EIGHT MEN THROWN OVERBOARD.
“Eight men in this boat were overcome, died and were thrown overboard. Two women were in this boat. One succumbed after a few hours and one was saved.
“The accident was entirely the result of carelessness and lack of necessary equipment. There were boats for only one-third of the passengers—there were no searchlights—the lifeboats were not supplied with food or safety appliances—there were no lanterns on the lifeboats—there was no way to raise sails, as we had no one who understood managing a sailboat.”
Mrs. Hogeboom explained that the new equipment of masts and sails in the boats was carefully wrapped and bound with twine. The men undertook to unfasten them, but found it necessary to cut the ropes. They had no knives, and in their frenzy they went about asking the ill-clad women if they had knives. The sails were never hoisted.
According to Richard Norris Williams, Jr., his father, C. Duane Williams, was killed, not drowned, in the Titanic wreck.
The son, who, with his father, was on his way to visit Richard Norris Williams, his uncle, 8124 St. Martin’s lane, Chestnut Hill, Pa., says his father was crushed to death by a falling funnel.
His account of the tragedy was given through Mrs. Alexander Williams, daughter-in-law of Richard Norris Williams.
“Richard told us,” she said, “that he and his father had been watching the Titanic’s lifeboats lowered and filled with women. The water was up to their waists and the ship was about at her last.
“Suddenly one of the great funnels fell. Richard sprang aside, trying to drag his father after him. But Mr. Williams was caught under the funnel. A moment later the funnel was swept overboard, and the decks were cleared of water. Mr. Williams, the father, had disappeared.