Titanic Disaster.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 256, 29 April 1912, Page 5

Titanic Disaster.

\ MORE SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. THE WRECKS SIGNALS. CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS. By Cable—-Press Association-^Copyright. Received 28, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 27. There was a sensation at the Senatorial enquiry when Gill, one of the Californian's donkey-engine men, gave evidence that he saw the Titanic's white rockets ten miles away at midnight. He did not notify the officers on the bridge because they could see the rocket 3 themselves. An apprentice officer, however, informed the captain, who disregarded the signals of distress. Gill added that he tried to organise a deputation to go to the captain and protest, but the men were afraid of losing their jobs. Lord, captain of the Californian, denied Gill's allegations. He stated that when he came to the icefields he sent a wireless message to the Titanic, which was nineteen and a half miles away. The Titanic replied: "Shut up! get out!" He saw none of the Titanic's signals. If he had received a C.Q.D. signal on Sunday he could have reached the Titanic in two hours. Another ship lay within four or five" miles of the Californian all night. She sent up several white rockate, which were not distress signals. The Californian replied with Morse signals. Captain Lord told the wireless operator to ascertain the vessel's name. "She 'did not reply," he added, "so I went to Ibed. I was told that she steamed away about 4 a.m. lam sure that she was not the Titanic." Evans, the Californian's wireless operator, stated that he went to bed at 11.25. Previously, acting on the captain's orders, he warned the Titanic of icebergs. The Titanic operator replied. "Shut upl You jambed me working with Cape Race." The chief officer awoke him at 3.40 a.m.. saying that he had seen rockets, and wanted information. "I called the Frankfurt." he continued, "and learnt that the Titanic was sinking. It was generally believed on the Californian that the rockets were from the Titanic.'' Bulej-, a Titanic seaman, gave evidence that a steamer with (wo lights at the masthead was visible when the Titanic struck. "She passed right by," he said. "We thought she was coming to our help, and told the passengers so to keep them quiet. She must hive seen the rockets, as we saw the ship itself.",

BODIES RECOVERED. A PASSENGER'S MISTAKE. ! Received 27. 1.50 p.m. New York. April 2G. The bodies of Messrs. Astor, Straus. Alieson and Hants have been recovered. Ottawa, April 20. It is officially stated that the Mount Temple went to the assistance of the Titanic, arriving after the Carpathia. The passenger's mistake was due to thinking that the captain saw the signals. Instead, he received a wireless call. • THE TTTAXIC'S REINSURANCE. Received 29, 12.45 a.m. New York, April 28. Franklin, recalled, denied that there was any attempt to reinsure the Titanic prior to the news of the sinking of the vessel. THE RELIEF FUNDS. London, April 26. Subscriptions are being raised in Paris, Vienna and many other cities for the Titanic disaster. "COALS OF FIRE." London, April 26. . The underwriters, who lost £BOO,OOO, Bent Mr. Ismay a message of sympathy. Lord St. Davis, during the debate In the House of Lords, remarked that the Titanic was technically a British ship, but the owners were absolutely controlled by the American corporations. Sir Edward Grey informed Mr. Munro Ferguson that when the Paris stranded In Cornwall no investigation 'was held. The captain declined to give evidence wliich might prejudice himself and the owners. An investigation was afterwards held in America, and the captain's certificate was suspended. Mr. Buxton informed Mr. Ashley that the Dover-Calais steamers were certified to carry 1318 passengers and a crew of 66. They were compulsorily provided with boat accommodation for 256 souls, and with accommodation for 24 on one buoyant raft. IN THE ICEFIELD. ™*l i THE EMPRESS OF BRITAIN'S EXPERIENCE. London, April 27. A Mareonigram received in Liverpool states' that the Canadian-Pacific liner. Empress of Britain, when crossing the Grand Banks, met a dense fog 240 miles eastward! of the Titanic's position. An iceberg was sighted ahead, the engines were reversed, and the ship swung off, barely escaping. There were icebergs in all directions, and the vessel proceeded to Halifax instead of to Montreal. THE STEAMER KARAMEA'S EXPERIENCE. Auckland, April 26. The steamer Karamea, which arrived from Cardiff, AVales, via St. John and 'Australian ports, reports a heavy gale and bitterly cold days almost throughout the voyage. When off Cape Race, Newfoundland, the scene of the Titanic disaster, the Karamea ran into a field of ice. and was over ten hours in getting clear. Although the speed of the vessel was reduced to two knots, the impact, as she bumped her way Ihroujrh small bergs, was sufficient to shake her from stem to stern, dent her bows, and loosen the rivets. The ice appeared to grow thicker as the vessel proceeded, and in order to avoid eerious damage

Captain Clifton made a detour of 100 miles southwards in his eour-\ The weather was very cold, the temperature falling to 15 degrees below zero. On the • following day, February Bth, the ship's quartermaster (J. W. Scott) died from pneumonia, and was buried at sea on the evening of the same day. The Karamea steamed into St. John's with ice and 6now two feet thick over her decks, rigging and sides. Spray was thrown on to her decks by the big sea running, and froze as it fell. Three hours were spent in clearing with the aid of crowbars and the steam winch the anchor, which had been frozen to the ship's side. Reports were received at St. John's of several schooners being sunk by the weight of ice and snow on their decks and rigging, while others were los't through all hands being frostbitten. During the voyage Captain Clifton suffered from a severe attack of rheumatic fever, and a call had to be made at Capetown for medical advice.