Senator SMITH.
Of the American Marconi Co.?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you say that this code signal -
Mr. SAMMIS.
Is the signal of the Californian.
Senator SMITH.
Was it from the Californian?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
That is her signal?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
That is a recognized signal?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Among mariners or in the management of the wireless?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Amongst the operators. Each ship has its own call, and that is a distinctive call for each one.
Senator SMITH.
The Californian is equipped with the Marconi?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And this is her registered signal?
Mr. SAMMIS.
Yes, sir; her call.
Senator SMITH.
Now, I would like to know just what that message said?
Mr. BRIDE.
In the first place the Californian had called me, sir, with an ice report. I was rather busy just for the minute, and I did not take it. She did not call again. She transmitted the ice report to the Baltic, and as she was transmitting it to the Baltic I took it down. I took it to the captain; but it was not official because it was not intended for me afterwards.
Senator SMITH.
Was the attempt made first upon you?
Mr. BRIDE.
First on me; yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And being unable to get you, they tried to get the Baltic?
Mr. BRIDE.
It was about half an hour after that they transmitted it to the Baltic.
Senator SMITH.
Why were they unable to get you?
Mr. BRIDE.
I was doing some writing at the time, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You mean you were taking some messages?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir, I was writing some accounts.
Senator SMITH.
You were writing some accounts?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where?
Mr. BRIDE.
On the operating table.
Senator SMITH.
On the operating table?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you have this instrument off your head at the time?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you aware that the Californian was trying to get you?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You continued your work on the accounts, if I understand you correctly?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And did not respond to the Californian's call?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
For 30 minutes?
Mr. BRIDE.
I do not think it was quite 30 minutes.
Senator SMITH.
How long a time was it?
Mr. BRIDE.
It may have been. It would have been somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. I can not say definitely.
Senator SMITH.
Just what hour was this?
Mr. BRIDE.
Late in the afternoon.
Senator SMITH.
Of Sunday?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir. I should say it was about 5 o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
About six hours before that calamity occurred?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did your work continue for about 20 or 30 minutes on the accounts?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
After you had finished, what did you do?
Mr. BRIDE.
I still remained on watch until dinner time.
Senator SMITH.
Had you had any other wireless communications regarding the proximity of icebergs?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
This information that you got from the Californian was the first information?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And that you received about half-past 5 o'clock, the afternoon of Sunday?
Mr. BRIDE.
I should say it was nearer 5 o'clock, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When you took it?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Then, when the first call was made it must have been about half-past 4 o'clock?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
The ship being under steam and moving all the time?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When you got this call from the Californian which was intended for the Baltic, what did you do?
Mr. BRIDE.
I simply waited until she informed the Baltic. It was an ice report. Then I knew it would be the same one she had for me, so I took it down.
Senator SMITH.
And delivered it?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir. I acknowledged it to the Californian before I delivered it.
Senator SMITH.
You acknowledged it?
Mr. BRIDE.
I acknowledged the receipt of it.
Senator SMITH.
How much time elapsed while you were waiting to confirm this report through the Baltic?
Mr. BRIDE.
I did not confirm it through the Baltic. I confirmed it direct to the Californian.
Senator SMITH.
Confirmed it with the Californian?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
In your acknowledgement?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How much time elapsed?
Mr. BRIDE.
I should say about four minutes.
Senator SMITH.
What did you say in confirming this report to the Californian?
Mr. BRIDE.
I gave the usual acknowledgement of receipt, "R. D.," the Marconi signal.
Senator SMITH.
R. D. indicates "received"?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you said nothing more?
Mr. BRIDE.
Nothing more.
Senator SMITH.
But you are certain that the Californian knew that you had this message?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did they respond directly?
Mr. BRIDE.
They simply gave the usual finishing signal, "T. I. S." - "M. L. W."
Senator SMITH.
After you had put the "R. D." on?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
So that you knew they were aware of the fact that you had received this message?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Now, once more I would like to have you tell the exact language of that message.
Mr. BRIDE.
It stated the Californian had passed three large icebergs, and gave their latitude and longitude.
Senator SMITH.
That they had passed three large icebergs?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And gave their latitude and longitude?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes; that she had passed very close to them.
