In the House of Commons yesterday
LordCharles Beresford (U, Portsmouth) asked the President of the Board ofTrade whether there was any later news as to the Titanic.
ThePrime Minister, who replied, said the news received by the Board ofTrade that morning from the White Star Company was in these terms: -
Olympicreports that the Carpathia reached the Titanics position at daybreak. She found boats and wreckage only. Titanic had foundered about 2.20 in41.16N, 50.14W. All her boats are accounted for. About 675 souls aresaved of the crew and passengers, the latter all nearly women andchildren. Leyland liner Californian is remaining searching theposition of the disaster. The Carpathia is returning to New York withthe survivors.
Nofurther news has yet been received by the Board of Trade. Perhaps theHouse will allow me to add this: - I am afraid we must brace ourselvesto confront one of those terrible events in the order of Providencewhich baffle foresight, which appal the imagination, and which make usfeel the inadequacy of words to do justice to what we feel. (Hear,Hear) We cannot say more at this moment than to give a necessarilyimperfect impression to our sense of admiration that the besttraditions of the sea seem to have been observed. (Cheers) in thewilling sacrifices which were offered
Togive the first chance of safety to those who were least able to helpthemselves (Renewed Cheers) and to the warm and heartfelt sympathyof the whole nation with those who find themselves suddenly bereft oftheir nearest and their dearest in their desolated homes. (Sympatheticcheers).
MrBottomley (L, Hackney E.) - I desire to ask the President of the Boardof Trade whether he will consider the importance of framing aregulation preventing British passenger ships to New York during thelate winter and early spring for adopting the Northern Atlantic routefor the purpose of breaking records amongst the loviathan liners, andwhether he will state what proportion of lifeboat accommodation theTitanic bore to the number of passengers and crew.
The President of the Board of Trade (Mr Buxton) asked for notice of the questions.
Comment and discuss