The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-24

tests. l was in charge of overhauling
the starboard life boats, seeing that
they were supplied with oars, rigging,
was absolutely correct except that
one dipper was missing | personally
examined every life boat and collapse
BILE on the starboard side. There were
compasses and lights supplied with
oil enough to burn for eight hours. On
the 9Ith, we went over the entire ship
noting all of the equipment and It's
condition %
The Titanic's trial tests were to
have been made on Monday, April !,
Lowe said, but were postponed until
the following day because of squally
weather. The witness was of the opin-
ion that the Titanic could have done
easily "a or % knots an hour had she
been put under forced draft. Her
greatest speed during the trial tests,
however, was 20fa to II knots. None
of the officers or directors of the
White Star line was aboard during
the trial tests except Ismay and Mr..
Andrews, one of the builders of the
Titanic, who later sank with the yes.
sci he helped design
When Senator Smith asked what an
iceberg was composed OF, everyone
! laughed and the chairman lectured
the audience against demonstrations
OF any kind. The senator then ques-
toned Lowe about the temperature
when the Titanic sailed.
ut was about forty-eight degrees"
the witness answered.
DO you mean forty-eight above or
below" the senator queried.
Above" answered Lowe. evidently
irritated by the tedious questioning :.
Lowe worked out the position of the
Titanic at eight o'clock on the eve
/ ming of the disaster and then went on
duty. He could not recall her position
at that time, although Smith urged
him to think hard"
Frequent tits between Smith and
Lowe enlivened the proceedings. The
Briton often misunderstood Smiths
involved questions. Lowe told OF the
trip to Southampton and the sailing
He described fire and life boat drills
before the departure.
Drills took place from the departure
until the time of the disaster" Lowe
testified.
Were the officers strangers to eacn
other?" asked Smith.
No sir most of them had worked
together before" Lowe answered
Saw Twenty Icebergs.
Lowe said he knew his ship was off
the grand banks on Sunday, althoug
he had never crossed the Atlantic
before. The witness said he saw
about twenty icebergs from the Car
pathia after his rescue.
They We're all around, in every
direction" said Lowe. Some we're in
the course that the Titanic had been
steaming. The largest was about 10C
!. feet high I"
Gould YOU tell in what direction
they were moving?" Smith asked.
No sir: they were three to five
J. miles away" the officer said.
Secretary of the Treasurer Mac
: Veagh and Mrs. Macyeagh were in
} terested listeners at the hearing to
day. They sat around the committees
table. There was hall dozen mem
bers of the diplomatic corps in the
audience.
The last time saw the captain was
( after the accident. Just before mid
nil hf >, T ;oJ
!, never awakened me-"
Lowe grew extremely angry wher
Smith asked him If he was a drinking
man
Il never took drink in my life,'
he asserted with heat.
Il have just had note passed W
to me saving you were drinking tina
, night" said Smith suavely.
who! me?" exclaimed Lowe, lean
Ing over in his chair, his face flush
, ing. Il never did I say it withou
fear of contradiction
The young officer said he went t,
: bed before 8 o'clock, before the col
, llsion and was awakened by hearin,
voices of many people on deck.
: II went out and found all the pas
} sengers wearing belts and the If
; boats getting ready" he continued
Il felt the boat tipping; she had
: down hill grade by the bow, an angl
, of about II to / 5 degrees by the head
! don't know what time that was.
Fourth Officer Boxhall told me W,
had struck an iceberg.
! got my revolver, you never knov
when YOU need it. Then ] helped LOAF
boat number s and lowered 1t away
II was under First Officer Muir
:, docks orders. He was in charge o
Y everything. About ten men helped me
5 Il ordered Mr.. lsmay away iron
I the boat. | was on the starboard side
4 "a steward on the Carpathia asked M
t If I knew what I'd said to Mr.. rs
e may. ! said ! used very strong Ian
guage to him.
l The occasion was because Mr.. Is
! may was overanxious and was gettin
] 4,,sFJ