Final answer:
The claim that 'There were gates stopping third class passengers from entering the lifeboats' is generally true when referencing historic maritime disasters. Though not always explicitly designed to restrict access to lifeboats, physical barriers often separated passengers by class and could impede third class passengers' access to safety during emergencies. Historical events like the sinking of the Titanic saw higher fatality rates among lower-class passengers, possibly due to such barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'There were gates stopping third class passengers from entering the lifeboats' refers to events that took place on ocean liners during emergencies. When examining historical accounts, such as the sinking of the Titanic, there have been allegations that physical barriers or gates did prevent third class or steerage passengers from readily accessing lifeboats. This was particularly relevant during maritime disasters where a swift evacuation was necessary.
In terms of maritime safety and the organization of ship layouts, different classes of passengers were often separated by physical partitions, which could have impeded the movements of those in the lower classes during emergencies. However, these barriers were not always 'gates' explicitly meant to stop third class passengers from using lifeboats. In some instances, the crew might have opened these barriers to allow access, but systemic bias and chaotic conditions often resulted in higher casualty rates among third class passengers.
Direct evidence from historical shipwrecks or maritime disasters would be the most reliable source to confirm the presence of such gates. In incidents like those aboard the S.S. St. Louis and others, the dynamics of social class did impact the likelihood of survival in emergencies. Therefore, while the statement in question might generally hold some truth historically, it's essential to assess each incident on a case-by-case basis to determine the actual presence and impact of gates or barriers.