The _Aquitania_ is a
magnificent ship. I believe she would bear her people unscathed through
ninety-nine per cent. of all possible accidents of the sea. But suppose
a collision out on the ocean involving damage as extensive as this one
was, and suppose then a gale of wind coming on. Even the _Aquitania_
would not be quite seaworthy, for she would not be manageable.
We have been accustoming ourselves to put our trust in material,
technical skill, invention, and scientific contrivances to such an extent
that we have come at last to believe that with these things we can
overcome the immortal gods themselves. Hence when a disaster like this
happens, there arises, besides the shock to our humane sentiments, a
feeling of irritation, such as the hon. gentleman at the head of the New
South Wales Government has discharged in a telegraphic flash upon the
world.
But it is no use being angry and trying to hang a threat of penal
servitude over the heads of the directors of shipping companies. You
can't get the better of the immortal gods by the mere power of material
contrivances. There will be neither scapegoats in this matter nor yet
penal servitude for anyone.
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