The Washington times., 1912-05-23
CAPTAIN OF TITANIC
BEAMED FOR WRECK,
| EMAY ARRA|GNED
Details of Senate Commit
tees Report Leak Out Be-
i fore Its Presentation.

Following the announcement OF sena-
tor Smith of Michigan that he will
make the report on the Titanic investi-
cation to the Senate Monday. 1t is un-
officially given out that the document
will constitute sweeping and scathing
arraignment of the White Star line and
of J. Bruce Ismay, manager and d.
rector of the International Mercantile
Marine Company.
Senator Smith has been working on
the report for days and what he Will
have to say concerning the respon-
pubiic here and in England sit up and
take notice. He will demand legisla-
ton to prevent recurrence OF such
disaster and will insist on prompt ac-
Chairman Smith has labored almost
incessantly since the afternoon he was
dispatched to New York to meet tho
Carpathia and began gathering facts
FROM the instant of his arrival at tho
dock up to the completion of the report
and the speech he is to make on il,
tently and effectively.
The report spares neither ]. Bruce
Ismay nor his subordinates in New
York, whose juggling with the truth after
receiving from Montreal information
criticised.
fOlHllnR out tnat the speed OF the
Titanic just before she struck the Ice
berg was twenty-four and one-half
miles an hour, and that 1t had been
steadily increased after receiving ice
that the presence on board Of fsmay,
the managing director of the line, and
Andrews, the constructor for Harlan g.
Wolf, the builders. was undoubtedly an
Incentive for making this great speed.
1t is stated that Ismay, who got awaN
safely, was advised Immediately of the
danger, while many )t the passengers
were not, the impact, although equal
In momentum 70 tie impact of the com
bined broadsides cf tN enty great battle
ships, being scarCeiy felt on the vessel,
such was her giant size and enormous
stability.
The report recites that the pickup
crew with which the White Star line
manned the vessel were unacduainted
with one another and their duties.
There was the utmost confusion when
the vessel struck. ..
1t is noted that the weather was
clear and perfect, the sea Being calm,
with no swell-conditions that would
have been ideal for the saving of all
hands on board had there been but ade-
quate life-saving apparatus and ade-
Quate sailors to man them. But al
though there. was room in the lifeboats ITS
for lots persons, the report says but 704
persons were put into them owing to
the disorganized and disorderly condi-
ton of the crew.
CONCERNING tne nIeDOdts, IL Is IepOTt-
ed that none of them had compasses.
only three had lights. that all were in
sufficiently manned. and none of them
by sailors. The indifference of such
officers and warrant officers as did get
into the boats to the cries of distress
10 caustically- commented on. 9, /
In the general criticism Of the conduct
Of the crew and the insufficieHcy of the
Hfe4saying apparatus. comment is made
on thu statement of the lookouts that
bad they BEEN provided with marine
glasses they could have sighted the ice,
berg much earlier, and, in fact, could
have avoided the collision.
Going into the matter of tests OF
the vessel. matters which are rigor-
ously required in battleships, the re-
port emphasizes their utter lack.
The report gives the number OF pas
sengers on board at 1,34, members o
the crew, S99
There is praise for Phillips and Bride
the wireless operators. one of whom
Phillips, was rescued from the water
only to freeze to death while huddled
in boat.