ABOARD THE TITANIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 65, 3 August 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

ABOARD THE TITANIC

I We have not heard in New Zealand anything like the full story of the Titanic wreck as it is unfolded in the American and English papers week by week. Even now fresh instances of devotion of which the cables in the first wild rush of news told us nothing, especially as at the outset the American reporters were eagerly piling fact and fiction round the picturesque personalities of the millionaires whose names , were household words in the Uuited j States, Now the glimpses of human I nobility face to face with death are j being recounted. Among the incidents that are going round are those regarding two Roman Catholic priests who were numbered with the drowned. The full account of > their heroic devotion appears in the New York World and the London Daily Chronicle, among other journals. These two priests went down with men and women grouped around them responding to prayers. Not only Catholics, but non-Catholics and Jews, realising that their last hour was at hand, took part in the final religious service as the Titanic was heading downward for the depths. The Rev. Thomas R. D. Byles, of Westminster Diocese, London, was on his way to officiate at the marriage of his i brother in Broklyn. The other was a German priest, who also spoke Hungarian. Father Byle.s was in the second cabin, the German priest in the third. Both priests celebrated mass on Sunday morning. Father Byles delivered a sermon in English and French, the other in German and Hungarian. Strangely enough, each of the priests spoke of the necessity of man having a lifeboat of religion consolation at hand in case of spiritual shipwreck. After the Titanic struck, Father Byles made his way to the steerage. He was active in getting steerage passengers up to the boat deck, and assisting women and children to the lifeboats. He led not only in rendering material aid to the frightened emigrants, but in keeping the religious aspect to the fore. Three of the survivors who vividly remember the last hours of the heroic English priest are Miss Ellen Mocklare, Miss Bertha Moran and Miss McCoy, j These told their story in concert at ; the hospital recently. "When the crash | came we were thrown from our berths," said Miss Mocklare, "Slightly dressed, we prepared to find out what had happened. We saw before us coming down tiie passage way, with hand uplifted, Father Byles. We knew him because he had visited us several times on board, and celebrated mass for us that very morning. 'Be calm, my good people,' lie said, and then he went about the steerage giving absolutions and blessings." "Meanwhile the stewards ordered us back to bed," spoke up Miss McCoy, "but we would not go." "A few around us became very excited" Miss Mocklare continued, "and then it was that the priest again raised his hand, ami instantly there was calm once more. The passengers were immediately impressed by the absolute self-control of the priest. He began the recitation of the Rosary. The prayers of all regardless of creed, were mingled, and the responses were loud and strong." "Continuing the prayers," said Miss Moran 'lie led us to w'her.e the boats were being lowered. Helping the women and children in, he whispered to them words of comfort and encouragement." One sailor," said Miss Mocklare, warned the priest of his danger, and begged him to board a boat. Father Jiyles refused. The same seaman spoke to him again and seemed anxious to help him but he refused again. Father Byle.s could have been saved, but he would'not leave while one was left and the sailor's entreaties were not heeded. After 1 »ot in the boat, which was the last one"to leave and we were slowly going further away from the ship, I could hear distinctly the voice of the priest and the response of his prayers. Then thev became fainter and fainter, until I could only hear the strains of 'Nearer, my <>» d. ti> Thee,' and the screams of the people left behind."