Voices from the Titanic by Geoff Tibballs Page A

swung out and lowered from A deck. When they were to the level of B deck, where all the ladies were collected, the ladies got in quietly, with the exception of some who refused to leave their husbands. In some cases they were torn from them and pushed into the boats, but in many instances they were allowed to remain because there was no one to insist they should go.
    Looking over the side, one saw boats from aft already in the water, slipping quietly away into the darkness, and presently the boats near to me were lowered and with much creaking as the new ropes slipped through the pulley blocks down the ninety feet which separated them from the water. An officer in uniform came up as one boat went down and shouted: ‘When you areafloat, row round to the companion ladder and stand by with the other boats for orders.’
    â€˜Aye, aye, sir,’ came up the reply, but I do not think any boat was able to obey the order. When they were afloat and had the oars at work the condition of the rapidly settling boat was so much more of a sight for alarm for those in the boats than those on board that in common prudence the sailors saw they could do nothing but row from the sinking ship to save at any rate some lives. They no doubt anticipated that suction from such an enormous vessel would be more than usually dangerous to a crowded boat mostly filled with women.
    ( New York World , 19 April 1912)
    May Futrelle lost her husband – novelist Jacques Futrelle – in the disaster. She described the scene on board ship prior to the collision.
    In the elegantly furnished drawing room, no premonitory shadow of death was present to cast cold fear over the gaiety of the evening. It was a brilliant scene; women beautifully gowned, laughing and talking – the odour of flowers. Why, it was just like being at some beautiful summer resort.
    All that afternoon and in the evening, everybody was discussing the probability of arriving in New York on Wednesday. It was regarded as certain that the Titanic would make her trip in record time. We were not afraid of going too fast. We only knew of the speed by looking at the indicator. The sea was so calm, and the motion of the boat so slight that it was hardly noticeable.
    The night was beautiful. The sea was placid and wonderful to look upon. Countless stars were reflected in all their glory in watery depths which gave no hint of the treachery lurking in them. Phosphorus gleamed upon the surface of the sea and reflected back its radiance from giant icebergs which were scattered over the face of the waters. There was not the slightest thought of danger in the minds of those who sat around thetables in the luxurious dining saloon of the Titanic . It was a brilliant crowd. Jewels flashed from the gowns of the women. And, oh, the dear women, how fondly they wore their latest Parisian gowns! It was the first time that most of them had an opportunity to display their newly acquired finery. The soft, sweet odour of rare flowers pervaded the atmosphere. I remember at our table there was a great bunch of American beauty roses. The orchestra played popular music. It was a buoyant, oh, such a jolly crowd. It was a rare gathering of beautiful women and splendid men.
    There was that atmosphere of fellowship and delightful sociability which makes dinner on the Sabbath on board ship a delightful occasion. I thought, as I glanced over the saloon, that it would be hard to find gathered in one place a crowd which would better typify the highest type of American manhood and womankind.
    I remember Jacques and Mr Harris discussing at our table the latest plays on the American stage. Everybody was so merry. We were all filled with the joy of living. We sat over dinner late that night.
    I remember we discussed among ourselves a man sitting at a table across the cabin who was suspected of cheating at cards the night before. Card-playing had been permitted on the boat for the first time. The men warned one another