The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-04-19

from ~ to 2S knots an hour.
Quartermaster Moody, who was at
the helm, said the ship was making 21
knots and that the oficers were un-
der orders at the time to keep up the
speed in the hope of making a record
passage on the liners maiden voyage.
These orders were being carried out
in the face of the knowledge that the
steamer was in the vicinity of great
icebergs sweeping down from the north
that very afternoon.
Had Been Warned.
According to the record of hydro
graphical Office the Titanic had been
relayed a wireless warning from the
Steamer America that an unusual field
of pack ice and bergs menaced navi-
cation off the banks.
But it was clear and starlit night
as all the survivors described the
weather and the great ship sped
through the quiet seas with the Of
ficers confident that even though Ice
bergs should be seen, the vessel could
be controlled in ample time and the
passengers rested in the full conf
dence that their temporary quarters in
the largest and most magnificent vessel
ever constructed, We're as safe as their
own firesides. This confidence was
emphasized by series of incidents
told by nearly all the survivors. that
when the crash came, there was prac-
tically no excitement.
Many who felt anxious enough to go
on deck to inquire what happened
were but little perturbed when they
learned the ship had 'only struck an
iceberg. 1t appeared to be glanc-
ing blow and at first there was no in
dication of a serious accident. Al group
Of men at cards in the smoking room
sent one of their number to look out
of the window and when he came back
with the announcement that boat had
grazed an iceberg the party went on
with the game, but 1t was never finish
! ed
The stoppage OF the engines was
noticed far more than the collision.
the effect being as one survivor put
it, like the stopping of a loud ticking
clock.
Passengers Overeonfident.
The overconfident passengers were
not brought to the slightest realiza-
ton that the collision might mean se-
rious danger until the call ran through
the ship, "All passengers on deck with
| life belts on,
Captain Smith, It is said was not on
the bridge when the collision occurred
but was hurriedly summoned by the
first oficer. He took charge Of what
seemed a hopeless situation In man
ner the passengers praise as calm,
resolute and efficient to the last.
Vivid Description.
One OF the most stirring narratives
of the action and description Of the
scenes that followed the collision was
told by T. Beasley a Cambridge uni-
versity man who was one Of the sur
viving second cabin passengers.
"The steamer lay just is IL she were
awaiting the order to go on again
when some trifiing matter had been
adjusted ne said. "but in few min
utes we saw the covers lifted from the
Iifeboats and the crews allotted To
them standing by ready to lower them
into the water.
Presently we heard the order, all
men stand back and all ladies retire 10
the next deck below, the smoking room
deck, or b deck. The men stood away
and remained III absolute silence lean
ing against the end railing or pacing
slowly up and down. The boats were
swung out to the level Of the B deck
where alI the ladies had collected.
The ladies got in quietly with the ex-
ception Of some who refused to leave
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