4 VVlLDE, Search-Lights and the ''Titanic'' Disaster. 



similar import to those published in " The Manchester 

 Guardian " of the 8th and 19th of August. 



With the urgent necessity for restoring the confidence 

 of the public in North Atlantic routes, "The Times" have 

 been asked to state that the Canadian Northern Atlantic 

 mail steamers, " Ro}'al George " and " Royal Edward," are 

 being fitted with powerful search-lights with a range in 

 ordinarj' circumstances of about two miles ; also an 

 improved wireless telegraph service, {v. Addendum.) 



Dealing now with the Reports of the British official 

 inquiry into the loss of the " Titanic " and of the Merchant 

 Shipping Advisory Comm.ittee on life-saving appliances 

 and safety of life at sea. (Cd. 6353) July 24th. 



The Report on the loss of the " Titanic," which 

 extends over 74 pages, is remarkable for its brevity 

 respecting search-lights, and consists of five lines only, 

 queried as follows : — " Should search-lights have been 

 provided and used? Anszver : No, but search-lights may 

 at times be of service. The evidence before the Court 

 does not allow of a more precise answer." 



The Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory 

 Committee of the Board of Trade (175 pages) contains a 

 large amount of valuable statistical information relating 

 to casualties to British ships during the last twenty years 

 in various parts of the world. Of the vessels totally lost, 

 13 were through striking ice whilst on voyages between 

 European ports and the east coast of the United States, 

 Canada and Newfoundland. In addition to the above 

 casualties there were, during the same twenty years, 

 reported as missing forty-eight vessels registered in the 

 United Kingdom whilst on voyages between the above- 

 named places, with the total loss of 1,083 lives (pp. 59, 



