LESSON OF THE TITANIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 14 June 1912, Page 3

LESSON OF THE TITANIC

—_ ♦ S.S. ZEALANDIC—26 BOATS. By Telegraph —Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. The Titanic, disaster illustrated, at the cost of so many lives, the necessity for ocean-going steamers carrying sufficient lifeboats to accommodate < - vry soul on board. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's steamer Zealandic, which arrived from London via Australian ports on Wednesday morning, was the first steamer under any flag to leave the port with enough boats to provide accommodation for the whole of the passengers and crew. The news of the sinking of the Titanic was received only a few days before the Zealandic was to sail for Sydney with 1211 immigrants for the Commonwealth, and. brushing aside the limitation permitted by the Board of Trade regulations, the owners purchased sufficient additional boats to ensure a place for every person on the vessel. The upper deck of the Zealandic presents an unusual appearance, there being no fewer than 26 lifeboats in position j there. Each of them is capable of acI commodating (10 persons. Eight of the 1 boats were swung over the side ready to ' be lowered at a moment's notice, and I there are also d number of collapsible boats, which are constructed to accommodate 56 persons.