University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters

  
[frontispiece]
  
[title page]
  
Dedication
  
[epigraph]
  
Dr. Van Dyke's Spiritual Consolation to the Survivors of the Titanic
  
[figure]
  
CONTENTS
  
FACTS ABOUT THE WRECK OF THE TITANIC

 1. 
CHAPTER I FIRST NEWS OF THE GREATEST MARINE DISASTER IN HISTORY "THE TITANIC IN COLLISION, BUT EVERYBODY SAFE"—ANOTHER TRIUMPH SET DOWN TO WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY—THE WORLD GOES TO SLEEP PEACEFULLY—THE SAD AWAKENING.
collapse section2. 
CHAPTER II THE MOST SUMPTUOUS PALACE AFLOAT DIMENSIONS OF THE TITANIC—CAPACITY—PROVISIONS FOR THE COMFORT AND ENTERTAINMENT OF PASSENGERS—MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT THE ARMY OF ATTENDANTS REQUIRED.
  
[section]
  
SISTER SHIP OF OLYMPIC
  
CARRIED CREW OF 860
  
MOST LUXURIOUS STEAMSHIP
  
THE ENGINE ROOM
  
COMFORT AND STABILITY
collapse section3. 
CHAPTER III THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE TITANIC PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE—SCENES OF GAYETY—THE BOAT SAILS—INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE—A COLLISION NARROWLY AVERTED—THE BOAT ON FIRE—WARNED OF ICEBERGS.
  
[section]
  
THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN
  
ALMOST IN A COLLISION
  
NEW BURST OF SPEED EACH DAY
  
FIRE IN THE COAL BUNKERS
  
PASSENGERS IN IGNORANCE
  
USUAL DIVERSION
  
AN UNHEEDED WARNING
collapse section4. 
CHAPTER IV SOME OF THE NOTABLE PASSENGERS SKETCHES OF PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN ON BOARD, INCLUDING MAJOR ARCHIBALD BUTT, JOHN JACOB ASTOR, BENJAMIN GUGGENHEIM, ISIDOR STRAWS, J. BRUCE ISMAY, GEORGE D. WIDENER, COLONEL WASHINGTON ROEBLING, 2D, CHARLES M. HAYS, W. T. STEAD AND OTHERS
  
[section]
  
MAJOR BUTT
  
COLONEL ASTOR
  
BENJAMIN GUGGENHEIM
  
ISIDOR STRAUS
  
GEORGE D. WIDENER
  
COLONEL ROEBLING
  
WILLIAM T. STEAD
  
OTHER ENGLISHMEN ABOARD
  
J. BRUCE ISMAY
  
JACQUES FUTRELLE
  
HENRY B. HARRIS
  
HENRY S. HARPER
  
FRANCIS DAVID MILLET
  
CHARLES M. HAYS
collapse section5. 
CHAPTER V THE TITANIC STRIKES AN ICEBERG! TARDY ATTENTION TO WARNING RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENT—THE DANGER NOT REALIZED AT FIRST—AN INTERRUPTED CARD GAME—PASSENGERS JOKE AMONG THEMSELVES—THE REAL TRUTH DAWNS—PANIC ON BOARD—WIRELESS CALLS FOR HELP
  
[section]
  
TARDY ATTENTION TO WARNING RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENT
  
MURDOCK PAID WITH LIFE
  
VAIN TRIAL TO CLEAR BERG
  
BRIDGE GAME NOT DISTURBED
  
THE CAPTAIN ON DECK
  
PASSENGERS NOT ALARMED
  
ASTOR AND WIFE STROLLED ON DECK
  
A SUDDEN TREMOR OF FEAR
  
CONFUSION AMONG THE IMMIGRANTS
  
WIRELESS OPERATOR DIED AT HIS POST
collapse section6. 
CHAPTER VI "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST!" COOL-HEADED OFFICERS AND CREW BRING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS—FILLING THE LIFE-BOATS—HEARTRENDING SCENES AS FAMILIES ARE PARTED—FOUR LIFE-BOATS LOST—INCIDENTS OF BRAVERY—"THE BOATS ARE ALL FILLED!"
  
