“Soon after the crash,” said Mr. Joyce, “I was told that about a dozen stokers came scrambling to the upper decks. They were whispering excitedly and edging their way cautiously toward one of the lifeboats. Suddenly and without consulting any of the officers of the ship they climbed into the lifeboat and were off before any others of the crew were the wiser.”
George Biorden, of California, had this to say:
“I was beside Henry B. Harris, the theatrical manager, when he bade his wife good-bye. Both started toward the side of the boat where a lifeboat was being lowered.
“Mr. Harris was told it was the rule for women to leave the boat first. ‘Yes, I know, I will stay,’ Harris said. Shortly after the lifeboats left a man jumped overboard. Other men followed. It was like sheep following a leader.
“Captain Smith was washed from the bridge into the ocean. He swam to where a baby was drowning and carried it in his arms while he swam to a lifeboat, which was manned by officers of the Titanic. He surrendered the baby to them and swam back to the steamer.
“About the time Captain Smith got back there was an explosion. The entire ship trembled. I had secured a life preserver and jumped over. I struck a piece of ice but was not injured.
“I swam about sixty yards from the steamer when there was a series of explosions. I looked back and saw the Titanic go down, bow first. Hundreds of persons were in the water at the time. When the great steamer went down they shrieked hysterically.”
MRS. PAUL SCHABERT’S STORY.
Mrs. Paul Schabert, of Derby, Conn., said:
“I was in stateroom No. 28, on the port side and was asleep at the time of the collision. The shock awoke me, but there seemed no excitement and people were walking about in orderly fashion, many stateroom doors being opened simply to permit inquiries as to the cause of the shock.