Leap of 75 Feet

A fireman named Walter Hurst, of Southampton, said he was off watch at the time, and made his way to the boat deck. He was, of course, told to stand back and about five minutes before the liner sank he jumped the 75 feet to the sea, having a lifebelt on. He was in the water no less than three hours, and was not picked up until daylight. He could not have lasted much longer. He was numbed to the hips, and still felt the effects of it. On duty in the engine-room and stokehold were ten engineers, five leading firemen, ten greasers, 25 trimmers, and 53 firemen. Of these all but six were drowned. “My mates,” he said, “received orders to remain below and rake out the fires to prevent explosions. They obeyed them at the sacrifice of their lives.”