Inevitable Accident or Wrongful Act: Judging the Titanic Disaster
Weighing the Evidence
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
On its maiden voyage in April 1912, the RMS Titanic with its 2200 passengers struck an iceberg and sank in less than 3 hours. Only 706 survived. Following the sinking, the owners of the Titanic filed a petition to limit their liability against any claims for loss of life, property and injury. Unless survivors and the families of victims could prove that the crew and the owners had caused the disaster through wrongful acts, fault or negligence, they could be entitled to no restitution.Analyze the evidence provided as a part of this case and decide whether the Titanic disaster was an inevitable accident or caused by the crew and owners of the White Star Line.
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Worksheet
Inevitable Accident or Wrongful Act: Judging the Titanic Disaster
Weighing the Evidence
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Consider how each document does or does not support two opposing interpretations or conclusions. Fill in the topic or interpretations if they are not provided. To show how the documents support the different interpretations, enter the corresponding document number into the boxes near the interpretation. Write your conclusion response in the space provided. Interpretation 1
The Titanic disaster was an inevitable accident that could not have been prevented or minimized.
The Titanic disaster was an inevitable accident that could not have been prevented or minimized.
The Titanic Disaster
Interpretation 2
The Titanic disaster was caused by the wrongful acts, fault and negligence of its crew and owners.
The Titanic disaster was caused by the wrongful acts, fault and negligence of its crew and owners.
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Activity Element
Photograph of a Lifeboat Carrying Titanic Survivors
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Daily Memorandum from the Hydrographic Office Reporting Titanic Disaster
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List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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4
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Conclusion
Inevitable Accident or Wrongful Act: Judging the Titanic Disaster
Weighing the Evidence
Based on the evidence provided:- Do you think that the sinking of the Titanic was an inevitable accident or the result of the wrongful acts, fault and negligence of its crew and owners?
- What individual piece of evidence did you find most persuasive? Why?
Your Response
Document
Photograph of a Lifeboat Carrying Titanic Survivors
4/15/1912
After colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean, R.M.S. Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. The Titanic only had enough lifeboats to carry 1,178 of the 2,225 passengers and crew to safety. Here, a group of men and women, some of the 705 survivors, float to safety aboard a lifeboat.
This photograph comes from the “In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC” case that began after the sinking of the Titanic. This case was initiated to limit the liability of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., for loss of life and property resulting from the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage. The case file contains court papers, evidence, and claims of survivors and representatives of the deceased.
This photograph comes from the “In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC” case that began after the sinking of the Titanic. This case was initiated to limit the liability of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., for loss of life and property resulting from the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage. The case file contains court papers, evidence, and claims of survivors and representatives of the deceased.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 278337
Full Citation: Photograph of a Lifeboat Carrying Titanic Survivors; 4/15/1912; A55-279 A55-279 A55-279 A55-279; In the Matter of the Petition of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for Limitation of its Liability as owner of the steamship TITANIC; Admiralty Case Files, 1790 - 1966; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at New York, New York, NY. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/lifeboat-carrying-titanic-survivors, April 18, 2024]Photograph of a Lifeboat Carrying Titanic Survivors
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Document
Daily Memorandum from the Hydrographic Office Reporting Titanic Disaster
4/15/1912
This United States Hydrographic Office memorandum summarizes conditions in the North Atlantic for the first half of April 1912. Paragraph five records the Titanic’s collision with an iceberg on April 14.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 595107
Full Citation: Daily Memorandum from the Hydrographic Office Reporting Titanic Disaster; 4/15/1912; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/daily-memorandum-from-the-hydrographic-office-reporting-titanic-disaster, April 18, 2024]Daily Memorandum from the Hydrographic Office Reporting Titanic Disaster
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Document
List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
6/18/1912
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 300348
Full Citation: List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA; 6/18/1912; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/list-or-manifest-of-alien-passengers-for-the-united-states-immigration-officer-at-port-of-arrival-rms-carpathia, April 18, 2024]List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival, R.M.S. CARPATHIA
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Document
Examination of Alfred Shiers
10/31/1913
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212857
Full Citation: Examination of Alfred Shiers; 10/31/1913; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/examination-of-alfred-shiers, April 18, 2024]Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Examination of Alfred Shiers
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Document
Deposition of Edward Wilding
5/13/1914 - 5/14/1914
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212853
Full Citation: Deposition of Edward Wilding; 5/13/1914 - 5/14/1914; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-edward-wilding, April 18, 2024]Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Deposition of Edward Wilding
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Document
Deposition of George Rheims
11/14/1913
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212861
Full Citation: Deposition of George Rheims; 11/14/1913; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-george-rheims, April 18, 2024]Deposition of George Rheims
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Deposition of George Rheims
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Document
Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
4/6/1914
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212858
Full Citation: Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay; 4/6/1914; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/evidence-of-mr-joseph-bruce-ismay, April 18, 2024]Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Document
Deposition of William T. Turner
4/30/1915
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212859
Full Citation: Deposition of William T. Turner; 4/30/1915; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-william-t-turner, April 18, 2024]Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of William T. Turner
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
10/27/1913
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212860
Full Citation: Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines; 10/27/1913; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-mrs-elizabeth-l-lines, April 18, 2024]Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Deposition of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lines
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Document
Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
4/6/1914
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212858
Full Citation: Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay; 4/6/1914; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/evidence-of-mr-joseph-bruce-ismay, April 18, 2024]Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Evidence of Mr. Joseph Bruce Ismay
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Document
Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
4/3/1914
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212855
Full Citation: Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle; 4/3/1914; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/evidence-of-the-right-honorable-montgomery-alexander-carlisle, April 18, 2024]Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Evidence of the Right Honorable Montgomery Alexander Carlisle
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Document
Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
6/11/1914
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212863
Full Citation: Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus; 6/11/1914; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-henry-l-ballantine-and-augustine-b-mcmanus, April 18, 2024]Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Henry L. Ballantine and Augustine B. McManus
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
6/6/1913
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 6212862
Full Citation: Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen; 6/6/1913; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/deposition-of-emily-ryerson-and-grace-bowen, April 18, 2024]Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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Deposition of Emily Ryerson and Grace Bowen
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