But mere calculations, of which these men make so much, when unassisted
by imagination and when they have gained mastery over common sense, are
the most deceptive exercises of intellect. Two and two are four, and two
are six. That is immutable; you may trust your soul to that; but you
must be certain first of your quantities. I know how the strength of
materials can be calculated away, and also the evidence of one's senses.
For it is by some sort of calculation involving weights and levels that
the technicians responsible for the _Titanic_ persuaded themselves that a
ship _not divided_ by water-tight compartments could be "unsinkable."
Because, you know, she was not divided. You and I, and our little boys,
when we want to divide, say, a box, take care to procure a piece of wood
which will reach from the bottom to the lid. We know that if it does not
reach all the way up, the box will not be divided into two compartments.
It will be only partly divided. The _Titanic_ was only partly divided.
She was just sufficiently divided to drown some poor devils like rats in
a trap. It is probable that they would have perished in any case, but it
is a particularly horrible fate to die boxed up like this.
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