Senator SMITH.
Do you recollect what the latitude and longitude were?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir; indeed I do not.
Senator SMITH.
Did you make a record of this communication?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir, I made it on a slip of paper and handed it to the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
Intending to make a permanent record of it?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Are you not obliged to make a record of it?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
The reason you made no record of this message was because it was not official?
Mr. BRIDE.
It was not official, sir. If we kept a record of all these messages we should never be able to get through our work.
Senator SMITH.
If it had been official you would have preserved it?
Mr. BRIDE.
I should have preserved it.
Senator SMITH.
And made permanent record of it?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You took that message to the captain?
Mr. BRIDE.
The officer on the bridge?
Senator SMITH.
Who was the officer on the bridge?
Mr. BRIDE.
I could not say, sir; I do not know the officers, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Was it Mr. Lightoller?
Mr. BRIDE.
I could not tell you.
Senator SMITH.
You do not know whether it was the first or second officer?
Mr. BRIDE.
I did not know any of the officers there; I did not know what watches they were keeping.
Senator SMITH.
You did not know what watches they were keeping?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You took it to the officer on the bridge?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes; on the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
At what hour?
Mr. BRIDE.
A little after 5, sir.
Senator SMITH.
A little after 5?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Was that officer Murdoch?
Mr. BRIDE.
I could not tell you, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know Mr. Murdoch?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir; I know the officers by sight, but I do not know their names.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Murdoch was the first officer and he was in charge of the lookout at the time. Can you verify that in any way?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you communicate this message to the captain?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir; I gave it to the officer on watch, sir.
Senator SMITH.
I just wanted to know whether you communicated it to the captain, yourself?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You communicated it to the officer in charge of the watch who had charge of the ship at the time?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you receive any other communications regarding icebergs?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
From any ship, that afternoon or evening?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did Mr. Phillips receive a message from the Amerika?
Mr. BRIDE.
Not to my knowledge, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You did not receive one from the Amerika?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You are very certain about that?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Are you also very certain that the only message you received regarding icebergs was received from the Californian?
Mr. BRIDE.
Personally; yes, sir. As to what Mr. Phillips received, I can not say.
Senator SMITH.
No; I am not asking you that. Now, once more: Did Mr. Phillips at any time say to you that a message had been received from any other ship on that subject?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on duty at the wireless station from 6 o'clock Sunday evening until the collision or impact?
Mr. BRIDE.
I was on duty for half an hour, sir, while Mr. Phillips went and had his dinner.
Senator SMITH.
At what hour?
Mr. BRIDE.
From 7 o'clock until half-past.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you after that, up to the time of the collision?
Mr. BRIDE.
At the time of the collision?
Senator SMITH.
Up to the time of the collision.
Mr. BRIDE.
I was in bed.
Senator SMITH.
You had retired?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
In a room adjacent to the apparatus?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you and Mr. Phillips both occupy that room?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How far was it from the apparatus?
Mr. BRIDE.
Just next door to it.
Senator SMITH.
With a door between?
Mr. BRIDE.
There was a door between; yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Could you enter immediately from the apparatus, or operating room, to the bedroom?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You retired at what time?
Mr. BRIDE.
It was just about 8 o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
Were you in bed when this collision occurred?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you asleep?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you awakened by it?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How were you awakened?
Mr. BRIDE.
I woke up of my own accord.
Senator SMITH.
No one aroused you after that impact?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How long did you lie in bed after the collision?
Mr. BRIDE.
I could not tell you, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did Mr. Phillips not arouse you?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir
Senator SMITH.
Or attempt to do so?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know what time you arose from your bed?
Mr. BRIDE.
It must have been about a quarter to 12, sir; about 5 minutes to 12, ship's time.
Senator SMITH.
Five minutes to 12, ship's time?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What time did the collision occur?
Mr. BRIDE.
I could not say, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You remained in bed until 12:05?
Mr. BRIDE.
I think it was this side of 12, sir; it was about 5 minutes to 12.
Senator SMITH.
Then you must have been aroused somewhat by this impact?
Mr. BRIDE:
No; I had promised to relieve Mr. Phillips earlier than usual, you see.
