Shipwrecks -- North Atlantic Ocean; Titanic (Steamship)
FROM the moment that Bruce Ismay's name was seen among those of the
survivors of the Titanic he became the object of acrid attacks in
every quarter where the subject of the disaster was discussed. Bitter
criticism held that he should have been the last to leave the doomed
vessel.
His critics insisted that as managing director of the White Star Line
his responsibility was greater even than Captain Smith's, and while
granting that his survival might still be explained, they condemned his
apparent lack of heroism. Even in England his survival was held to be
the one great blot on an otherwise noble display of masculine courage.
A prominent official of the White Star Line shook his head meaningly
when asked what he thought of Ismay's escape with the women and
children. The general feeling seemed to be that he should have stayed
aboard the sinking vessel, looking out for those who were left, playing
the man like Major Butt and many another and going down with the ship
like Captain Smith.
He was also charged with urging a speed record and with ignoring
information received with regard to icebergs.
FEELING IN ENGLAND
The belief in England was that the captain of the Carpathia had acted
under Ismay's influence in refusing to permit any account of the
disaster to be transmitted previous to the arrival of the vessel in New
York. Ismay's telegram making arrangements for the immediate deportation
of the survivors among the Titanic's crew was taken to be part of the
same scheme to delay if not to prevent their stories of the wreck from
being obtained in New York.
Another circumstance which created a damaging impression was Ismay's
failure to give the names of the surviving crew, whose distraught
families were entitled to as much consideration as those whose relatives
occupied the most expensive suites on the Titanic. The anguish endured
by the families of members of the crew was reported as indescribable,
and Southampton was literally turned into a city of weeping and tragic
pathos. The wives of two members of the crew died of shock and suspense.
CRIED FOR FOOD
Mr. Ismay's actions while on the Carpathia were also criticised as
selfish and unwarrantable.
"For God's sake get me something to eat, I'm starved. I don't care what
it costs or what it is. Bring it to me."
This was the first statement made by Mr. Ismay a few minutes after he
was landed on the Carpathia. It is vouched for by an officer of the
Carpathia who requested that his name be withheld. This officer gave
one of the most complete stories of the events that took place on the
Carpathia from the time she received the Titanic's appeal for assistance
until she landed the survivors at the Cunard Line pier.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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