Notes

Abstract

THE Court of Inquiry into the loss of the Titanic was on May 22 occupied with a consideration of the warning's as to ice received by wireless telegraphy by the vessel before the disaster. From the evidence as reported in the Press, it would appear that during-the course of the Titanic's voyage six vessels communicated definite information as to the position of ice. Five of the warning's, it is reported, were received on the day of the wreck-the last some two hours before the collision with the iceberg. As to whether all the messages were communicated to the captain and officers there would seem to be doubt, and, in view of the death of the chief telegraphic operator, this may never be known. The court will, however, report on such matters. The only bright point in this sorrowful subject relates to the services rendered by science through wireless telegraphy. By it were the warnings given, and when these were disregarded, with terrible consequences, the call for help which went vibrating through the aether brought rescue to the survivors in the boats. No patrol system could have given more particulars of the positions of the ice than is contained in the advices communicated by various vessels, and no method which may be devised of detecting ice at a distance can prevent disaster if its predictions have to be neglected on account of the exigencies of rapid transit. After everything has been done by science to avoid calamity, there is still need for care and foresight in making full use of the warnings offered.