[section]
  
THE LIFE-BOATS LOWERED
  
LOADING THE BOATS
  
COOLEST MEN ON BOARD
  
FORCED MEN USURPING PLACES TO VACATE
  
LAST WORDS OF MAJOR BUTT
  
COLONEL ASTOR ANOTHER HERO
  
HEART-BREAKING SCENES
  
HENRY B. HARRIS
  
THREE EXPLOSIONS
  
OTHER HEROES
  
IN THE FACE OF DEATH
  
DEATH FAILS TO PART MR. AND MRS. STRAUS
  
GIRL STEPS BACK TO DOOM
  
THE MONEY BOAT
  
MEN SHOT DOWN
  
A SAD MESSAGE
  
PREPARED TO DIE BRAVELY
  
THE SINKING VESSEL
  
THE COWARD
  
THE DOOMED MEN
  
"WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST"
collapse section7. 
CHAPTER VII LEFT TO THEIR FATE COOLNESS AND HEROISM OF THOSE LEFT TO PERISH—SUICIDE OF MURDOCK—CAPTAIN SMITH'S END—THE SHIP'S BAND PLAYS A NOBLE HYMN AS THE VESSEL GOES DOWN
  
[section]
  
COLONEL ASTOR'S DEATH
  
CAPTAIN WASHED OVERBOARD
  
SAW BOTH OFFICERS PERISH
  
BAND PLAYED ITS OWN DIRGE
  
LAST MOMENTS
  
AFLOAT WITH JACK THAYER
  
HOW CAPTAIN SMITH DIED
  
A FAITHFUL OFFICER
  
A MESSAGE FROM A NOTORIOUS GAMBLER
  
FIFTY LADS MET DEATH
  
THE HEROES WHO REMAINED
  
THE OBVIOUS LESSON
  
THE ANCIENT SACRIFICE
collapse section8. 
CHAPTER VIII THE CALL FOR HELP HEARD THE VALUE OF THE WIRELESS—OTHER SHIPS ALTER THEIR COURSE—RESCUERS ON THE WAY
  
[section]
  
MANY LINES HEAR THE CALL
  
VIRGINIAN IN DESPERATE HASTE
  
TITANIC SENT OUT NO MORE NEWS
collapse section9. 
CHAPTER IX IN THE DRIFTING LIFE-BOATS SORROW AND SUFFERING—THE SURVIVORS SEE THE TITANIC GO DOWN WITH THEIR LOVED ONES ON BOARD—A NIGHT OF AGONIZING SUSPENSE—WOMEN HELP TO ROW—HELP ARRIVES—PICKING UP THE LIFE-BOATS
  
[section]
  
TITANIC STOOD UPRIGHT
  
SAW LAST OF BIG SHIP
  
"ONE LONG MOAN"
  
WOMEN TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE
  
SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN IN LIFE-BOATS
  
PHILADELPHIA WOMEN HEROINES
  
MANY WOMEN ROWING
  
THE PESSIMIST
  
COUNTESS ROTHES AN EXPERT OARSWOMAN
  
MEN COULD NOT ROW
  
DEATHS ON THE LIFE-BOATS
  
GAMBLERS WERE POLITE
  
HELP IN SIGHT
  
THE "LUCKY THIRTEEN"
  
A WONDERFUL DAWN
  
TRANSFERRING THE RESCUED
  
THE DOG HERO
  
A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF RESCUE
  
THE SORROW OF THE LIVING
collapse section10. 
CHAPTER X ON BOARD THE CARPATHIA AID FOR THE SUFFERING AND HYSTERICAL—BURYING THE DEAD—VOTE OF THANKS TO CAPTAIN ROSTRON OF THE CARPATHIA—IDENTIFYING THOSE SAVED—COMMUNICATING WITH LAND—THE PASSAGE TO NEW YORK.
  
[section]
  
AID FOR THE SUFFERING AND HYSTERICAL
  
WOMEN SEEKING NEWS
  
TEARS THEIR ONLY RELIEF
  
PITIFUL SCENES OF GRIEF
  
SURVIVORS AID THE DESTITUTE
  
WOMEN BEFRIENDED ONE ANOTHER
  
DEATHS ON THE CARPATHIA
  
SURVIVORS WATCH NEW BOATS
  
MR. ISMAY "PITIABLE SIGHT"
  
FIVE DOGS AND ONE PIG SAVED
  
VOTE OF THANKS TO CARPATHIA
collapse section11. 
CHAPTER XI PREPARATIONS ON LAND TO RECEIVE THE SUFFERERS POLICE ARRANGEMENTS—DONATIONS OF MONEY AND SUPPLIES —HOSPITALS AND AMBULANCES MADE READY—PRIVATE HOUSES THROWN OPEN—WAITING FOR THE CARPATHIA TO ARRIVE—THE SHIP SIGHTED!
  
