Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-05-29
ON BOARD THE TITANIC
(Continued from flrst page ,


Titanic would staunchly bear UP
with her waiting hundreds, until sue
coring ships had completed the work
of rescue. Finally, we started in pur
suit of the low-lying, distant ligh
pointed out, but again and again oul
Mortified eyes were held by the light
ed, sinking steamer.
Slowly, deck after deck sunk out
of sight, the water covering the bow
port holes, and as she crouched low
animal
Death Struggle of Ship.
1t was more like a nightmare than
reality, to watch the death struggle
of the ship whose warm and ST Derla-
tive luxury had so recently EMBODIED
us. What bitter regret one felt al
the thought of the millions spent in
palm gardens, Turkish baths, squash
court, tapestried walls, and inlaid
woods, when the great essential OF
sufficient lifeboats was lacking.
All aboard her had such faith in
her staunchness that they waited by
preference aboard her after her
death blow, believing her unsuitable.
Her wireless call rent the sky rock
cts blazed, Illuminating the huge ice
berg on the starboard side, and her
cannon doomed again and again for
succor.
The incredible sound of music
reached us, and with disappearing
lights, the roar of explosions, the
walls of 1000 agonizing souls was
mingled the heroic music played by
what trembling hands God only
knows.
Horror and grief stunned us. How
could We witness it and live?
One seaman said over and over
again, I'D rather go back and drown
with them than save myself"
Yet we were in the hands of men
who had lighted their cigarettes with
calm Indifference before we left the
steamers deck. A steward near me,
trying to row, said, Il never held an
car before" No officer was at our
helm. We depended on girls to steer
us. and all night the women rowed,
standing facing the men, so four
hands were throwing all bodily
strength into each pull of the oars.
Mrs. Swift of Brooklyn rowed all
through the night.
! Often the lantern was lifted and
waved. 1t burned badly, and we lost
time trimming it. The sea stretched
so smoothly before us that the stars
were reflected. Twinkling about us
were the lights of other Titanic
without lanterns burned rope and
hats as signals.
Seaman Gives Up Coat.
~
"Will one of the ladies have my
coat?"
Where is your coat?"
Oh. / have it ON, but you are vel
come to it," he answered.
Slowly dawn came.
Never had our eyes watched sc
eagerly for the creeping light that
turned from black to gray, then
flushed to pink on low-lying clouds
Then what joyous cry went up. Fal
away from the elusive light we HAD
vainly followed, shone light, toe
high to be anything but mast light
What salvation lay in its existence
could we but reach it, Or call it to us!
Soon it showed deck lights, as il
swung it's side toward us. and from
the fear of death awaiting us ouI
hearts surged to the belief that help
relief, and life itself reached out
glad, welcoming hands.
Courage now" we cried, as the
sea grew rough, as the wind rose
with the approaching dawn.
How desirable life looked!
Freezing hands labored at the oar:
and the first CLEANS of the sun dis
played a horizon with fifteen icebergs
white against it, Seagulls flew over
our beat, returning to hover over the
crew of straining women and men al
the oars.
AS far as the eye could see, were
small white boats struggling toward
the rescuers called by the miracle OF
the wireless message. Boat after
boat gathered close to that waiting
ship. Would such Joy ever be ours
to become one of them, and feel a
line of safety thrown to hold us to
her side?
We saw her black hull, the swing
ing rope ladders, and men waiting on
her decks. Whirling ropes flew to-
ward us, oars were shipped, and just
as safety seemed certain, we crashed
against the hull of the Carpathia. in
|
A voice called, ANY children on
board?'
Up went a shout of mol"
Secured at bow and stern, a
"bos'ns seat" was lowered, looking
like a stout wooden swing. 1t work
ed on pulley, and many hands held
| it, The thought of being seated in
it was terrifying, as it swayed dizzily
between sky and sea, but strength
and assurance of safety rang in the
voices above.
Lifted to Safety.
| Life preservers were discarded,
and the passenger nearest the bow
was pulled upward in series of Wig
orous leaps. Outstretched arms Sc
cured each one in turn, and the deck
of the good ship Carpathia was a
haven of safety.
Never, while life lasts, will | for
get my fear when my friend, Mrs.
White, who had cheered and cOnsol-
| ed us all the night, was drawn up
ward, clinging to that rope.
Kind hands wrapped us in blank
cts and helped us to the library on
| the deck above, in whose warmth we
were glad indeed to rest.
Gratitude OF the Rescued.
How the Carpathia rushed to the
Titanic's aid is another story-it is
record of captains supreme COM
mand of his own brain and hand and
heart, and of those under his COM