A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT.

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

A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT.

ONLY A SLIGHT JAR. NO PANIC OR ALARM. (Received April 20, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 19. Mr. Beesley, Science Master at Bulwinch College, in his narrative, stated that there was fine weather and a calm sea on Sunday, but very cold, when a slight jar was felt, lasting from ten to 15 seconds. It may have been somewhat greater, but it was insufficient to. create anxiety. * The engines stopped, and it was thought the vessel had lost a propeller. He went on deck. There were only a few about. Card players were in the smokingroom and had noticed the jar. Looking over the side he saw an iceberg on the vessel's side. He went to his cabin and returned on deck later and found unmistakeably that the vessel was down at the head. He then went below and heard the cry "All passengers on deck with lifebelts on."

Tlie passengers merely regarded it as a precaution. There was no panic or alarm, and no visible signs of disaster. The boats were swung out, and this awakened them to a sense of danger. The next order was "All vmen stand from boats ; women retire to deck below." As the boats reached the lower deck the women quietly entered, with the exception of some who refused to leave their husbands. In some cases they were forcibly torn from their husbands and pushed into the boats. Als the 'boats touched the water they slipped away in the darkness There was no hysterical sobbing. All

Were extraordinary calm on the Titanic

Three men were then ordered into the boats.

H 6 saw a boat, half full of women on the- port side. A'sailor asked it any more ladies were on his deck, and as there were none he then invited Mr. Beesley to jump in. No oflicers were in the boat, and no one seeme<] to know what to do. Ihe boat swung under another descending boat, and only the promptitude of a stoker in cutting the falls prevented all being crushed. The stoker took charge: Mr Beesley. continuing nis Story, stated that the leviathan loomed up against the sky with every porthole gaping. At two o'clock she settled rapicUy. T..e bows and bridge were under water. The lights flickered and then were extinguished. Then the stern tilted, and all the machinery roared down through the vessel with a. rattle which must have been audible for miles.

About 150 feef'of the stern protruded straight up for about live minutes. Then she made a slanting dive which was followed by appalling cries for help from hundreds of human beings in the icy water.