Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-04-24

taken to ascertain the damage and
save passengers and ship. Orders
were given to put on life belts and
the boats we're lowered. The ship
sank at about 2.20 am. Monday, and
the usual distress signals were sent
out by wireless and rockets fired at
Intervals from the ship. Fortunately
the wireless message was received by
the Cunard liner Carpathia at about
IL o'clock midnight, and she arrived
on the scene OF the disaster at about
O'Clock a. m. Monday.
''The officers and crew OF the
steamship Carpathia had been pre-
pairing all night for the rescue and
comfort Of the survivors, and the last
mentioned were received on board
with the most touching care and
kindness, every attention being given
to all, irrespective Of class. The
passengers, officers and crew gave up
gladly their state rooms. clothing and
comforts for our benefit.
"The English board Of trade pas
| sengers' certificate on board the III
tanic allowed for a total of approxi-
mately $500. The same certificate
called for a lifnboat accommodation
| for approXimateiy $50.
'"rhe approximate number Of pas
sengcrs carried at the time OF the
collision was: First class, $50; sec
ond class, 320; third class, 75O; to-
tai, 1,400; officers and crew $40.
Total on board 2,34O.
"Of the foregoing about the fol-
lowing were rescued by the steam
ship Carpathia:
First class 2l0, second class 1925,
third. class 200, officers 4, seamen
80. stewards 90, fremen II. Total
passengers 535, officers and crew
210. Total saved 745.
THE total saved was about so per
cent of the maximum capacity Of the
lifeboats.
I'VE feel it our duty to call the
consider the Inadequate supply of
life-saving appliances provided on
modern passenger steamships, and
recommend that immediate steps be
taken to compel passenger steamers
to carry sufficient boats to accommo-
'7t~ ~" maximum number of people
.."f-@G ga t'lgG.
.FNe iuUawHE + ITS were o03cry-
cd ao5 suou,G or orsilcred in this
! The 4AsU-lr'oAg. or iif@hrpt5,
RATS, ETC.; lack Of trained seamen to
man same (stokers, stewards, etc,
are not sufficient boat handlers); not
enough officers to carry out cmer-
eency orders on the bridge and SUI
perintending the launching and con-
troll OF life boats; absence OF search
lights.
'Thc board OF trade (British) }
rules allow for entirely too many peo-
pie in each boat to permit the same
to be properly handled.
con the Titanic the boat deck was
about 10 feet above water, and con-
seluently the passengers were re-
quircd to embark before lowering
moats, thus endangering the opera
ton and preventing the taking on Of
the maximum number the boats
would hold
Boats at all times should be pro-
pcrly equipped with provisions, wa
ter, lamps, compasses, lights, etc.
Life-saving boat drills should be
more frequent and thoroughly car
! ried out, and officers should be arm
ed at boat drills.
Thcre should be greater reduction
IN speed in fog and ice, as damage,
If collision actually occurs. is liable
TO be less. In conclusion. we suggest
that an international conference be
called to recommend the passage Of
Identical laws providing for the safe
ty OF all at sea, and we urge the
United States government to take
the initiative, as soon as possible"
Although tho foregoing was given
out as a signed statement by a COM
mittee OF passengers, their sigma
lures were omitted. attendant upon
the confusion when the Carpathia
docked.
Saw Dead Bodies Floating.
More than 100 OF the surviN Ors are
in the hospital upon the Carpa thia.
Within a few minutes OF the time
the Titanic crashed on the ice noun