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The “Titanic” Disaster

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 25, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 17.

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The “Titanic” Disaster

ON the night of April 14 occurred what is generally regarded as the most fearful marine disaster in the history of the world. The greatest steamship ever built, on her first trip across the Atlantic from England to New York City, while sailing at twenty-six miles an hour, collided with a gigantic iceberg, which so demolished the lower portion of her hull that in less than four hours the icy waters of the Atlantic had engulfed her and 1,595 of her passengers and crew. Had it not been for the wireless telegraph and the calmness of the sea, the other 739 would doubtless have lost their lives also. The harrowing details of this awful tragedy have cast a gloom over the world. It is impossible even for eye-witnesses to give an adequate portrayal of the terrible occurrence, and no one can do justice to what is entailed in such a catastrophe. There is no word of censure heard as to the personal conduct of the ship’s officers. Brave men were they all, and there was no lack of heroism, either, on the part of passengers. The censure falls upon the owners and directors of the vessel, who are believed to be responsible for its taking the shorter northern route and maintaining high speed when they knew of the danger and had received warnings of the proximity of icebergs. A desire to make a record for the increased business it would bring seems to have been the paramount consideration on the part of the owners of the line. The races of these ocean greyhounds is a race with death, and dollars are given more consideration than human lives. This appalling catastrophe is a striking illustration of the tendencies of the times. The god of gold seems to have dethroned the Deity himself in the hearts of many of earth’s millions. Luxury and speed are the chief considerations in transatlantic traffic, and all at the expense of life, and all for the purpose of winning more trade and piling up more millions. We offer our sincerest sympathy to all who mourn their loved ones who perished in the foundering of the “Titanic.”