In smoking room on Sunday night 11:45 – slight jar felt which for moment made us think some breakage machinery, but soon engine stopped and stepping from the Verandah Cafe iceberg plainly seen and felt. Most people abed. Boat absolutely quiet even five minutes later, going boat deck, noticed very slight list. After watching some time, going down met many coming A deck with life belts. Learning that asked to don these – went to cabin and put on lifebelt, overcoat and cap. Coming A deck, saw boats being lowered and noticed general reluctance people going into them. Then I saw a few men and women go into a boat and I followed and when lowered, pushed off, and rowed some distance fearing suction in case Titanic sinking. No passenger believed it possible then – all expected to go back after damage patched up, but as we drifted away gradually, saw TITANIC sink lower and lower and finally, lights on her went out, and others in my boat said they saw her disappear.
Our boat was then nearly two miles away but pitiful cries could be plainly heard. No one in our boat knew how many lifeboats were on TITANIC but as about 2½ hours collapsed before she sank and sea was calm, there was ample time for saving every soul on board had there been sufficient boats.
As dawn broke, it became bitter cold and the sea became choppy, and very soon was pleased to discern the lights of an approaching ship and soon afterwards heard the fog-horn of the
CARPATHIA.
We rode towards the steamer but it took us about [2?] and one-half hours before we reached her. The captain of the
Carpathia as well as offices and crew did all that was possible to make us comfortable and to those [section missing].
The sight from the deck of the CARPATHIA to one who for the first time crossed the Atlantic was suggestive of the North Pole as a large number of icebergs and ice field many miles long was around us. We soon, however, left this dangerous zone and after more or less bad weather, storms, and fog, we safely reached New York.
