Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-20


Of the larger compartments in the ship
full Of water II would still float.
III the ship had struck head-on II
would probably be afioat today" he
added.
-"Did any Of the collapsIble boats sink7"
mo, SIR"
"Did you attempt to interfere with the
working Of the wireless on the Car
pathia?' he was asked.
THE captain probably will tell you !
was not out OF my room from the time
got into II until last night" was the
reply.
"As a final question TO his examina-
tion, Mr.. Ismay was asked what he had
on when he got into the lifeboats.
"A pair Of slippers, pair OF pyjsmas,
suit Of clothes and an overcoat," he
replied.
Mr.. Ismay was asked TO hold himself
in readiness during the day for another
call before the committee. Senator Smith
announced IL was desired to hear the cap
tain Of the Carpathla In the meantime.
Captain of Carpathia Called.
Captain Rostron of the carpathis, fol-
lowed Mr.. Ismay He told Mr.. Smith
that he had been captain OF the Car
pathia since last January. but he had
been a seaman twenty-seven years.
what day did yeu last sail from New
York with the Carpathia?' asked SEN
ator Smith. ge Wv
april A." said Captain Rostron, bound
for Gibraltar" rF
"How many passengers did you haver
81 think 10 first class, 50 second class
and about 565 third class passengers"
sTell the committee all that happened
after you loft New York"
I'VE backed out of the dock at noon
Thursday. Up to Sunday midnight we had
fine. clear weather. At 12:S5 Monday
morning / was Informed OF the urgent
distress signal from the Titanic"
by whom?"
The Iifeboats of the Titanic, Captain
Rostron OF the carpathia testified, were
all new and In accordance with the Brit
ism regulations. He saw only one body
floating IN the ocean. The Carpathia
cruised about the scene Of the disaster
more than half an hour. having arrived
an hour and a half after the Titanic sank.
Last Message from Titanic.
''The last message from the Titanic"
said the captain, was Engine room
nearly full of water l answered that
was rushing to its aid. Expect to reach
your position about 40 o'clock, flashed
back
was the Titanic on its right course
when It first spoke your Senator Smith
asked.
Absolutely on its regular course bound
for New York." said the captain. 1T
was In what We cali the 'southerly' 10
avoid ieebergs."
do you think that the route is 4 prac-
teal one?'
quite so; but this is a notable excep'
ton"
Captain Rostron declined to say II Cap
tain Smith had warning enough anc
might have avoided the fee II he had
needed. .f
would you regard the course taken
By the Titanic in this trial trip as APP
propriate. safe and wise at this time Of
the year?' the senator continued.
quite So"
"What would be a safe, reasonable
speed for ship Of that size and In that
course7''
Il didn't know the ship" the captain
said, "and therefore cannot tell
Extra Men on Watch.
II had seen no ice before the Titanic
signalied us. but / know from its message
that there was ice to be encountered.
But the carpathis went fun speed ahead.
l had extra officers on watch and some
others volunteered to watch ahead
throughout the trip"
Captain Rostron said that the Carpa
thia has twenty lIfeboats Of its own, in
accordance with the British regulations
wouldn't that Indicate that the regu-
lations are out OF date. your ship being
much smaller than the Titanic. which
also carried twenty lfeboatsg' Senator
smith asked.
mo. the Titanic was supposed to be a
lifeboat ITSELF
You say that the captain Of q ship
has aesolute control ovef the movements
Of his vessel?'
Yes. by law that b the rule" Captain
Rostron answered
but suppose we get orders from the
owners Of our ship TO DO a certain thing
IL we do not execute that order We arc
liable to dismissal"
when L turned back for New York
with the rescued sent message to the
cunard line officers stating that l was
proceeding to New York unless otherwise
ordered. then Immediately proceeded.
received no order to change my course"
Captain Rostron then explained that IL
was for the sJed OF the shipwrecked peo-