THE TITANIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 63, 1 August 1912, Page 5

THE TITANIC.

LORD MERSEY'S REPORT. WISE AFTER THE EVENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, July 30. Lord Mersey, in delivering his findings on the Titanic enqirv, said the gross charge that Sir Cosmo Dull Gordon had bribed the sailors to row away was unfounded, and said that the third-class passengers were not unfairly treated. He considered it irregular for Captain Smith to give Mr. Ismay the Baltic's message regarding ice, and improper for Mr. Ismay to retain it, but the incident did not influence the navigation. The court regretted that some of the Titanie.'s lifeboats did not attempt to save life, particularly No. 1. The Court condemned the practice of going full speed in the ice region at night.

The Board of Trade should remind shipmasters that it was a misdemeanor not to go to the assistance of a vessel in distress.

Lord Mersey recommended an international conference regarding longitudinal and vertical bulkheads, also watertight bulkheads on each side of a ship, watertight decks above water-line and searchlights. Tie recommends that lifeboats and rafts be provided according to the persons carried, and not according to the tonnage of the vessel, more frequent boat drills, a police system on all ships to secure obp(li"!ce, and the working of wireless telegraphy by night and day.

EXCESSIVE SPEED CONDEMNED.

London, July 30.

Lord Mersey's report states that the Titanic disaster was due to excessive speed. The boat arrangements were improper and insufficient.

Captain Smith was grievously mistaken, but not negligent. No moral duty was imposed on Mr. Tsmay to await the sinking of the Titanic.

The steamer Californian saw the lights of the sinking ship, and could have saved man}'. PRESS COMMENT. THE BOARD OF TRADE. Received 31, 11.20 p.m. London. July 31. Tlifi Times, demurring at the words in the chief finding, declares that the Titanic's collision was due to the course steered not less than to the excessive time speed. If the object hud 'been sighted the speed would have been immaterial. The report declares that an extra look-out should have been placed at the stemhead and that a sharp lookout should be kept on botli sides of the bridges. It adds that apart from these points the report is masterly, thoroughly lucid, dispassionate and firm.

The Times and other newspapers emphasise the finding whic'i blames the Board of Trade's omission to revise the rules relating to boat accommodation.