Mr. and Mrs. Troutt, of Newark Street, Bath, have received a letter from their daughter, who was on board the Titanic at the time of the catastrophe, and among those saved. The letter was received this morning from New York, and was written by Miss Troutt on board the R.M.S. Carpathia on the Tuesday and Wednesday following the disaster. The letter ran as follows:-
On board the Cunard RMS. Carpathia.
My dear Mother, Father, and all, -
You will be pleased to know that I am safe on the Carpathia, after a ‘’thrilling yet safe experience.’’ But I am very much afraid all the men have lost their lives; they were very brave. It was the greatest surprise to everyone. We were all in bed, and told to remain there, as it was only an ‘’Iceberg,’’ so we were only in our night attire. Everything is lost, money, pictures, and all. We were launched in the lifeboats at 1.15 a.m. and picked up at 6.15. The Titanic was cut in two and was sunk to the second deck when I reached a lifeboat. I saved a baby in arms, and we had to sing for our lives at such a perilous time. The sailors were singing ‘’Pull for the shore, sailors’’ and rowing, half dressed in frozen garments. The conduct of all the passengers was really wonderful. ‘’Babies and ladies first,’’ was the order. I think there were only sixteen boats. We were fortunate to have calm seas and a good nerve.
We could not any of us realize the peril until we were safe on this boat. Then the pathetic scenes occurred. Women were looking for their husbands and mothers for their babies. The band was playing until the last. I cannot write any more just now, but please don’t worry. I will try and get along the best I can. Trusting you are getting over the shock. From your loving daughter,
WINNIE.
Wednesday, Carpathia.
Just another line to say I am very well and getting quite used to things now. We are encountering lots of strange things here, thunder and lightning, fog and rain; but I suppose eventually I shall reach my destination. I believe this boat has picked up 700, and we think that is all that were saved. We have had several burials, people dying from the exposure. This boat was on her Mediterranean cruise, but is good enough to go to New York. We were 150 miles out of our course and going at 25 knots an hour. They say the captain was so proud of the record nad was trying to make a record trip. The iceberg was three times the size of the Titanic. We were on the North Ocean and surrounded with icebergs, and when we reached this ship we could see nothing but fields of ice. It was a beautiful picture; and then the trails of the whales was another sight. I saw about seven. I escaped in my nightdress and coat and petticoats; everything else was gone. We were going to hold a concert on Monday night. There was a priest on board, who celebrated Mass on Sunday. I never in my life met such devoted people, and I often think we were all too happy to live long. I should very much like to see the account of it in the papers. We are sleeping like a lot of dead things all over the floors of the ship…..I dare say you all have lots of sympathy for me, but believe me, I am one of the lucky ones. My life is saved, my health is not impaired, and I have not lost anyone belonging to me. I tell you I have lots to be thankful for. I was ready to go down with the ship, but they forced me in the lifeboat. I think it wicked to save the single girls, but now that I saved a baby whose mother was in another baot I don’t mind. We are still very fog bound, which makes all very anxious to arrive at New York.’’
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