TITANIC DISASTER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10621, 29 April 1912, Page 5

TITANIC DISASTER

I CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.)

EVIDENCE AT THE ENQUIRY

A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.)

WASHINGTON, April 28

A sensation was caused at the Titanic enquiry by a donkey engincman on the Californian named Gill giving evidence that he saw white rockets from the Titanic ten miles away. It was midnight, and ho did not notify the officers on the bridge, because those on the bridge could see for themselves. An. apprentice officer, however, informed the Captain, who disregarded the signals of distress. Gili added that he tried to organise a deputation from the crew to go to the captain and protest, but tho men were afraid that they would lose their jobs.. A DENIAL.

Captain .Lord, of the (Janfor'nian, 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 fitanic's signals. If he had. received a "CiO.D." signal on Sunday, iu could have reached the' Titanic in two hoars. Another ship lay within four or five miles of the Californian all night. She sent up several white rockets, which were not distress signals. The Californian replied with Morse signals. Captain Lord said he told his operator to ascertain the vessel's name, but she did not reply, and so he went to bed. He was told that she steamed away about four o'clock. He was sure it was not tho Titanic. THE OPERATOR'S STATEMENT. Mr Evans, wireless operator on the Californian, stated that he went to bed at 11.25 p.m. Previously, by the Captain's orders, he had warned the Titanic about the icebergs. The Titanic's operator replied, "Shut up; you have jammed me working with Capo Race." The chief officer awoke him at 3.40 a.m., saying that he had seen rockets, and wanted information. Tho witness called the Frankfurt, and learned that the Titanic was sinking. It was generally believed on the Californian that the rockets were from the Titanic. A SEAMAN'S EVIDENCE. _ A seaman of the Titanic named Buley gave evidence that a steamer with two lights at her masthead was visible when the Titanic struck. She passed right by. "We thought," said Buley, "that she was coming to our help, and we told the passengers so, to keep them quiet. She must have seen the rockets, as we saw the ship itself." _ BODIES RECOVERED.

(Eeceived. April 27,1.60 p.m.)

NEW YORK, April 2i>

I The bodies .of Colon el 'Astor; Mr j Indos Strauss, Mr Hart and Mr Alli- { son have been recovered.

.THE,MOUNT TEMPLE. (Received April 27, 1.50 p.ui.)

OTTAWA, April 26. It is officially stated that, tho Mount Temple went to the assistance of tho Titanic, arriving after tho Carpathian Tho .passengers' mistake was due to their thinking tho captain saw signals, instead of which ho received a wi relets call.

TECHNICALLY A BRITISH SHIP

WHAT OCCURRED WHEN THE PARIS STRANDED.

(Received April 27, 8.5 a.m.)

LONDON, April 26

Lord St. Davids, in tho debate in the House o£ Lords, remarked that though tho Titanic was technically a British ship, tho owners were absolutely controlled by an American corporation.

The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey iji the House of Commons, informed the Right .Hon. R. C. Munro-Fcrguson that when the steamer Paris stranded at Cornwall no investigation was held. The -Captain declined to give evidence winch might prejudice himself with the owners. An investigation was afterwards held in America, and 'the Captain's certificate suspended.

THE CHANNEL STEAMERS

PROVISION FOR PASSENGERS,

(Received April 27, 8.5 a.m.)

LONDON, April 2G

The President of the: Board of Trade (Mr Sydney Buxton) informed Mr W. W. Ashley (Unionist member for North Lancashire) that the DoverCalais steamers were certified to carry 1318 passengers and a crew of 56. They were, compulsorily provided with boat accommodation; for 256 souls, with accommodation for 24 in one .buoyant* .

SYMPATHY WITH MR V

UNDERWRITERS' MESSAGE.

(Received April 27, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, April.26. The underwriters, who have lost .£BOO.OOO through the wreck of the Titanic, have sent Mr Ismay a message of sympathy."