Senator SMITH.
Did you carry a watch?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You made no record of it in any way?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You went to the lookout at 10 o'clock?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Whom did you relieve?
Senator SMITH.
Did they tell you they had seen icebergs?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir; they only gave us the orders to look out for them.
Senator SMITH.
But they did not say they had seen any?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you four men the only men that occupied this position in the boat?
Mr. FLEET.
There were six.
Senator SMITH.
Who were the other two?
Senator SMITH.
Did they survive the wreck?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
All of the lookouts survived?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where do these last two men live? Do you know?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir; there is one here.
Senator SMITH.
Which one?
Mr. FLEET.
Hogg and Symons are here besides me. The other three have gone home.
Senator SMITH.
Lee?
Mr. FLEET.
I do not know where Lee is. He got detained in New York.
Senator SMITH.
What is the watch? It is two hours on and -
Mr. FLEET.
And four hours off.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on watch from 8 to 10 that night in the crow's nest or lookout?
Mr. FLEET.
Symons and Jewell.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on watch from 6 to 8?
Mr. FLEET.
Hogg and Evans.
Senator SMITH.
Did either of these mates of yours say anything about having seen icebergs Sunday or Sunday evening?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Your last watch before 10 o'clock was from 4 to 6, was it not?
Mr. FLEET.
From four to six; Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And from four to six did you see any icebergs?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Up there in the crow's nest, are there any indications of the presence of ice off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Does the weather change on the Newfoundland Banks?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir. It is all open in the nest, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Was that a cold night - Sunday?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What protection against the weather have you in the crow's nest?
Mr. FLEET.
We have nothing ahead, and there are just two bits of screen behind us.
Senator SMITH.
Canvas?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And nothing ahead?
Mr. FLEET.
Nothing in front.
Senator SMITH.
So your view is unobstructed?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Are you given glasses of any kind?
Mr. FLEET.
We had none this time. We had nothing at all, only our own eyes, to look out.
Senator SMITH.
On the Oceanic you had glasses, had you not?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Each of you?
Mr. FLEET.
There is one pair in the nest.
Senator SMITH.
One pair of glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What kind of glasses are they; strong, powerful glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
No, not always, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What were those on the Oceanic?
Mr. FLEET.
Very poor; you could see about from here to that looking-glass (indicating).
Senator SMITH.
Did you make any request for glasses on the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
We asked them in Southampton, and they said there was none for us.
Senator SMITH.
Whom did you ask?
Mr. FLEET.
They said there was none intended for us.
Senator SMITH.
Whom did you ask?
Mr. FLEET.
We asked Mr. Lightoller, the second officer.
Senator SMITH.
Did you make the request yourself?
Mr. FLEET.
No; the station lookout men did, Hogg and Evans.
Senator SMITH.
How do you know they made it?
Mr. FLEET.
Because they told us.
Senator SMITH.
Where did they tell you; after leaving Southampton?
Mr. FLEET.
In Southampton, and afterwards.
Senator SMITH.
You expected glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
We had a pair from Belfast to Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
You had a pair of glasses from Belfast to Southampton?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir; but none from Southampton to New York.
Senator SMITH.
Where did those go that you had from Belfast to Southampton?
Mr. FLEET.
We do not know that. We only know we never got a pair.
Senator SMITH.
And you had none from Southampton to the place of this accident?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Suppose you had had glasses such as you had on the Oceanic, or such as you had between Belfast and Southampton, could you have seen this black object a greater distance?
Mr. FLEET.
We could have seen it a bit sooner.
Senator SMITH.
How much sooner?
Mr. FLEET.
Well, enough to get out of the way.
Senator SMITH.
Did you and your mates discuss with one another the fact that you had no glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
We discussed it all together, between us.
Senator SMITH.
Did you express surprise or regret that you had none?
Mr. FLEET.
I do not know what you mean.
Senator SMITH.
Were you disappointed that you had no glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether the officer on the bridge had glasses?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see him using them?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on the bow of that boat, if anyone, Sunday evening, forward of the bridge?