[section]
  
EVERY POSSIBLE MEASURE THOUGHT OF
  
MRS. VANDERBILT'S EFFORTS
  
RED CROSS RELIEF
  
CROWDS AT THE DOCKS
  
EARLY ARRIVALS AT PIER
  
EIGHT LIMOUSINE CARS
  
THIRTY-FIVE AMBULANCES AT THE PIER
  
FREE RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION
  
RELATIVES OF SAVED AND LOST
  
A MAN IN HYSTERICS
  
WAITING FOR CARPATHIA
  
RESCUE BOAT SIGHTED
collapse section12. 
CHAPTER XII THE TRAGIC HOME-COMING THE CARPATHIA REACHES NEW YORK—AN INTENSE AND DRAMATIC MOMENT—HYSTERICAL REUNIONS AND CRUSHING DISAPPOINTMENTS AT THE DOCK—CARING FOR THE SUFFERERS —FINAL REALIZATION THAT ALL HOPE FOR OTHERS IS FUTILE—LIST OF SURVIVORS—ROLL OF THE DEAD
  
[section]
  
NEARING PORT
  
TALK WITH SURVIVORS
  
ALL CARED FOR ON BOARD
  
TITANIC CREW HEROES
  
RUSHES ON TO DOCK
  
THE TITANIC LIFE-BOATS
  
ANXIOUS MEN AND WOMEN
  
THE FIRST SURVIVORS
  
RUMORS AFLOAT
  
MRS. CORNELL SAFE
  
MRS. ASTOR APPEARED
  
LAST SEEN OF COLONEL ASTOR
  
DR. FRAUENTHAL WELCOMED
  
A SAD STORY
  
MORE THAN SEVENTY WIDOWS
  
STEERAGE PASSENGERS
  
TWO LITTLE BOYS
  
BABY TRAVERS
  
THE RYERSON FAMILY
  
CAPTAIN ROSTRON'S REPORT
collapse section 
LIST OF SURVIVORS
  
FIRST CABIN
  
LIST OF SURVIVORS—SECOND CABIN
collapse section 
ROLL OF THE DEAD
  
FIRST CABIN
  
SECOND CABIN
 13. 
CHAPTER XIII THE STORY OF CHARLES F. HURD HOW THE TITANIC SANK—WATER STREWN WITH DEAD BODIES —VICTIMS MET DEATH WITH HYMN ON THEIR LIPS
collapse section14. 
CHAPTER XIV THRILLING ACCOUNT BY L. BEASLEY COLLISION ONLY A SLIGHT JAR—PASSENGERS COULD NOT BELIEVE THE VESSEL DOOMED—NARROW ESCAPE OF LIFE-BOATS—PICKED UP BY THE CARPATHIA
  
[section]
  
ONLY A SLIGHT JAR
  
SOME WERE AWAKENED
  
MEN STOOD BACK
  
NO OFFICER ABOARD
  
JUST ESCAPED ANOTHER BOAT
  
WATCHED THE TITANIC
collapse section15. 
CHAPTER XV JACK THAYER'S OWN STORY OF THE WRECK SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD SON OF PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD OFFICIAL TELLS MOVING STORY OF HIS RESCUE—TOLD MOTHER TO BE BRAVE—SEPARATED FROM PARENTS—JUMPED WHEN VESSEL SANK—DRIFTED ON OVERTURNED BOAT PICKED UP BY CARPATHIA
  
[section]
  
SEPARATED FROM PARENTS
  
THOUGHT SHIP WOULD FLOAT
  
SAID THE LORD'S PRAYER
collapse section16. 
CHAPTER XVI INCIDENTS RELATED BY JAMES McGOUGH WOMEN FORCED INTO THE LIFE-BOATS—WHY SOME MEN WERE SAVED BEFORE WOMEN—ASKED TO MAN LIFE-BOATS
  
[section]
  
PARTING OF ASTOR AND BRIDE
  
BAND CONTINUED PLAYING
collapse section17. 
CHAPTER XVII WIRELESS OPERATOR PRAISES HEROIC WORK STORY OF HAROLD BRIDE, THE SURVIVING WIRELESS OPERATOR OF THE TITANIC, WHO WAS WASHED OVERBOARD AND RESCUED BY LIFE-BOAT—BAND PLAYED RAG-TIME AND "AUTUMN"
  
[section]
  
GREAT SCRAMBLE ON DECK
  
BAND PLAYS IN RAG-TIME
collapse section18. 
CHAPTER XVIII STORY OF THE STEWARD PASSENGERS AND CREW DYING WHEN TAKEN ABOARD CARPATHIA —ONE WOMAN SAVED A DOG—ENGLISH COLONEL SWAM FOR HOURS WHEN BOAT WITH MOTHER CAPSIZED
  
