Senator SMITH.
You have never found it so?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And have never heard these explosions?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Have you ever thought that the absence of swell or wave motion in a fresh breeze is a sign that there is land or ice on the weather side of the ship?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you regard the presence of seal herds or flocks of birds as in any way indicating the proximity of land?
Mr. PITMAN.
Certainly not.
Senator SMITH.
Or icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
Certainly not. We have them in the southern ocean all the way across, for thousands of miles-flocks of birds.
Senator SMITH.
Do you ever have any ice in the southern ocean?
Mr. PITMAN.
Occasionally, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Have you ever seen any there?
Mr. PITMAN.
I have, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How large a growler or berg?
Mr. PITMAN.
One I saw about 18 months ago, and there were three, as a matter of fact -
Senator SMITH.
Where did you see them?
Mr. PITMAN.
Off the Falkland Islands. One was about 700 feet long and 600 feet wide and fully 500 feet high.
Senator SMITH.
Were you surprised to see it?
Mr. PITMAN.
Not at all, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You expected to see it?
Mr. PITMAN.
What do you mean? Oh, I thought you meant the size of it. No; we did not expect to see ice.
Senator SMITH.
But, as a matter of fact, you found it?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir; in the daylight.
Senator SMITH.
How close were you to this berg you speak of?
Mr. PITMAN.
About a mile, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What was the color?
Mr. PITMAN.
When the sun was shining on it, it was a perfect white.
Senator SMITH.
What time of the day or night did you see it first?
Mr. PITMAN.
In the morning, about 8 o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see it in the night at all?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir; when the sun was not shining on it, it looked like a perfectly black berg, like a huge island, and that is where I proved that the temperature of the water is absolutely no indication of icebergs.
Senator SMITH.
How about the temperature of the air?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; it was not affected at all.
Senator SMITH.
Do you mean to say that it never is affected by the prevalence of field ice or icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; I would say that it would not be, after my experience with ice.
Senator SMITH.
Is it not a fact that the temperature of the air falls as ice approaches?
Mr. PITMAN.
It may do so.
Senator SMITH.
What about this iceberg that you saw in southern waters?
Mr. PITMAN.
It did not affect the temperature in the slightest.
Senator SMITH.
Which side of the ship would be apt to realize that fall of temperature first?
Mr. PITMAN.
The weather side.
Senator SMITH.
The leeward?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; the weather side; the windward side.
Senator SMITH.
I ask you whether the fall of the temperature of the sea water is not sometimes a sign of the proximity of an iceberg?
Mr. PITMAN.
I should never put any reliance in it myself, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know of your own knowledge that water was taken from the sea every two hours during the journey from Southampton to the place of the accident?
Mr. PITMAN.
That is so, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What was it taken for?
Mr. PITMAN.
Well, it is a custom in the ships.
Senator SMITH.
It is not a mere custom, is it; it must have some meaning?
Mr. PITMAN.
And it is for meteorological observation.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know of your own knowledge whether any tests of the temperature of that water were made on board the Titanic?
Mr. PITMAN.
They are made every two hours, sir.
Senator SMITH.
I mean the temperature, the water taken and then the temperature tested?
Mr. PITMAN.
Every two hours, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know that that was done?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes; the quartermaster does that every two hours.
Senator SMITH.
Did you personally see it done on this voyage?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir. I have seen the men going to do it.
Senator SMITH.
How did they do it; by lowering a bucket into the water or lowering a bottle?
Mr. PITMAN.
We usually have a canvas bucket which they lower into the water.
Senator SMITH.
Did this boat have a canvas bucket on it?
Mr. PITMAN.
It did not. We did not have time to make one. They were using a tin.
Senator SMITH.
What was it attached to?
Mr. PITMAN.
A piece of rope long enough to reach the water.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see the rope?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you did not see this temporary bucket put into the water?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You stated a few moments ago that the second officer [Lightoller], I believe, reported ice Saturday night?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; I said the fourth officer.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Lowe?
Mr. PITMAN.
Mr. Boxhall.
Senator SMITH.
You said Mr. Boxhall reported ice Saturday night, and that it was marked on the chart with a cross. Was this mark on the chart on or near the ship's course?
Mr. PITMAN.
As far as I can recollect, it was to the northward of the course; to the north of our track.
Senator SMITH.
How far?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not measure it, sir; and I have not the slightest idea of the position of it.
Senator SMITH.
Was the ship on its proper course?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
If I am correctly advised, the course of ships now sailing from port to port in the sea is recognized as standard so far as the customary routes of travel are concerned. Am I right?
Mr. PITMAN.
Certain firms.
Senator SMITH.
Did this apply to the White Star Line?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir; a majority of the big passenger lines stick to this particular track.
Senator SMITH.
It has been said that this particular ship was on the northerly course. Now, then, will you tell the committee the distinction between what is commonly regarded as the northerly course and the southerly course?
Mr. PITMAN.
Well, they are two different tracks. One is followed from the 14th of August to the 14th of January, and the other is followed from the 14th of January to the 14th of August. The latter is the
southern track.