Mr. FLEET.
There was nobody forward of it.
Senator SMITH.
Nobody forward of the bridge?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir; we were the only ones that were forward - up in the nest.
Senator SMITH.
And there was no one else?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What time did you have your supper that night; Sunday night?
Mr. FLEET.
What? Tea?
Senator SMITH.
Yes.
Mr. FLEET.
Five o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
In the mess?
Mr. FLEET.
In the mess, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You were not in the habit of eating your meals in the crow's nest?
Mr. FLEET.
Oh, no, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you have any other business in the crow's nest, you and your mates, except to keep a sharp lookout ahead?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And that was your business?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And has been your business how long ?
Mr. FLEET.
For the last four years and a half. I went straight from the Oceanic to the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
What wages do you receive?
Mr. FLEET.
Five pounds a month, and five shillings lookout money.
Senator SMITH.
What is the lookout money for?
Mr. FLEET.
It is what we get from the company. It has nothing to do with the pay. It is just £5 a month, and then 5 shillings for the lookout.
Senator SMITH.
That lookout money means for your special service?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Is that paid to you at the end of each month?
Mr. FLEET.
Each voyage.
Senator SMITH.
Did all of the lookout men on the Titanic get the same pay?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Are you a married or a single man?
Mr. FLEET.
Single.
Senator SMITH.
Tell the committee what you did after you left the crow's nest that night.
Mr. FLEET.
I went down below and I found there was nobody down there, and the quartermaster come down and said we were all wanted on the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
Did you go up to the bridge?
Mr. FLEET.
I went up on the boat deck.
Senator SMITH.
What did they say to you up there?
Mr. FLEET.
I did not see anyone there; I seen them all at the boats, getting them ready and putting them out.
Senator SMITH.
The lifeboats?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What did you do?
Mr. FLEET.
I helped to get the port boat out.
Senator SMITH.
The fourth one?
Mr. FLEET.
The port-side lifeboat. I got No. 6 out.
Senator SMITH.
How many of those boats did you help lower?
Mr. FLEET.
I lowered No. 6 to the rail.
Senator SMITH.
How many sailors or men of the crew were put into No. 6?
Mr. FLEET.
There was me and one quartermaster.
Senator SMITH.
Yourself and one quartermaster?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Was that all of the crew or officers that were in that boat?
Mr. FLEET.
That is all. No officers; just us two.
Senator SMITH.
You and the quartermaster?
Mr. FLEET.
Me and Quartermaster Hichens.
Senator SMITH.
Did he survive?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir; he is staying in New York.
Senator SMITH.
After lowering the lifeboat to the boat deck, did he get in first or you?
Mr. FLEET.
I was told by Mr. Lightoller to get in the boat and help the women in.
Senator SMITH.
You got in by direction of the second officer?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And helped the women in?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How many men were in that boat?
Mr. FLEET.
Five.
Senator SMITH.
Who were they?
Mr. FLEET.
Three men passengers and two of the crew.
Senator SMITH.
Who were the passengers?
Mr. FLEET.
I do not know. There was one steerage and two first.
Senator SMITH.
You do not know who they were?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Have you ever seen them since?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How many women or children were there in the boat?
Mr. FLEET.
There was no children. They were all women. I could not tell how many because I did not count them.
Senator SMITH.
Was the boat full?
Mr. FLEET.
It was full up, but it could have took a few more forward, where I was.
Senator SMITH.
How many do you think you had in it all together?
Mr. FLEET.
About 30.
Senator SMITH.
Was it the regular lifeboat, the large size?
Mr. FLEET.
One of the wooden lifeboats.
Senator SMITH.
You got about 30 people in there, and then it was lowered to the water?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And what did you do then?
Mr. FLEET.
We got the oars and pulled for the light that was on the port bow.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see it?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What happened there?
Mr. FLEET.
We could not get up to it.
Senator SMITH.
Why not?
Mr. FLEET.
There were only two of us pulling.
Senator SMITH.
You could not get up to it?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How close could you get to it?
Mr. FLEET.
She was getting away off.
Senator SMITH.
