New-York tribune., 1912-04-16
HERE SURE BIG
LINER WAS UNSUITABLE.
White Star Officials Held to This
Opinion Until Late
Last Night.
RELATIVES THR0NG OFFICE
All Through the Day They Were
Assured All Was Well-Vast
Ice Fields Far to
the South.
RELATIVES THR0NG OFFICE

All day Yesterday up TO o'clock last
night the White Star Line officials in this
city maintained positive belief that the
IS cotton steel liner. with her fifteen water
tight compartments, was unsinkaole.
Throughout the day It was generally be-
lieved by shipping men that the Titanic
would keep afioat indefinitely and would ul-
timately be saved
Put shortly after o'clock with the signs
Of emotion and the long strain strong in
his face, Vice President ? A. s. Franklin
called the reporters into his ofhce and said
quietly:
We have reason to believe that the IT,
taric went down ar 30 o'clock this morn
ing"
II was the first definite news that the
officials OF the company had got during the
day OF tic condition OF the boat: at least
such wac the impression they gave out,
qualifying most Of their statements with
the reservation that their knowledge came
entirely from press dispatches.
we have heard nothing directly from
Captain Smith himself Mr.. Franklin sato.
we are not sending any orders from here
he has his hands full without being both
cred with orders. We attribute our failure
20 hear from him to the fact that the wire
less apparatus IS disabled"
When Il vas pointed out that the failure
OF the wireless apparatus seemed 70 indi-
cate that the ship was In a bad way. since
the power for the wireless was derived
from, auxiliary engines which could be op-
Grated even thought the boat could not
proceed under her own propellers, Mr..
Frankl!ns confidence IN the safety Of the
ship appeared 70 be unwaverirg.
we place absolute confidence IN the IT,
tanic," he said I'VE believe the boat IS
unsuitable. and, although she may have
been struck at the bow and have settled in
the water. we know that she would remain
on the surface We do not attach any Sig
niacance to the fact that there are no Mar
conf messages from the vessel. We think
Il denotes nothing but the fact that the
boat is IN wireless communication with
other steamers, or she may have gotten
OF all the messages she wanted TO send
I'VE are not at all worried about the ship.
but we are extremely sorry for the annoy
ance and inconvenience TO our passengers
and the travelling public. You can make
our views as forcerul as you want regard
ing the capabilities Of the ship to with.
stand any exterior damage"
Thought All Wore Safe.
Confidence IN the ultimate safety OF all
the passengers was also expressed by the
steamship officials. In the middle OF the
morning the contents Of a wireless dis.
patch were given out stating that the
women and children had been taken on
in the ufeboats and small craft on board
the vessel. This would indicate that the
danger was great although II was said
that the sea was calm and the pumps were
being worked to the utmost. and the water
tight compartments in the forward part OF
the ship that had become flooded with
water were holding we'll. II these contin-
make port safely.
I'VE figure that the virginian. Of the
Allan Line. will be alongside the Titanic
nv 10 o'clock" II was said In issuing as
suring words to the crowds OF relatives
that besieged the Offices all day, ''and we
figure that the Olympic will be with her
bv o'clock and the Baltic an hour later"
Relatives Besieee Offices.
| The telephone wires Of the company were
kent busy with anxious inquiries from
those who had friends or relatives aboard
the ship. and there were crowds all day
,onv demanding definite news. To all prac-
t,cally the same answer was given-Mr.
rranklin's statement that he felt sure
| there would be no loss of life and his con-
edence in the unsinkable qualities Of the
chin. This seemed to have convincing ef-
,.ct and there was no excitement among
the anxious lnquirers.
Among those who appeared In person to
,aks inouiries were w. Fl. Force. father Of
Mrs John Jacob Astor. who was among
,h. messengers. ]. G. Doboyn, secretary to
Colonel Astor. accompanied Mr.. Force
bradley Martin. jr.. was also among those
,vho visited the ONCE. but he would not
cav whose welfare he was interested in.
Woo,strate Robert Cornell. whose wife was
,ba steamer, sent one Of his court at
..,donts 10 ask for tidings Ex-senator
C,.rx was also seen at the office. but he
so,d TO have come simply to make ar
..roements for transportation, having
a,S,n9 10 do with the Titanic.
p Morgan. jr.. also visited the offices
~. line. When asked II the Mr.. and Mrs
,toroan listed among the passengers were
",,vss he said they were not. Colonel
,anIs,on was another inquirer anxious
about his sister'in-law.
pa,,sf in the seaworthiness OF the liner
D iniured condition was not con.