Senator SMITH.
One is followed by ships bound east and the other by ships bound west?
Mr. PITMAN.
That is right, sir. It would be much easier to explain it on a chart.
Senator SMITH.
Like a double-track railroad?
Mr. PITMAN.
Exactly.
Senator SMITH.
These two tracks, if I understand correctly, were the recognized and customary tracks for ships to take at that time of the year, the principal steamship lines?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir; the principal lines that run to America.
Senator SMITH.
Just preceding the sinking of the Titanic, was she on the course commonly taken by ships sailing from Southampton to New York, or was she on the course commonly taken by ships sailing from New York to Southampton?
Mr. PITMAN.
She was on the course followed by ships coming from the English Channel to New York.
Senator SMITH.
Do you make that statement because of the position of the ship at the time of the collision?
Mr. PITMAN.
I do not quite understand you.
Senator SMITH.
You know the latitude and longitude of this ship when she struck the iceberg?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did that indicate to you that she was on the true course?
Mr. PITMAN.
Exactly. She was right on the line.
Senator SMITH.
Then, when the course was put on the chart, which you saw, indicating the prevalence of ice, did that indicate that it was on the course your ship was taking?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, no. It was way to the north.
Senator SMITH.
How far to the north?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not measure the distance, and so I can not say.
Senator SMITH.
Well, as a matter of fact, did you see any ice there Sunday?
Mr. PITMAN.
I saw none, sir, up to Monday morning.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see it Monday morning?
Mr. PITMAN.
At the break of day; yes.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you when you saw it?
Mr. PITMAN.
In a boat.
Senator SMITH.
In a lifeboat?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you going - from the Titanic to the
Carpathia?
Mr. PITMAN.
At that time; yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How much ice did you see then?
Mr. PITMAN.
There were numerous bergs around me, maybe half a dozen; but I was not sufficiently interested to count them.
Senator SMITH.
Were these bergs high above the water?
Mr. PITMAN.
Some were.
Senator SMITH.
How high?
Mr. PITMAN.
Some may have been 100 feet or 150 feet.
Senator SMITH.
That high above the water?
Mr. PITMAN.
That high above the water; yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How high was the Titanic, about 70 feet from the water's edge?
Mr. PITMAN.
Well, the boat deck was.
Senator SMITH.
The upper deck was about 70 feet from the water's edge?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
These icebergs that you saw at daybreak Monday morning after the accident were, some of them, as high as 150 feet high?
Mr. PITMAN.
I should think so, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How many of the larger ones of that kind were there?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not count them, sir. I was more interested in the people in my boat.
Senator SMITH.
Well, one or two?
Mr. PITMAN.
I really could not say, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you on Sunday evening immediately preceding the collision?
Mr. PITMAN.
In my bunk; in bed.
Senator SMITH.
What were the hours of your watch that night?
Mr. PITMAN.
I was on the bridge from 6 to 8 o'clock p. m.
Senator SMITH.
Whom did you see on the bridge, if anyone, that night between 6 and 8 o'clock?
Mr. PITMAN.
The commander and the second officer.
Senator SMITH.
The captain?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You call him the commander in that event?
Mr. PITMAN.
Some do.
Senator SMITH.
I just wanted to be sure that you referred to the captain. What time was he on the bridge; all the time that you were on watch?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; I could not say that, sir, because I was inside, working out observations.
Senator SMITH.
Whenever you went to the bridge, from 6 to 8 o'clock, do you recall having seen the captain?
Mr. PITMAN.
I saw him once, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you recall the hour?
Mr. PITMAN.
Previous to 7 o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
You did not see him after 7 o'clock on the bridge?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir, no; because I did not go on the bridge myself.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on the bridge?
Mr. PITMAN.
The second officer, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Lightoller?
Mr. PITMAN.
Mr. Lightoller.
Senator SMITH.
Did you talk with Mr. Lightoller between 6 and 8 o'clock that night?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you learn from him that the Californian had warned the Titanic that she was in the vicinity of icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir. We had no conversation whatever.
Senator SMITH.
Did you hear anything about the wireless from the Californian on the direction of icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir.
Senator SMITH.
No one mentioned that to you?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you have any conversation with the captain on Sunday?
Mr. PITMAN.
None whatever, sir. I never had any.
Senator SMITH.
You never spoke to him?
Mr. PITMAN.
I never spoke to him; no, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did he say any thing to you?
Mr. PITMAN.
Not on Sunday, he did not.
Senator SMITH.
But you had spoken to him before, on the voyage?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, yes, sir; in reference to work.
Senator SMITH.
But on Sunday you did not?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
If I recollect what you have said, you saw the icebergs, or evidence of ice, when you were on the watch from 6 to 8 o'clock Sunday evening?
Mr. PITMAN.
I saw none whatever, sir, until I was in the boat, and that was about half-past 3 Monday morning. That was the first ice I saw.
Senator SMITH.
Did you look for it?
Mr. PITMAN.
We were keeping a special lookout for ice.
Senator SMITH.
Who was?
