The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-19
STATEMENT OF SURVIVORS.
Prepared and Issued by Committee Oh
the Carpathia

New York, April 19.-The following
statement, issued by a committee of
the surviving passengers, was given to
the press on the arrival of the Car
pathia.
1--WE, the undersigned. surviving
passengers from the steamship Titanic,
in order to forestall any sensa tionaI or
exaggerated statements, deem it our
duty to give to the press, statement
of facts which have come to our
knowledge and which we believe to be
true:
"On Sunday, April IA, 1912, at about
11:40 p. m, on a cold starlight night
in smooth sea and with no moon.
the ship struck an iceberg which had
been reported to the bridge by out
looks. but not early enough to avoid
collision. Steps were taken to ascer-
tain the damage and save the paSsen-
gers and ship orders were given to
put on life belts and the boats were
lowered.
THE ship sank at about 2:2O a. m,
Monday and the usual distress signals
were sent out by wireless and rockets
at intervals from the ship.
Fortunately the wireless message
was received by the Cunard's Car
pathia at about 2 o'clock midnight
and she arrived the scene of the
disaster at about a. M, Monday.
The officers and crew of the steam
ship Carpathia had been preparing all
night for the rescue, and comfort of
were received on board with the most
touching care and kindness, every at
tention being given, irrespective OF
class. The passengers, officers and
crew gave up gladly their staterooms
clothing and comforts for our benefit,
all honor to them.
THE English board of trade passengers
certificate on board the Titanic show
ed approximately $500. The same GER
tificate called for lifeboat accommoda-
lions for approximately $50 in the fol-
lowing boats:
Fourteen large life boats, two small
err boats and four collapsible boats.
Life preservers were accessible and
apparently in sufficient number for all
on board.
The approximate number of pas
sengers carried at the time of collision
was:
First class, $50; second class, $50;
third class, 1,400; officers and crew
$40. Total, 2,34O OF the foregoing
about the following were rescued by
steamship Carpathia:
First class, 30; second class, 125;
third class, 200; officers four; seamen
80; stewards, SO; firemen, II; total 210
of the crew. The total about IT'S saved
was about so per cent of the maximum
capacity of the lifeboats
I'VE feel it our duty to call the at
tention of the public to what we con
slider the inadequate supply of Iif.
saving appliances provided for on mod
ern steamships and recommend that
immediate steps be taken to compe
passenger steamers to carry sufficient
boats to accommodate the maximum
number of people carried on board
The following facts were observed and
should be considered in this connec
ton:
The insufficiency of life boats.
RATS, etc; lack of trained seamen to
ma l.
not efficient boat handlers); not
enough officers to carry out emer-
gency orders on the bridge to superin-
tend the launching and control of life
boats; absence of searchlights.
THE board of trade rules allow for
entirely too many people in each boat
to permit the same to be properly
handled. On the Titanic. the boat
and consequently the passengers were
required to embark before lowering
the boats, thus endangering the opera
ton and reducing the maximum num-
boats at all times should be properly
equipped with provisions, water,
lamps, compasse5. lights, etc. Life
saving boat drills should be more fire.
and officers should be armed at boat
drills Great reduction in speed in
fog and ice, as damage if collision ac-
tually occurs is liable to b less. In
conclusion, we suggest that an interna-
tionaI conference be called to recon-
mend the passage of identical laws
providing for the safety of all at sea
and we urge tie United States gov
eminent to take the initiative as soon
as possible"
The statement was signed by Sam |
ueI Goldenberg, chairman, and a COM |
mittee of some twenty-five passen- |
gers.
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