[section]
  
ICEBERG AND FIRST BOAT SIGHTED
  
A CAPSIZED BOAT
  
SAVED HER POMERANIAN
  
FOUR BOATS ADRIFT HE SAYS
collapse section19. 
CHAPTER XIX HOW THE WORLD RECEIVED THE NEWS NATIONS PROSTRATE WITH GRIEF—MESSAGES FROM KINGS AND CARDINALS—DISASTER STIRS WORLD TO NECESSITY OF STRICTER REGULATIONS
  
[section]
  
MESSAGE FROM SPAIN
  
HOUSE ADJOURNED
  
ROME MOURNED MAJOR BUTT
  
LONDON NEWSPAPERS CONDEMN LAXITY OF LAW
  
HOUSE OF COMMONS INVESTIGATION
  
WORK OF RAISING RELIEF FUNDS PROMPT
  
INDIGNANT GERMANY DEMANDS REFORMS
  
GERMAN LAWS ALSO INADEQUATE
  
PERSONAL ANXIETY
collapse section20. 
CHAPTER XX BRAVERY OF THE OFFICERS AND CREW ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER OF CAPTAIN E. J. SMITH—BRAVE TO THE LAST—MAINTENANCE OF ORDER AND DISCIPLINE—ACTS OF HEROISM—ENGINEERS DIED AT POSTS—NOBLE-HEARTED BAND
  
[section]
  
DISASTER TO OLYMPIC
  
THE CAPTAIN'S LOVE OF THE SEA
  
BRAVE TO THE LAST
  
OTHER FAITHFUL MEN
  
FIFTH OFFICER LOWE
  
ENGINEERS DIED AT POSTS
  
NOBLE-HEARTED BAND
collapse section21. 
CHAPTER XXI SEARCHING FOR THE DEAD SENDING OUT THE MACKAY-BENNETT AND MINIA—BREMEN PASSENGERS SEE BODIES—IDENTIFYING BODIES—CONFUSION IN NAMES—RECOVERIES
  
[section]
  
MINIA SENT TO ASSIST
  
NAMES BADLY GARBLED
  
BREMEN SIGHTED MORE THAN A HUNDRED BODIES
  
THE IDENTIFIED DEAD.
  
THE MACKAY-BENNETT RETURNS TO PORT
  
THE MINIA GIVES UP THE SEARCH
  
LIST OF IDENTIFIED DEAD
collapse section22. 
CHAPTER XXII CRITICISM OF ISMAY CRIMINAL AND COWARDLY CONDUCT CHARGED—PROPER CAUTION NOT EXERCISED WHEN PRESENCE OF ICEBERGS WAS KNOWN—SHOULD HAVE STAYED ON BOARD TO HELP IN WORK OF RESCUE—SELFISH AND UNSYMPATHETIC ACTIONS ON BOARD THE CARPATHIA—ISMAY'S DEFENSE—WILLIAM E. CARTER'S STATEMENT
  
[section]
  
FEELING IN ENGLAND
  
CRIED FOR FOOD
  
REPLY TO CHARGES
collapse section23. 
CHAPTER XXIII THE FINANCIAL LOSS TITANIC NOT FULLY INSURED—VALUABLE CARGO AND MAIL —NO CHANCE FOR SALVAGE—LIFE INSURANCE LOSS—LOSS TO THE CARPATHIA
  
[section]
  
LOST MAIL MAY COST MILLIONS
  
NO CHANCE FOR SALVAGE
  
LIFE INSURANCE LOSS
  
LOSS TO THE CARPATHIA
collapse section24. 
CHAPTER XXIV OPINIONS OF EXPERTS CAPTAIN E. K. RODEN, LEWIS NIXON, GENERAL GREELY AND ROBERT H. KIRK POINT OUT LESSONS TAUGHT BY TITANIC DISASTER AND NEEDED CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION
  
[section]
  
VIEW OF LEWIS NIXON
  
THE UNSINKABLE SHIP
  
VIEW OF ROBERT H. KIRK
  
BULKHEAD DOORS PROBABLY OPEN
  
MANIA FOR SPEED
collapse section25. 
CHAPTER XXV OTHER GREAT MARINE DISASTERS DEADLY DANGER OF ICEBERGS—DOZENS OF SHIPS PERISH IN COLLISION—OTHER DISASTERS
  
[section]
  
