The Washington herald., 1913-04-14
One Year Ago Ship, on Its
Maiden Trip, Struck Ice
berg and Sunk with 900
Passengers and Untold
Treasure.

Just one year ago tomorrow the
world stood aghast as word OF the sink
ing of the great unsuitable" liner Titanic
was spread to every corner OF the earth.
Reports at first were vague and uncon-
firmed II was not known whether all
had been saved or whether all had
drowned. One moment it was asserted
that the Titanic had sunk with all on
board A moment later dispatches were
sent forth to the effect that the Titanic
was being towed safely into Halifax;
that il was proceeding under its own
steam into Halifax; that IL was proceed
ing under reduced speed to New York.
Then came the great shock. Officials OF
the White Star Line in New York reluc-
family admitted that the Titanic had sunk
and that the list of dead would reach
close TO a thousand. AS a matter of fact,
of the 2,340 passengers who left South
ampton on the great steamers maiden
trip, 1900 persisted.
Among the Titanics dead were men Of
every field of endeavor. There we're bank
ers, journalists, writers, artists, finan-
ciers. Among those for whom the world
mourned were Col. John Jacob Astor, Isl
dor Straus; Maj. Archibald Butt, per-
sonal aid to President Taft; jacques Fut-
relle writer; William T. Stead, journalist;
+. D. Millet, artist: G.. B. Widener, OF
Philadelphia, and Henry b. Harris, the
atrical manager.
Stories of heroism which could never
be rewarded and stories of pathos and
panic and brutality reached the read
ing public, which could hardly bring
itself to believe.
Carpeihia Reaches Port.
When the rescue steamer Carpathia,
commanded by the gallant Capt. Arthur
Rostron. came into New York Harbor
with the stricken survivors of the dis
aster. scenes were Witnessed such as the
metropolis had never before laid eyes
upon. Slowly the vessel entered quar-
antine, and cleared for her pier.
Tugs bearing newspaper men and cor
respondents representing journals from
all over the world met the Carpathia in
the bay. Through megaphones questions
were shouted at those on the Carpathia's
decks, but no replies were made. Tugs,
launches, and motorboats filled with rel
atives OF Titanic passengers begged
through megaphones for some word OF
their loved ones, but the rescue ship
proceeded slowly up the bay and into
the Hudson River. followed by the flo
tilla escort. Steamers and tugs whistied
salutes, but. without reply. sthe Carpa-
thia. flags at half-mast. as, indeed, were
all flags, finally reached her pier, where
survivors and their friends and relatives
were united, and relatives of the dead
came to hope and TO weep.
On Sunday, April H. 1912. the wireless
operator of the Titanic, Harold Gotham,
received a message from the steamer
Amerika. warning of icebergs in the Ii
tanics course. This message was turned
over to one of the ships officers, but
was ignored. Under a speed generally
agreed upon as having been twenty-one
kncts the Titanic rushed on to her
doom.
In the saloons the passengers, enter
tanning Capt. Smith. were making merry.
The night was clear and cold. The stars
giittered and sparkled and seemed to
stand out from their dark blue setting.
Many of the first cabin passengers had
retired. as had most r the second cabin.
third -class. and steerage passengers Her
maximum speed being % knots, the I'll
tanic, anxious to make "a record trip,
was pushed to the very limit by Capt.
Smith. said to have been acting under
the direction of j. Bruce Ismay, man.
aging director of the International Mer-
camille Marine, which controlled the
White Star Line, and owned the Titanic.
Mr.. Ismay was among the survivors.
ships Plates Crushed.
At the bow and in the crows nest were
look Suddenly there came a cry
from the crows nest Berg ahead"' The
first officer pacing the bridge, gave the
order, "Starboard your helm!' 1t was
too late. At a speed OF p knots, the
6O0O0-ton Titanic, representing an energy
of 1.16l, 000-foot tons. crashed into par
TALLY submerged iceberg. She grounded
upon a sunken ledge of the berg, crush |
ing in her keelplates like so much paper |
Watertight compartments were supposed
to make the great vessel unsuitable |
Through compartment after compart |
ment the ice ledge tore until practically !
all were opened. Tons Of water rushed |
in and slowly the Titanic began to set |
tie.
For some strange reason the shock of /
the collision was scarcely felt by the |
pa ssengers. 1t was at first thought that |