are no regulations applying to ves-
sells OF greater tonnage. but another
rule provides that where boats do not
furaish accommodation for all pas.
sengers on the steamer additional
wood or metal collapsible boats or
liferafts shall be carried The regu-
lations require that the capacity Of
the boats shall be $500 cubic feet.
The Titanic's boats had a capacity of
9.702 cubic feet each Thus she had
nesrly double the accommodate ton 70.