PASSENGERS AND CREW DYING WHEN TAKEN ABOARD CARPATHIA--ONE WOMAN SAVED A
DOG--ENGLISH COLONEL SWAM FOR HOURS WHEN BOAT WITH MOTHER CAPSIZED
SOME of the most thrilling incidents connected with the rescue of the
Titanic's survivors are told in the following account given by a man
trained to the sea, a steward of the rescue ship Carpathia:
"At midnight on Sunday, April 14th, I was promenading the deck of the
steamer Carpathia, bound for the Mediterranean and three days out from
New York, when an urgent summons came to my room from the chief steward,
E. Harry Hughes. I then learned that the White Star liner Titanic,
the greatest ship afloat, had struck an iceberg and was in serious
difficulties.
"We were then already steaming at our greatest power to the scene of the
disaster, Captain Rostron having immediately given orders that every man
of the crew should stand by to exert his utmost efforts. Within a very
few minutes every preparation had been made to receive two or three
thousand persons. Blankets were placed ready, tables laid with hot soups
and coffee, bedding, etc., prepared, and hospital supplies laid out
ready to attend to any injured.
"The men were then mustered in the saloon and addressed by the chief
steward. He told them of the disaster and appealed to them in a few
words to show the world what stuff Britishers were made of, and to add
a glorious page to the history of the empire; and right well did the
men respond to the appeal. Every life-boat was manned and ready to
be launched at a moment's notice. Nothing further could be done but
anxiously wait and look out for the ship's distress signal.
"Our Marconi operator, whose unceasing efforts for many hours deserve
the greatest possible praise, was unable at this time to get any reply
to the urgent inquiries he was sending out, and he feared the worst.
"At last a blue flare was observed, to which we replied with a rocket.
Day was just dawning when we observed a boat in the distance.
ICEBERG AND FIRST BOAT SIGHTED
"Eastward on the horizon a huge iceberg, the cause of the disaster,
majestically reared two noble peaks to heaven. Rope ladders were already
lowered and we hove to near the life-boat, which was now approaching us
as rapidly as the nearly exhausted efforts of the men at the oars could
bring her.
"Under the command of our chief officer, who worked indefatigably at the
noble work of rescue, the survivors in
{illust. caption = Above: MAIN STAIRWAY ON TITANIC. TOP E DECK Below:
SECOND LANDING. C DECK. GRAND STAIRWAY}
{illust. caption = MRS. JOHN B. THAYER
Mrs. Thayer and her son were....}
{illust. caption = JOHN B. THAYER
Second Vice-President of the...}
the boat were rapidly but carefully hauled aboard and given into the
hands of the medical staff under the organization of Dr. McGee.
"We then learned the terrible news that the gigantic vessel, the
unsinkable Titanic, had gone down one hour and ten minutes after
striking.
"From this time onward life-boats continued to arrive at frequent
intervals. Every man of the Carpathia's crew was unsparing in his
efforts to assist, to tenderly comfort each and every survivor. In all,
sixteen boatloads were receives, containing altogether 720 persons, many
in simply their night attire, others in evening dress, as if direct from
an after-dinner reception, or concert. Most conspicuous was the coolness
and self-possession, particularly of the women.
"Pathetic and heartrending incidents were many. There was not a man of
the rescue party who was not moved almost to tears. Women arrived and
frantically rushed from one gangway to another eagerly scanning the
fresh arrivals in the boats for a lost husband or brother.
A CAPSIZED BOAT
"One boat arrived with the unconscious body of an English colonel. He
had been taking out his mother on a visit, to three others of her sons.
He had succeeded in getting her away in one of the boats and he himself
had found a place in another. When but a few-yards from the ill-fated
ship the boat containing his mother capsized before his eyes.
"Immediately he dived into the water and commenced a frantic search for
her. But in vain. Boat after boat endeavored to take him aboard, but he
refused to give up, continuing to swim for nearly three hours until
even his great strength of body and mind gave out and he was hauled
unconscious into a passing boat and brought aboard the Carpathia. The
doctor gives little hope of his recovery.
"There were, I understand, twelve newly married couples aboard the big
ship. The twelve brides have been saved, but of the husbands all but one
have perished. That one would not have been here, had he not been urged
to assist in manning a life-boat. Think of the self-sacrifice of these
eleven heroes, who stood on the doomed vessel and parted from their
brides forever, knowing full well that a few brief minutes would end all
things for themselves.
"Many similar pathetic incidents could be related. Sad-eyed women roam
aimlessly about the ship still looking vainly for husband, brother
or father. To comfort them is impossible. All human efforts are being
exerted on their behalf. Their material needs are satisfied in every
way. But who can cure a broken heart?
SAVED HER POMERANIAN
"One of the earliest boats to arrive was seen to contain a woman
tenderly clasping a pet Pomeranian. When assisted to the rope ladder and
while the rope was being fastened around her she emphatically refused to
give up for a second the dog which was evidently so much to her. He is
now receiving as careful and tender attention as his mistress.
"A survivor informs me that there was on the ship a lady who was taking
out a huge great Dane dog. When the boats were rapidly filling she
appeared on deck with her canine companion and sadly entreated that he
should be taken off with her. It was impossible. Human lives, those of
women and children, were the first consideration. She was urged to seize
the opportunity to save her own life and leave the dog. She refused to
desert him and, I understand, sacrificed her life with him.
"One elderly lady was bewailing to a steward that she had lost
everything. He indignantly replied that she should thank God her life
was spared, never mind her replaceable property. The reply was pathetic:
"'I have lost everything--my husband,' and she broke into
uncontrollable grief.
FOUR BOATS ADRIFT HE SAYS
"One incident that impressed me perhaps more than any other was the
burial on Tuesday afternoon of four of the poor fellows who succeeded
in safely getting away from the doomed vessel only to perish later from
exhaustion and exposure as a result of their gallant efforts to bring
to safety the passengers placed in their charge in the life-boats. They
were:
"W. H. Hoyte, Esq., first class passenger.
"Abraham Hornner, third class passenger.
"S. C. Siebert, steward.
"P. Lyons, sailor.
"The sailor and steward were unfortunately dead when taken aboard. The
passengers lived but a few minutes after. They were treated with the
greatest attention. The funeral service was conducted amid profound
silence and attended by a large number of survivors and rescuers. The
bodies, covered by the national flag, were reverently consigned to the
mighty deep from which they had been, alas, vainly, saved.
"Most gratifying to the officers and men of the Carpathia is the
constantly expressive appreciation of the survivors."
He then told of the meeting of the survivors in the cabin of the
Carpathia and of the resolution adopted, a statement of which has
already been given in another chapter.