The Sinking of the Titanic, and Great Sea Disasters | Page 4

found in the history of

ancient civilizations. There is no authority for it among the heathen
races to-day. On a Chinese ship, if we may believe the report of an
official representative, the rule would have been "Men First, children
next, and women last."
There is certainly no argument against this barbaric rule on physical or
material grounds. On the average, a man is stronger than a woman, he
is worth more than a woman, he has a longer prospect of life than a
woman. There is no reason in all the range of physical and economic
science, no reason in all the philosophy of the Superman, why he
should give his place in the life-boat to a woman.
Where, then, does this rule which prevailed in the sinking Titanic come
from? It comes from God, through the faith of Jesus of Nazareth.
It is the ideal of self-sacrifice. It is the rule that "the strong ought to
bear the infirmities of those that are weak." It is the divine revelation
which is summed up in the words: "Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
It needs a tragic catastrophe like the wreck of the Titanic to bring out
the absolute contradiction between this ideal and all the counsels of
materialism and selfish expediency.
I do not say that the germ of this ideal may not be found in other
religions. I do not say that they are against it. I do not ask any man to
accept my theology (which grows shorter and simpler as I grow older),
unless his heart leads him to it. But this I say: The ideal that the
strength of the strong is given them to protect and save the weak, the
ideal which animates the rule of "Women and children first," is in
essential harmony with the spirit of Christ.
If what He said about our Father in Heaven is true, this ideal is
supremely reasonable. Otherwise it is hard to find arguments for it. The
tragedy of facts sets the question clearly before us. Think about it. Is
this ideal to survive and prevail in our civilization or not?
Without it, no doubt, we may have riches and power and dominion. But

what a world to live in!
Only through the belief that the strong are bound to protect and save
the weak because God wills it so, can we hope to keep self-sacrifice,
and love, and heroism, and all the things that make us glad to live and
not afraid to die.
HENRY VAN DYKE. PRINCETON, N. J., April 18, 1912.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
FIRST NEWS OF THE GREATEST MARINE DISASTER IN
HISTORY
"The Titanic in collision, but everybody safe"--Another triumph set
down to wireless telegraphy--The world goes to sleep peacefully--The
sad awakening
CHAPTER II
THE MOST SUMPTUOUS PALACE AFLOAT
Dimensions of the Titanic--Capacity--Provisions for the comfort and
entertainment of passengers--Mechanical equipment--The army of
attendants required
CHAPTER III
THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE TITANIC
Preparations for the voyage--Scenes of gayety--The boat sails--
Incidents of the voyage--A collision narrowly averted--The boat on
fire-- Warned of icebergs

CHAPTER IV
SOME OF THE NOTABLE PASSENGERS
Sketches of prominent men and women on board, including Major
Archibald Butt, John Jacob Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, Isidor Straus,
J. Bruce Ismay, Geo. D. Widener, Colonel Washington Roebling, 2d,
Charles M. Hays, W. T. Stead and others
CHAPTER V
THE TITANIC STRIKES AN ICEBERG!
Tardy attention to warning responsible for accident--The danger not
realized at first--An interrupted card game--Passengers joke among
themselves--The real truth dawns--Panic on board--Wireless calls for
help.
CHAPTER VI
"WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST"
Cool-headed officers and crew bring order out of chaos--Filling the
life-boats--Heartrending scenes as families are parted--Four life-boats
lost--Incidents of bravery--"The boats are all filled!"
CHAPTER VII
LEFT TO THEIR FATE
Coolness and heroism of those left to perish--Suicide of Murdock--
Captain Smith's end--The ship's band plays a noble hymn as the vessel
goes down.
CHAPTER VIII
THE CALL FOR HELP HEARD

The value of the wireless--Other ships alter their course--Rescuers on
the way.
CHAPTER IX
IN THE DRIFTING LIFE-BOATS
Sorrow and suffering--The survivors see the Titanic go down with their
loved ones on board--A night of agonizing suspense--Women help to
row--Help arrives--Picking up the life-boats.
CHAPTER X
ON BOARD THE CARPATHIA
Aid for the suffering and hysterical--Burying the dead--Vote of thanks
to Captain Rostron of the Carpathia--Identifying those saved--
Communicating with land--The passage to New York.
CHAPTER XI
PREPARATIONS ON LAND TO RECEIVE THE SUFFERERS
Police arrangements--Donations of money and supplies--Hospital and
ambulances made ready--Private houses thrown open--Waiting for the
Carpathia to arrive--The ship sighted!
CHAPTER XII
THE TRAGIC HOME-COMING
The Carpathia reaches New York--An intense and dramatic moment
--Hysterical reunions and crushing disappointments at the dock--Caring
for the sufferers--Final realization that all hope for others