THE ARIZONA
  
DOZENS OF SHIPS PERISH
  
TOLL OF THE SEA
 26. 
CHAPTER XXVI DEVELOPMENT OF SHIPBUILDING EVOLUTION OF WATER TRAVEL—INCREASES IN SIZE OF VESSELS —IS THERE ANY LIMIT?—ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPEED—TITANIC NOT THE LAST WORD.
collapse section27. 
CHAPTER XXVII SAFETY AND LIFE-SAVING DEVICES WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY—WATER-TIGHT BULKHEADS—SUBMARINE SIGNALS—LIFE-BOATS AND RAFTS—NIXON'S PONTOON —LIFE-PRESERVERS AND BUOYS—ROCKETS
  
[section]
  
WATER-TIGHT BULKHEADS
  
SUBMARINE SIGNALS
  
IFEBOATS AND RAFTS
  
NIXON'S PONTOON
  
LIFE PRESERVERS AND BUOYS
  
ROCKETS
collapse section28. 
CHAPTER XXVIII TIME FOR REFLECTION AND REFORMS SPEED AND LUXURY OVEREMPHASIZED—SPACE NEEDED FOR LIFE-BOATS DEVOTED TO SWIMMING POOLS AND SQUASH-COURTS—MANIA FOR SPEED RECORDS COMPELS USE OF DANGEROUS ROUTES AND PREVENTS PROPER CAUTION IN FOGGY WEATHER—LIFE MORE VALUABLE THAN LUXURY—SAFETY MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPEED—AN AROUSED PUBLIC OPINION NECESSARY—INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED—ADEQUATE LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE COMPULSORY—SPEED REGULATIONS IN BAD WEATHER—COOPERATION IN ARRANGING SCHEDULES TO KEEP VESSELS WITHIN REACH OF EACH OTHER—LEGAL REGULATIONS
  
[section]
  
SURVIVORS URGE REFORM
  
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED
  
PROMPT REFORMS
collapse section26. 
CHAPTER XXIX THE SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION PROMPT ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT—SENATE COMMITTEE PROBES DISASTER AND BRINGS OUT DETAILS—TESTIMONY OF ISMAY, OFFICERS, CREW, PASSENGERS AND OTHER WITNESSES
  
[section]
  
CAPTAIN ROSTRON'S TESTIMONY
  
WEEPS AS HE TELLS STORY
  
TITANIC WAS A "LIFE-BOAT."
  
WIRELESS FAILED
  
TITANIC WELL EQUIPPED
  
SECOND OFFICER TESTIFIES
  
TITANIC KILLED RAPIDLY
  
COTTAM TELLS HIS STORY
  
COTTAM RECALLED
  
MARCONI EXPLAINS
  
BRIDE ON THE STAND
  
ALL APPEALS RECEIVED
  
INVESTIGATION CARRIED TO WASHINGTON
  
TELEGRAM A MYSTERY
  
FIRST DEFINITE NEWS
  
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
  
FOURTH OFFICER TESTIFIES
  
NO TRACE OF DAMAGE INSIDE
  
CARPENTER FOUND LEAKS
  
DISTRESS ROCKETS FIRED
  
HAD ASKED FOR BINOCULARS
  
AUTHORIZED TO SELL STORY
  
SAW DISTRESS ROCKETS
  
WOMEN AT HEARING WEEP
  
ANDREWS WAS BRAVE
  
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS
  
RECOMMENDATIONS.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section CHAPTER XXIX THE SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION PROMPT ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT—SENATE COMMITTEE PROBES DISASTER AND BRINGS OUT DETAILS—TESTIMONY OF ISMAY, OFFICERS, CREW, PASSENGERS AND OTHER WITNESSES Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters
next section

FIRST DEFINITE NEWS

"At 6.20 or 6.30 Monday evening," Mr. Franklin continued, "a message was received telling the fateful news that the Carpathia reached the Titanic and found nothing but boats and wreckage; that the Titanic had foundered at 2.20 A.M. in 41.16 north, 50.14 west; that the Carpathia picked up all the boats and had on board about 675 Titanic survivors—passengers and crew.

"It was such a terrible shock that it took me several moments to think what to do. Then I went downstairs to

308

the reporters, I began to read the message, holding it high in my hand. I had read only to the second line, which said that the Titanic had sunk, when there was not a reporter left—they were so anxious to get to the telephones.

previous section CHAPTER XXIX THE SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION PROMPT ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT—SENATE COMMITTEE PROBES DISASTER AND BRINGS OUT DETAILS—TESTIMONY OF ISMAY, OFFICERS, CREW, PASSENGERS AND OTHER WITNESSES Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters
next section