Laura Cribb's New York Evening Journal Account

Laura May Cribb

Third-class passenger

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My father and I were travelling third class in order to save as much money as possible so that he would have sufficient means to go into business when we reached this country. However, we were very comfortable. The first few days of the voyage were glorious, and we made many friends among the passengers who were coming to this country to start their lives new in what my father had always termed the Land of Promise. He was a highly educated man, and for years he had been desirous of coming to America, but it was only a month ago that we decided to leave our home in Dorset.

I was in my berth early Sunday night and was thrown violently to the floor by the impact of the boat when it struck the iceberg. It was then about 11:30 o'clock, and for a moment I was so stunned that I was unable to imagine what had occurred until I heard one of the officers of the ship shouting that the boat had struck an iceberg. He gave hurried instructions that we should dress, and go up on the second deck.

Ah, the courage and bravery of those officers was glorious to see. They seemed to be everywhere at once, shouting instructions, giving advice, quieting those who were terrified and lending aid and assistance to those who were too frightened to help themselves.

Why, I saw one officer who stood on the second deck with his revolver in his hand and threatened to shoot any man who attempted to enter a boat before every woman was cared for.

And he shot three.

It would have been a horrible sight at any other time, but in that hour of chaos and excitement I don't think there was a single person who didn't, inwardly at least, glory in his deed.

Shortly after we left the third deck we were lowered in a lifeboat, all women and children except six members of the crew, and we pushed away far enough to be out of the suction zone. We were so fascinated by the sights on the Titanic, however, that we could not keep our eyes off her until the last lights went out and the final notes of the band were drowned in the hiss and roar that came with the final plunge of the great ship as she sank bow first.

Each of us knew that with the sinking we had lost some dear one – my father went down with those other brave men who stuck to their posts and gave their lives that we women and children might be saved – but each of us was glad and proud, I think, to know that they were real men, the kind of men who are heroes.

We were in the boat for nearly four hours before we were picked up by the four sailing vessels from the Titanic, which had been lashed together for greater safety. It was then some time before we reached the Carpathia – I don't know how long, for I had become so benumbed by then that I was unable to correctly keep track. We saw the Carpathia for a great distance, but it seemed hours and hours before we reached her and were finally hauled over her side to safety.