The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-20
FIRST SESSION OF
 TITANIC PROBE IS
 HELD BY COMMITTEE
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  structed so that with any two of the larger compartments in the ship full of water she still would float. If the ship had struck head on, she would in all nat ural probability be afioat now" he added. i 'Did you attempt to interfere with the working of the wireless on the Car pathia, he was asked
 'Jhe captain probably ordered some cen- sorship. The captain can tell you that I was not cut of my room until 1 got out before the wreck, said witness.
 MT. Ismay was asked what he wore. "A pSir of slippers, a pair of pajamas.
 Rostron on Stand as aafsa Captain Rostron of the Carpathia fol- lowed MT. Ismay
 .'We backed out of the dock Thursday began Rostron. Up to Sunday midnight we had fine, clear weather. At 1235 Mon day morning I was informed of the ur- gent distress. signal from the Titanic. "I gave the order,'' he said, ito turn about as soon as the Titanic gave her position. I sent out linemen to pick up the Titanic's signals. l told the engi- neer to. put on another extra force of stokers and to make all speed. I told the
 
 be ready for any emergency. The chief steward and doctors of the Csrpathia l also instructed"
 Arriving on the scene Captain Rostron testified he saw icebergs straight ahead. and, stopping at a. m. 10 minutes later he picked up the first life boat. By the time I got the boat aboard day was breaking said the captain. Tn a radius of four miles I saw all the other life boats. On all sides of us were icebergs; some 20 were 200 feet high. Wreckage was strewn about us. At S.3o o'clocksan the survivors were on us. Tears f1ling his eyes Captain Ros- tron said he called the purser. T told him I wanted to hold a service of pray CT; thanksgiving for the living and a funeral service for the dead. clergy man was found. He conducted the services"
 After the prayers were said the cap- tain testified he was on the bridge searching for survivors. AS he searched the sea one body fioated by. The captain said he saw the body. The body was not picked up. he said.
 Three Died in Boat Three members of the Titanic's crew died in the life boat. They were buried at sea- Captain Rostron said he found one small boat in the wreckage. The life boats were all new because of the British regulations, he added. The Car pathia cruised around the scene for half an hour after the Titanic sank. "After the last message swas sent" said the captain. we found our engine room filled with water. I told the Titanic we were coming. It was 5:3o o'clock when l sent the last word"
 The Titanic was on her regular course" said the witness. She was on 4fs. ..~1.r tr poha rcrci Do you think the route is safe onef'
 Quite so, but this is notable excep- tion."
 Would you regard the course taken by the Titanic trial trip as appropriate and correct at this date of year?" Senator Smith asked.
 Yes"
 'What would be reasonable speed for ships. of that size and in that course?" "I did not know the ship" the captain said, and therefore cannot tell. I had seen no ice before the Titanic signalled us. but I knew from her message that there was ice to be encountered. But the carpathia went full speed ahead had additional officers on watch, and some others volunteered to watch ahead throughout the trip
 Had Twenty Lifeboats
 The captain said the boat had 20 life boats 5
 ,"Wouldn't that indicate the regulations are out of date or obsolete, being much smaller than she should have had?' asked MT. Smith.
 No; the Titanic was supposed to be a lifeboat herself" =
 .You say captain is in absolute com mand?" asked Mir. Smith.
 .Yes, by law that is the rule Captain Restron replied.
 But suppose we get orders from the owners of our ship to do a certain thing s' he continued. If we do not execute or ders We are likely to be dismissed. When I turned back for New York with the thing in mind I obeyed certain kind of law I then immediately proceeded on impulse 1 received no orders to change my course.''
 Captain Rostron said he should have gone on to Halifax under direct orders. He said he never knew of managing director of one line giving instructions to the commander of another lines ship when he happened to be aboard. At Representative Hughes suggestion