NEW YORK, April 19---Mrs. Alexander T. Compton and her daughter, Miss Alice
Compton, of Lakewood, N. J., and New Orleans, two of the Titanic’s rescued,
reached here completely prostrated over the loss of Mrs. Compton’s son
Alexander, who went down with the big liner. Mr. Compton was a large
stockholder in the Laurel House, Lakewood, and was also financially interested
in the Waumbek, Jefferson, N. H. The family spent considerable time in
Lakewood.
“When we waved good-by to my son,” said Mrs. Compton, “we did not realize the
great danger, but thought we were only being sent out in the boats as a
precautionary measure. When Captain Smith handed us life preservers, he said
cheerily: ‘They will keep you warm if you do not have to use them.’ Then the
crew began clearing the boats and putting the women into them. My daughter and
I were lifted in the boat commanded by the fifth officer.
“There was a moan of agony and anguish from those in our boat when the Titanic
sank, and we insisted that the officer head back for the place where the
Titanic had disappeared. We found one man with a life preserver on him
struggling in the cold water, and for a moment I thought that he was my son.”