INSUFFICIENT BOAT ACCOMMODATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 20 April 1912, Page 5

INSUFFICIENT BOAT ACCOMMODATION

WIVES REFUSE TO LEAVE HUSBANDS AND GD DOWN IN THE SHIP. TITANIC FLOATS FOR NEARLY THREE HOURS. A PASSENGER'S ALLEGATION. (Received April 19, 11.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 19. Upon the arrival of the Carpathia the friends of many survivors who were suf fering from shock were wheeled to t>'C dock in invalid chairs. According to the statement issued by the survivors' committee, ord-i/s :v:upromptly given to put on life belts and launch the" life boats. Distress signals were sent out by wireless, and rockets were fired.

The vessel sank at 2.20 in the morning.

The captain and officers of the Carpathia gave the most touching attention, to the survivors.

The Titanic carried fourteen life boats, two smaller boats, four collapsible boats, and life belts sufficient for all on. board. Tiie boats,, however, were entirely insufficient.

There was no panic while the women and children were leaving, everyone believing it was simply a measure of precaution.

Several women had to be torn from their husbands when the order was gvien to rescue the women only. Several even then refused to leave, and were drowned with their husbands.

One woman Hied in a life boat, and three others after reaching the Carpathia. The Titanic seemed to break suddenly in two, and sink instantly, according to a statement of one passenger. It- is impossible to say what occurred on board after the survivors left.

Another passenger states that Captain Smith shot himself on the bridge. Officers had previously wrested a revolver from him in the library; but the captain broke away from them and dashed on to the bridge, and shot himself through the mouth. The chief engineer likewise committed suicide.