South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-13
STORM CRUSHED
BOATS AGAINST
STEAMER s SIDE
Women and Children Pushed
Aside by Members of Crew
in EagerneSS to Get Places
in Life Boats.

LONDON, oct. 13.-"All went well"
said Waiter Trintepohl. IN telling his
story. until CLOCK Thursday morn
ing when the fire alarm sounded. We
were aroused and told To go on deck.
as fire had broken out in the hold ON
assem- bling, life belts were handed
around. and much time was occupied
in fastening them. We were told that
the fire might soon be quenched. but
the captain thought It wise for all
10 have belts as precaution
The fire frightened the children.
who cried bitterly. There were many
babies in arms.
The fire grew worse. We saw
o'clock there was a cry To lower the
boats.
The captain behaved splendidly.
So did the officers, who were English.
I am sorry to say that the crew. who
were Germans and Belgians. behaved
very badly. The people rushed about
wildly. and the crew seemed 10 think
they ought to have first place. and
instead Of Quieting the passengers
they made the panic worse.
Crew Enters Boat.
The first officer took charge OF the
first boat but although he wanted the
women and children saved first a
majority OF those who entered the
boat were members OF the crew.
This boat was smashed against the
ships side Just as il reached the
water 10 broke in two and all were
drowned.
Meanwhile attempts were made to
lower the second boat. I cannot say
who was I'm charge of this. but 1 do
know that after the chief steward
had thrown provisions in he jumped
1 nhimself There were more men
than women and children in this boat.
which did not go down for it was
broken against the ship and all We're
drowned.
These two boats were amidships
Three other boats were put out art.
The fourth officer was in one Of them
but l cannot say which one. All was
confusion. The ropes broke and the
occupants were thrown into the water
and drowned or killed. When the
captain saw what had happened he
cut the tackle Of the other boats. SO
that they could not be launched
we were So glad when we saw
the Carmania come. for we said, now
we shall all be saved
The fremen rushed up from be-
low and refused 20 go back. The
captain drew his revolver and drove
them below. but soon after as the
ire was spreading. they were obliged
To abandon the engines.
AS soon as the Carmania was
sighted the captain made all the
women and children go 10 one side.
and the men 20 the other side. He
had been compelled 20 leave the
bridge and go aft because il was too
hot Women wept shrieked laughed
and became hysteriCal.
I'VE had not thought Of food but
in the afternoon we considered il bet
ter 20 get something and went 90 the
kitchens which we found deserted.
made coffee and helped ourselves 10
biscuit and beef But most of the
passengers refused 20 eat
we saw RATS sent from the
carmania. but nobody told us 10
jump in In fact we knew not what
they were there for. About
O'Clock the decks aft began 20 get
very warm. then hotter and hotter.
But ne did not seem 20 feel the heat.
Boot sole Was Burned
When shown his boot with the sole
half burned through, Trintepohl said,
81 don't remember this but IL was
awful when the flames burst out.
Some Of the men and women tore
their hair. but others were quite still.
After the explosion l thought IL
better 90 jump. FOR ] am a good
swimmer. and an English passenger
and one ~ the crew said they would
accompany me. L jumped first; they
followed but / never sew them again.
II made for the German ship. but
they did not hear me. Then I came
toward the Carmania and shouted.
Help and was seen bv the aid OF
In the water and became half un-
conscious. / knew not how was
got out
During the day. ave sailors and