The severe shortage of Titanic lifeboats was a dire choice that caused an unnecessary loss of life
Apart from the themes of sadness and loss after the disaster, one recurring motif in many of the editorial cartoons during the days and weeks that followed the disaster of April 14, 1912, was the artists’ commentary on the absurdity of the situation.
The Titanic was one of the most luxurious, well-appointed cruise liners ever, with seemingly no expense spared… except when it came to passenger safety in the event of an emergency — and that is a choice that has never been forgotten, or forgiven.
One Titanic casualty foresaw the Titanic lifeboats tragedy
Emil Taussig, president of the West Disinfecting Company of New York, who lost his life on the Titanic, made persistent endeavors while alive to get the United States steamship inspection service to enforce regulations that would compel steamships to carry enough boats to give every person on board a seat in case of an accident.
Letters written by Mr. Taussig to the officials of this service at Washington give evidence that he foresaw with remarkable clearness the possibility of just such a disaster as the one which cost his life. Those letters were written in 1908 and 1909 and are in part as follows:
“It will certainly be calamitous if, at the next disaster which may occur, any of the passengers have lost their lives, simply because there were not lifeboats enough for them to get into. That is a responsibility that nobody would be willing to shoulder.
“In lieu of all these matters brought before you. and your experience in the service. is the board willing to take the responsibility that in case of an accident to a vessel a large number of people lose their lives due to the fact that there were lifeboats carried by the ship to save only a small portion of the passengers?
“Do you want to take the responsibility in view of the added facilities in the direction of entrusting steamships to carry a sufficient number of lifeboats to enable anyone to say these people lost their lives owing to the fact that the board of steamship supervising inspectors did not prescribe or compel steamships to carry more boats?
“Just as sure as you are living and just as sure as there is a sun above us this thing will come to pass sooner or later, unless the rules are amended compelling steamships to carry more boats.”
Syndicated article, as published in The Citizen (Honesdale, Pennsylvania) on May 1, 1912
Titanic cartoon: “The Whited Sepulchre”
Caption: “Luxuries of the sea: Swimming pool, tennis courts, elevators, Palm room, gymnasium, grill room, but FEW LIFE BOATS.”
From The Montgomery Times, Alabama
Titanic lifeboats: Everything for enjoying life, but not much to save it.
From the Detroit News
Titanic cartoon: “Wireless Anarchy”
From the New York World
Titanic lifeboats and government regulations: Time to get busy
Uncle Sam: “By Ginger, I’ll take a firmer grip on this business hereafter,” turning a ship wheel with “Navigation laws” written on it, while a “Steamship magnate” looks on.
From the St Louis Republic
Titanic cartoon: Waiting
From the Detroit News
MORE: Saved from the Titanic: A woman’s story (1912)
The Refuge
From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Untitled
Book: “The Lost: John Jacob Astor, Henry B. Harris, [Major] Archibald Butt, Washington Roebling, Benj. Guggenheim, J.G. Widener, [Charles] M. Hays, W.T Stead, F.D Millet, Isidor Straus, Cart E.J. Smith. The Saved: J. Bruce Ismay.”
Cast in shadow
Paper: “Titanic Disaster, Final Report”
Globe: “The World”
From the Des Moines Register and Leader
Titanic cartoon on chivalry: Grieve not, the spirit of Manhood still lives
Woman: “Chivalry”
Paper: “Roll of Honor – ‘Women and children first'”, “First Cabin – Second Cabin – Third cabin – Steerage”, “Lost – 1,310”
From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Titanic lifeboats: Untitled
Cuff: “U.S”
Pen: “Legislation”
Poster: “Modern Ocean Liner Equipment | Golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, grand dining saloons, electric elevators, gymnasium, Turkish baths, Verandah cases, glass site baroors, electric baths, squash racquet court”, (overlayed) “More life-saving boats”.
Desk: Paper reads “Titanic” – Desk reads “Steamship Company”
From the Cincinnati Post
Titanic lifeboats: The tragedy of the Titanic
Hand: “Fate”
Lever: 1,300 lives
Book: “International requirements governing life-boat equipment”
From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Nearer, my God, to thee
From Toledo News-Bee
Titanic lifeboats: Gettin’ the lesson
Uncle Sam: “It works out just the same every time!!”
Pants: “U.S.”
Chalkboard: “2,500 passengers – 890 crew = 3,390 total capacity”, “Lifeboats = 20 | Capacity of each – 60 persons / 20 = 1200 total”, “3,390 – 1200 = 2,190 remain”.
From the Indianapolis News
Lest we forget
Banner: “In memory of the brave men who died that so the women may live”
From the Indianapolis Star
The eternal collision
Iceberg: “Fact”
Ship: “Theory”
Titanic safety: “Untitled”
Poster: “Luxury, Elegance, Speed, Grandeur, Magnitude”
Sign: “Safety”
Woman: “Humanity”
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
The guardian angel of the sea pays tribute to the martyred heroes
Caption: “Toll for the brave! – The brave that are no more! All sunk beneath the wave, fast by their native shore. – Cowper”
Wreaths: “He was a man”, “Bravery”, “Women and children first”, “Hero Col. Astor”, “Hero”, “Henry B. Harris – Hero”, “Hero Major Butt”, “The Marine Band”, “Heroes” (2), “Sailors”, “Self-sacrifice”
Wreck of the Titanic
Ghostly figure: “Spirit of Heroism”, “Women and Children First!”
Boat: “Titanic”
From the Cincinnati Post
Titanic lifeboats in a word: Inadequate
Drowning person pointing to the caption: “[Life saving appliances] were inadequate”
From the Columbus Evening Dispatch
“Untitled”
Caption: “Fireproof”, “Non-sinkable”
From the Columbus Evening Dispatch
Titanic lifeboats: “Economy!”
Caption: “Steamship agent — The Brobdingnagian has gymnasium, natatorium, playgrounds, elevators, etc. etc.
“Prospective travelers — How about seats in the lifeboats?
“Steamship agent — Ah, that’s different. We can’t afford the space or the weight.”
From The New York Mail
Editorial Titanic cartoon: “A sacrifice to carelessness and greed”
Poseidon with the Titanic speared by his trident
From The Montgomery Times, Alabama
Titanic cartoon memorial: “Nothing we can call our own but death”
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania
“Truth lies at the bottom of the sea, and Dead men tell no tales”
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania
Titanic cartoon memorial: “To the heroes of the Titanic”
Caption: “Greater love hath no man than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends.”
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania
“Nature’s tribute”
Illustration: Ice floes, including one shaped like a weeping woman looking down into the dark ocean depths.
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania
