The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-24

1 day that an unknown ship was sighted about five miles from the Titanic long be- fore she sank to the bottom This was the first time anything had been told of the Flying Dutchman," which failed to catch the distress signals and steamed away. leaving the Titanic to her fate.
 Boxhall Is III When the investigation was resumed at 1006 o'clock this morning 1t was an nounced that MT. Boxhall, fourth officer of the Titanic, was ill and could not be heard further at this time. Owing to confusion caused by the rush of crowds to the hearing the Senate com mittee determined to exclude the general public. To accomplish this the hearing was transferred to a smaller room Only those witnesses interested in the inquiry and members of the Associated Press were admitted today. The change caused disappointment 10 thousands. most of them females. Hundreds around the office building clamored for admittance. The crowds lined the railways leading to the old caucus room early and the police had a
 task in keeping passage way to the door.
 Third Officer Pittman took the stand and told in detail his experiences of II years on the seas. Were you present during the trial tests of the Titanic?" asked Senator Smith. "Yes; I was on the bridge most of the time.'
 Witness said. the tests consisted of steaming in circles and in performing other evolutions and in adjusting conl- passes
 Were there any trials for speed2' he was asked. NO; I believe they have no such tests
 on the White Star Line service" Pitt
 man replied.
 g'n the comn1sttee the circunstarces of the departure from Southampton' No Trouble at Southampton We left Southampton 1215 D. m. ! Wednesday, April 10," he testified, and nothing exciting happened except break ing the moorngs of the New York, caused by the starting of our starboard propeller. We got clear and proceeded to Cher bourg"
 How long was the delay?" asked the chairman.
 Half an hour'' What was the weather condition"' Perfect" Was it good all the way to the place of the collision?" asked the chairman. "All the way and no heavy sea-"
 Was the sky filled with stars?"
 Every night and early morning"
 Asked to tell his duties when on watch Pittman said he worked out observa- tions, found deviatlons of the compass, generally supervised the work on the decks and was used as relieving the bridge officer. Was it part of your duties to drill the men, or go through practice with the men?'' asked Senator Smith,
 T merely gave them orders,9 Pittman replied.
 Only 16 Men in Boat Drill
 Witness said boat drills always were held ar Southampton and at Queenstown.
 The Titanics drill at Southampton he
 said consisted of lowering and lifting two boats
 Anything else done?" MT. Smith in i quired.
 No, the drill was to satisfy the Brit | ish board of trade: we lowered the boats, sailed around the harbor and returned
 to the ship with a Lioyds agent" he replied
 l Witness said 1t was customary aboard I to have fire drills every Sunday. In the Southampton water drill Pittman said
 that approximately eight men went in | each boat.
 l Then only 16 men participated in this drii?' suggested Senator smith.
 Yes"
 Was there any fire drill on the IT.
 tanic after she left southampton?' 1 No said Pittman Were you on the bridge Sunday or the day preceding?' asked the chairman Saturday from P noon to D. m.,' | replied witness.
 See any ice5ergs or freed ice9, None at all. sir
 Did VOL hear anything about a wire
 less message about ice?'' asked Mir Smith.
 eYes. did; either Saturday night n, Sunday morning when MT. BoxhalI put if on the chart" Did you talk with Boxhan or Mur- dock. or Lowe. regarding the proximity of the Titanic to iee2' No"
 Asked if he saw ice on sunday. Pitt man said he had not. The fact that the temperature was lower. he said would not indicate the presence of ice. PiMman declared that in all his nav l igatins career he had seen only one iceberA He said virtually the only way to discoGer the proximity of icebergs was to sae fhem. Senator smith sought to make him admit there was other indlcationsS Then volIN,.are convinced there is no other way of telling?s inquired the in- quisitor
 There Is no 6ther way witness re- piled. science may hold there are de- vious ways but they have never been demonstrated" Witness Describes Iceberg Witness describedf loO-foot iceberg in inc southern oceasn. Neither the tenn nerature of the seal nor the temper ature of the atmosphere was affect cd lhy the great mountain or Ice. Senator Smith asked Pittman if he knew temperature tests of the water were made every tw4 hours on the IT. l.anic's voyage from southhampton. "Yes, It was the cnstom.' Ut was more thanA custom. was 1t rot and was it not asn attempt to dis |co-er the nearness of iceg asked Mi. smith.
 Not that l know 2f' Pittman re- piled q
 Did you zee the gu arsermas'er test the water21 asked MrH. smith.
 NO" said Pittman
 You saM the fourth officer marked ~-~~~~~~~~~ srrur fH