Hugh Woolner's New York Tribune Account

Hugh Woolner

First-class passenger

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After reaching his hotel, the Wolcott, Hugh Woolner, son of Thomas Woolner, a Scotch sculptor, had to take to his bed. Through a friend, Edward S. de LeGundo, he told his story.

"After the crash," Mr. Woolner said, "I ran on to the top deck. I saw Isidor Straus near me. He was urged to get into a boat almost filled with women. He refused, saying: 'The women first.' His wife then threw her arms about his neck.

"There wre two shots that I heard fired by the officers, but only to maintain order. It is absurd to think that Captain Smith committed suicide.

"When the last boat was being lowered I jumped into it. When the boat struck the water a sailor and myself grabbed the oars and pulled away from the Titanic. We saw a man whom I recognized as a member of the Swedish diplomatic corps floundering in the water. We pulled him in. A few feet away we saw a fat man floating, and him we also rescued.

"The boat was then almost flush with the water. I looked toward the vessel and saw Captain Smith assisting a little girl on a raft. The next I knew the Titanic had plunged to the bottom.

"There were moans and groans and cries from where she sank for what seemed several minutes. Then all was quiet. Two hours or so later, when the Carpathia arrived, there was nothing to indicate where the Titanic went down."