At that time were there any persons in the water?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you hear any cries of distress?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When you found you could not get up to it, what did you do?
Mr. FLEET.
We kept on pulling; that is all.
Senator SMITH.
In that direction; away from the boat?
Mr. FLEET.
Away from the boat.
Senator SMITH.
Away from the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you keep right on pulling away?
Mr. FLEET.
We kept on pulling.
Senator SMITH.
And did not stop?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Toward what did you pull?
Mr. FLEET.
We thought we could get up to this light, but we could not. It seemed to be getting away from us all the time.
Senator SMITH.
What light was it?
Mr. FLEET.
It was a light on the port bow. She seemed to be abreast of us.
Senator SMITH.
Are you now talking of the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
Abreast of the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
From the time you started to pull away from the Titanic’s side, did anyone try to get into your boat?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did anyone try to get out of it?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did anyone step into your boat, man or woman, and then step out of it?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir. There was just one passenger, when we was lowering away, come in the boat.
Senator SMITH.
Who was that?
Mr. FLEET.
One of the men passengers.
Senator SMITH.
Who was it; do you know?
Mr. FLEET.
I do not know who he was, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When you were lowering away?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How far had you gotten below the boat deck?
Mr. FLEET.
It was not very far; just about the length of the table down. He got over the life lanyard and swung in and come down the fall.
Senator SMITH.
You took no other persons aboard this lifeboat from that time?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And landed all of your occupants of that boat alongside of the Carpathia?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
During the time you were waiting for the Carpathia, were you rowing the boat away or lying on your oars?
Mr. FLEET.
We pulled until we were clear of the suction of the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
Pulled away from the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Assuming there would be suction when she went down?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Was there any?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir; we were too far off.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see her go down?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Why not?
Mr. FLEET.
The lights were out, and we were too far away.
Senator SMITH.
You could not see her when she disappeared?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you picked up by the Carpathia, near the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
When we sighted the lights of the Carpathia, we pulled toward her again.
Senator SMITH.
And were picked up by her?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir; right alongside.
Senator SMITH.
After getting alongside the Carpathia you did not take your lifeboat back to the scene of the wreck?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You got aboard the Carpathia?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were there lights of any other vessels in sight when you came down from the crow's nest?
Mr. FLEET.
There was no lights at all when we was up in the crow's nest. This is after we was down and on the boats; then I seen the light.
Senator SMITH.
Where did you see it?
Mr. FLEET.
On the port bow. The other lookout reported it.
Senator SMITH.
How far ahead?
Mr. FLEET.
It was not ahead; it was on the bow, about four points.
Senator SMITH.
I am not speaking of that. I wanted to know whether you saw ahead, while you were on the watch, on the lookout, Sunday night, after the collision occurred or before, any lights of any other ship.
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You saw no lights at all?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see any rockets fired from the deck of the Titanic?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir; when we were in the boat and when we were on the deck before I went in the boat.
Senator SMITH.
But you saw no lights ahead that indicated the presence of another vessel?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Or while you were in the crow's nest?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Nor any other object except the one you have described?
Mr. FLEET.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see any other icebergs; field ice, or growlers while you were in the crow's nest Sunday or Sunday night?
Mr. FLEET.
Only the one I reported right ahead.
Senator SMITH.
Only that one?
Mr. FLEET.
That is all.
Senator SMITH.
I think that is all at this time, and if I want you again I will send you word. Will you just remain subject to the committee's call?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator NEWLANDS.
I want to ask just one question. Can you see with glasses at night as well as during the day?
Mr. FLEET.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What color were the lights toward which you were pulling when you were on the lifeboat?
Mr. FLEET.
A bright light.
Senator SMITH.
White -
Mr. FLEET. (interrupting)
White; yes.
Senator SMITH.
White, green, or what?
Mr. FLEET.
A white light.
Senator SMITH.
How many were there?
Mr. FLEET.
One.
Senator SMITH.
I wish you would return at half past 3, Mr. Fleet, and I would like also to have Maj. Peuchen present at 3.30 as well.
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