The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1912-04-23
VIVID STORIES
TOLD OF HOW
GREAT SHIP
SANK
(By United Press Leased wire.)

w WAOf1lNGIo1>,b -. VI, Apih 80
Sworn testimony that neglect
on the part of the White Star
company to provide marine
glasses for the lookout on the
Titanic was responsible for the
greatest. sea disaster of modern
times was the sensation this af-
ternoon of the inestigation.
Frederick Fleet, who was look
out in the crows nest of the tt
tanic when the giant liner
smashed into the iceberg, made
oath that not single lookout on
the Titanic was provided with
marine glasses and declared that
had his request for such glasses
In Southampton not been refused
the Titanic might yet be afloat.
II could easily have sighted
the iceberg with marine glasses
In plenty Of time to have the ves-
sci steered out of the way" said
Fleet, and gave in detail the re-
quest he made in Southampton
for them.
Although all other liners are
SO provided, Fleet swore, his re-
quest was flatly refused and he
was told there were no glasses
for him.
Third Officer Pittman admit
ted that the Titanic had been
warned that ice bergs were preva-
lent but said he did not see any
on the Sunday of the disaster. He
declared that in his IA years ex-
perience he had seen only one
iceberg before.
Pittman started his testimony
in a laconic and brusque manner.
Comments on his stolidness we're
audible in every part of the
room. Then the committee be-
gan questioning him on the scenes
on the Titanic when it was
= found that there was no hope of
saving the vessel.
Officer Beaks Down
Pittman's demeanor underwent
a complete change, and In a chok-
ing voice he begged the COM
mittee not to press him regard
ing the death cries of the trapped
victims.
1.-THE prayers and moans Of the
passengers arose in mighty
chorus of woe when they learned
that hope had vanished" Pitt
-man said. ''It was a continual
moan for an hour, and it died
away gradually. 1 wish you had
not referred to this"
Women spectators wept, and
committeeman shaded their eyes.
]. Bruce Ismay, Pittsman said,
was standing near a lifeboat and
he heard him ask about a boat
loaded with women. Captain
Smith, Pittman said, followed out
:. Ismsy's suggestions in issuing
orders.
Pittsman declared that his
boat saved 40 passengers and six
members of the crew. He heard
four explosions, he said, and then
the Titanic sank.
OFFICER ADMITTED THAT
IF EVERY LIFEBOAT HAD
BEEN CROWDED THEY WOULD
HAVE ACCOMMODATED ONLY
l,2OO PERSONS. HE ASSERT
ED THAT HE TRANSFERRED
TWO MEN, A WOMAN AND A
BABY FROM HIS BOAT TO
I4IFEBOAT NO. 2 AT THEIR RE.
QUEST.
Pittman said that when he re-
tried at 10 p. m, the vessel was
making about 21 1-2 knots.
1.-THE collision awakened me, y
he said. "It sounded as IL the
ship was coming to anchor. ]
was half asleep and wondered
~-why. I rushed to the deck un-
dressed, saw nothing and return
ed to my bunk In the belief that
had a nightmare.
"Then Fourth Officer Boxhall
came to my room and said the
Titanic had struck an iceberg.
when i got to the deck ]
found that the lifeboats were be-
Ing lowered. I saw the firemen
coming up from the engine
rooms.
Women were crawling over
the hatch and rushed out to
help load the lifeboats. helped
70 lower boat No. 5, which was
assigned to me.
A man In q dressing gown