The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-04-27
CAPT. LORD DENIES
HE IGNORED C. @. D.
RUSHED CALIFORNIAN
TO AID OF TITANIC
Admits He Was Delayed by Ice.
But Denies Sensational Story
of Sailor.
Tells Senators of Another Mys-
terious Ship That Was Near
the Disaster.

WASHINGTON. April 26.-April &c.
-Ablaze with light from her saloons
and cabins. the Titanic dashed full
spead ahead TO her destruction. ac-
cording to Ernest GIL. n donkey en-
gineman on the steamship California.
who testified to-day before the senate
committee Investigating the disaster.
He said that Captain Stanley Lord OF
the California refused later to go 10
the aid OF the Titanic, the rockets from
which could be plainly seen This
Captain Lord denied. but both he and
his wireless operator acknowledged TO
having seen rockets. Their ship, they
said. was fast In the fee.
Gill submitted an affidavit to the
committee. and when sworn and put
on the stand stuck to his charges
against the captain of the Californian.
He said he was standing on the deck
late Sunday night, when he sighted n
great ship sweeping along at top
speed about ten miles on. He did not
know IL was the Titanic, but he saw
readily that Il was not a freighter or
small vessel from the manner in
which It was illuminated.
Saw Distress Rockets.
Some time later he saw distress
| rockets on the horizon. He says the
captain was apprised OF these signals.
but made no effort to get up steam
and go to the rescue. The Californian
was drifting with the foe. So indig-
nant did he become. said Gill. that he
endeavored TO recruit a committee of
protest from among the crew, but the
men failed him.
Captain Lord entered a sweeping de-
NAL OF Gill's accusation. and read from
the Californian's log to support his
contention. Cyril Evans, the Califor-
mans wireless operator. however.
told OF hearing much talk among the
crew, who were criticising the cap
tain's course. Gill, he said. told him
he expected 10 get $500 for his story
when the ship reached Boston.
Evans told OF having warned the Tt
tanic only a brief time before the
great vessel crashed into the berg
that the sea was crowded with ice.
The Titanic's operators. he said, at
the time were working with the wire
less station at Cape Race. and they
told him 10 shut OF" and keep out.
In a half hour the pride OF the sea
was crumpled and sinking.
Law over Wireless Men.
II developed to-day that one reform
that is certain TO spring from the
present investigation will be enforced
in the wireless rooms OF ships enter
ing or leaving American ports. This
concerns lack OF authority over the
operators. pay. hours and freedom
from responsibility. as brought out By
the testimony 10 date. Senator Smith.
Is chairman. announced publicly To-
day that such legislation was inevit-
able
When Captain Lord took the stand
he said he had followed the sea for
20 years. He had brought the log
OF the Californian with him from
Boston and read from the record. The
entries included several references 10
icebergs.
Did sou try to get into oommuni-
cation with the Titanic on Sunday
night?" asked Senator Smith.
Yes sir. about 1918 that night.
ships time. We told him we were
surrounded by ice and had stopped"
Did the Titanic acknowledge that
message?"
Yes. sir. II told us 10 shut up or
keep out or something like that.
Did you have further oOmmuni-
cation with the Titanic that evening""
Not az all"
Did the Titanic have further com
munication with your"
Not at all"
How far we're the Californian and
the Titanic apart when you sent your
message 10 the Titanic. telling her
you we're blocked IN the ice?"
Only 70 Miles Apart
Prom the position We had % the
Titanic. We were about ieih miles
apart
Did the Californian receiving the
THAMES &. q %. Calir-
CCsutnusa on airth ParsD