Senator SMITH.
Earlier than usual, that night?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
And you awakened yourself?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Did you arise immediately?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And dress yourself?
Mr. BRIDE.
I went out to speak to him before I dressed. I only had pajamas on.
Senator SMITH.
Before you put your clothes on?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What did you say to him?
Mr. BRIDE.
I asked him how he was getting on.
Senator SMITH.
What did he say?
Mr. BRIDE.
He had a big batch of telegrams from Cape Race that he had just finished.
Senator SMITH.
He told you that?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Had he finished his work?
Mr. BRIDE:
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
This was after the collision?
Mr. BRIDE:
After the collision.
Senator SMITH.
Did you remain in the operating room?
Mr. BRIDE:
I got dressed first.
Senator SMITH.
You returned to the bedroom and got dressed?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
During that time did Mr. Phillips tell you that the boat had been injured?
Mr. BRIDE.
He told me that he thought she had got damaged in some way and that he expected that we should have to go back to Harland & Wolff's.
Senator SMITH.
Those are the builders, at Belfast?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
What did you do then?
Mr. BRIDE.
I took over the watch from him.
Senator SMITH.
You took the watch from him?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where did he go?
Mr. BRIDE.
He was going to retire, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did he retire?
Mr. BRIDE.
He got inside of the other room when the Captain came in, then.
Senator SMITH.
The Captain came in?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Personally?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
To the operating room?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What did the captain say?
Mr. BRIDE.
He told us that we had better get assistance.
Senator SMITH.
Can you tell us in his language?
Mr. BRIDE.
That is exactly what he said. He said, "You had better get assistance." When Mr. Phillips heard him he came out and asked him if he wanted him to use a distress call. He said, "Yes; at once."
Senator SMITH.
Who sent this call?
Mr. BRIDE.
Mr. Phillips.
Senator SMITH.
He responded to the captain's desire?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you turned the apparatus over to him?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Was the message sent immediately?
Mr. BRIDE.
Immediately.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know what the message was?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Please state it.
Mr. BRIDE.
C.Q.D. about half a dozen times; M.G.Y. half a dozen times.
Senator SMITH.
Will you kindly explain the meaning of these letters or that code?
Mr. BRIDE.
C.Q.D. is a recognized distress call; M.G.Y. is the code call of the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
Is C.Q.D. in itself composed of the first letters of three words, or merely a code?
Mr. BRIDE.
Merely a code call, sir.
Senator SMITH.
But one recognized by operators as important and as a distress call?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How long after that call was sent out was it before you got a reply?
Mr. BRIDE.
As far as I know, immediately, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Within two or three minutes?
Mr. BRIDE.
You see I could read what Mr. Phillips was sending, but I could not get the answers because he had the telephones.
Senator SMITH.
You knew what he had sent, but you did not know what he received in reply?
Mr. BRIDE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Right at this point I am going to ask Mr. Marconi if he will tell us what C.Q.D. means, literally.
Mr. MARCONI.
It is a conventional signal.
Senator SMITH.
You mean it is in accordance with the international convention?
Mr. MARCONI.
No; it is not. It is a conventional signal which was introduced originally by my company to express a state of danger or peril of a ship that sends it.
Mr. UHLER
It is an arbitrary signal?
Mr. MARCONI.
It is arbitrary, but it is conventional. Every one understands it. "C.Q." means "All stations," does it not, Mr. Bride?
Mr. BRIDE.
Yes, sir.
Mr. MARCONI.
C.Q. is the call for all stations. If you call C.Q. on a ship it means, "All other stations stand at attention and reply." I did not make the signal originally. I presume the object was to indicate, in a certain way, to all stations, the danger, or peril that existed.
Mr. KIRLIN.
Or distress?
Mr. MARCONI.
Or distress, yes. I should add that the international danger signal, introduced or decided on by the Berlin convention, is S.O.S.
Senator SMITH.
What does that mean?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know what it means. It denotes danger or distress. I believe that was sent, too, from the Titanic; but, of course, Mr. Bride will tell you, if it is the fact.
Senator SMITH.
What is the silent signal?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know it, personally.
Senator SMITH.
Under the international convention, I mean.
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know it.
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