Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-20
THE SENATE INQUIRY.

New York, April 19.-The story of
how the Titanic met it's fate was told,
today, to the United States Senate
investigating committee into the IL
tanic disaster, by j. Bruce Ismay,
managing director of the White Star
Line.
The details Of the story were drawn
out by Senator William Alden Smith,
chairman of the special sub-commit-
tee charged with the examination of
witnesses and Senator Newlands, the
other senator who came to New York
to conduct the inquiry.
Mr. Ismay was accompanied by P.
A S. Franklin, vice president, and
Emerson T.. ParviI, secretary of the
International Mercantile Marine Be-
sides the committee. Rep. Hughes of
West Virginia, whose daughter. Mrs.
Iucien p. Smith, was saved and
and whose son-in-law was lost, was
present. Another spectator was Tru-
man II. Newberry, former assistant
secretary of the navy
When asked the circumstances url-
der which he left the boat. Mr. Is
may replied almost in a whisper.
"One of the boats was being filled,
Officers called out to know IL there
We're any more women to go. There
were none. No passengers were on
the deck. AS the boat was being low
cred | got into it,
Adjusting his cuffs, Mr.. Ismay was
visibly nervous when he took the
stand. He gave his age as so years.
In response to few formal ques-
tions. he said he sailed as a volun-
L..
Senator Smith began to ask the wit
ness to detail his experience on the
Titanic. Mr.. Ismay interrupted but
Senator Smith continued Then Mr..
Ismay said he desired to express his
sincere grief at the catastrophe and
to welcome the fullest inquiry.
Kindly tell the committee all the
circumstances surrounding your voy-
age" said Senator Smith.
First / wish TO say that I court
the fullest inquiry said Mr.. Ismay
This awful catastrophe, must say
ut the outset, I greatly deplore. We
have nothing to conceal, nothing to
hide
THE boat left Belfast, 1 think, on
the first of April. She underwent her
trials safely, and arrived at South
ampton,. on "Wednesday, April 3, I
think. She sailed on Wednesday,
April 10, leaving Southampton at IL
o'clock noon. That evening the IT,
tanic reached Cherhourg. having run
at about 6S revolutions. We arrived
at Queenstown. Thursday noon. The
Titanic was then running at 20 revo-
buttons. The first day, I think, we
l..
we increased the speed to " revolu-
lions and l think we ran 5l9 miles.
The next day we increased to rs rev.
olutions, and ran about SAG TO $40
miles.
"The accident took place on Sun
day night. The exact time, / do not
know. because | was asleep. The ship
sank. I am told, at 2.30.
Il understand you have been told
that the Titanic was running at full
speed" 1T never had run at full speed.
She was built to so so revolutions and
never had been sped up to that. We
never had Sill her boilers working. 1t
was our intention to speed the boat
up to her fun quota, Tuesday, but the
catastrophe came to prevent it,
Although he came on a voluntary
trip" Mr.. Ismay said his purpose was
to see how the ship worked and in
what manner she could be improved
upon. A representative of the builder.
Mr., Andrew, was on board. Mr. Isrnay
SAID.
s.Did he survive?" asked Mr.. Smith.
Unfortunately. no.
Mr.. Ismay said 1t was arranged be-
tween. him and Captain Smith of the
Continued on Page Seven)