Mr. PITMAN.
The officer of the watch from 10 o'clock on.
Senator SMITH.
Who was the officer of the watch from 10 o'clock on?
Mr. PITMAN.
Mr. Murdoch.
Senator SMITH.
How do you know he was keeping a special lookout?
Mr. PITMAN.
Because he was warned.
Senator SMITH.
Who warned him?
Mr. PITMAN.
Well, I know that Mr. Lightoller passed the word along to him.
Senator SMITH.
How do you know that? I merely want to get at the fact. I am not pressing you for unnecessary detail.
Mr. PITMAN.
Because I had heard some one mention it.
Senator SMITH.
Mention it before the collision or since?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, since.
Senator SMITH.
Exactly. What did you do after you left the watch at 8 o'clock on Sunday evening?
Mr. PITMAN.
I went to bed, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Immediately?
Mr. PITMAN.
Within a very few minutes.
Senator SMITH.
What time did you dine that evening?
Mr. PITMAN.
At 6 o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
Just before going on watch?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes. Well, no; just after I went on the bridge and left the bridge, then I had my dinner.
Senator SMITH.
You had your dinner where?
Mr. PITMAN.
On the boat deck.
Senator SMITH.
Is there a dining room up there, or anything of that kind?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
For the officers?
Mr. PITMAN.
Our own mess.
Senator SMITH.
After 8 o'clock you retired?
Mr. PITMAN.
Exactly, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Between 6 and 8 o'clock did you take any observations?
Mr. PITMAN.
Of what?
Senator SMITH.
Astronomical observations?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes; we took stellar observations and also observations for compass deviation.
Senator SMITH.
You took them yourself?
Mr. PITMAN.
I took them myself. No, sir; I did not take the stellar observations myself. I took the time for them, and Mr. Lightoller himself took the observations of the body.
Senator SMITH.
How many times during that watch, do you recollect?
Mr. PITMAN.
How many times did we take observations?
Senator SMITH.
During that watch, yes; how many observations were taken?
Mr. PITMAN.
We just took a set of them at sunset, or just as it was getting dusk, when the stars were visible. It was about 6 or 8 o'clock that we took them.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know how these observations located the ship?
Mr. PITMAN.
Do I know what?
Senator SMITH.
Do you know how these observations located the ship?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes; right on the track.
Senator SMITH.
And that is where you got yournecessary facts to determine the location of the ship?
Mr. PITMAN.
Exactly.
Senator SMITH.
Am I right?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Can you give the location of the ship at 8 o'clock that night?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Or at any time between 6 and 8 o'clock?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir; I have forgotten.
Senator SMITH.
Can you tell what speed the ship was making at the time of these observations?
Mr. PITMAN.
About 21 1/2.
Senator SMITH.
Twenty-one and a half what?
Mr. PITMAN.
Knots.
Senator SMITH.
Twenty-one and one-half knots per hour?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
In miles what would that be?
Mr. PITMAN.
There are 6,080 feet in a nautical mile and there are 5,280 in the geographical mile.
Senator SMITH.
At just what time between 6 and 8 o'clock did you take these observations?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, yes.
Senator SMITH.
I say, at just what time. You did not take them while you were at your dinner?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, no, sir; about half-past 7. Between half-past 7 and 20 minutes to 8.
Senator SMITH.
You and Mr. Lightoller?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes; we took a set of sights.
Senator SMITH.
The second officer took a set of -
Mr. PITMAN. (interrupting)
Stellar observations.
Senator SMITH.
And at that time the speed of the ship was about 21+ knots per hour?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you regard that as pretty good speed?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; nothing to what we expected her to do.
Senator SMITH.
Did you expect her to do pretty well?
Mr. PITMAN.
We thought it quite possible that she could reach 24.
Senator SMITH.
Were you trying to reach 24 knots?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; we had to study the coal. We had not the coal to do it.
Senator SMITH.
You had not the coal?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know how many boilers were working at that time?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
As I understood you, you made no special observations for icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
I did not, sir; no, sir.
Senator SMITH.
These were stellar observations that you have referred to?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes; to determine the position of the ship.
Senator SMITH.
And did you personally direct your attention to the question of icebergs?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
I believe you said Mr. Murdoch had given some attention to that?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; I understand that Mr. Lightoller warned him.
Senator SMITH.
That you understand since the accident?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, no. We had mentioned it before. We spoke of it amongst ourselves.
Senator SMITH.
When? On Sunday?
Mr. PITMAN.
Sunday. It might have been about 8 o'clock. I do not remember the time.
Senator SMITH.
Eight o'clock on Sunday?
Mr. PITMAN.
It may have been. I can not remember it exactly.
Senator SMITH.
But you are sure you talked it over with your fellow officers?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You did not talk it over with the captain?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, no, sir.
Senator SMITH.
During this conversation to which you refer, what was said and by whom, if you can recollect?
Mr. PITMAN.
We were just remarking that we should be in the vicinity of ice in Mr. Murdoch’s watch.
Senator SMITH.
And Mr. Murdoch’s watch began at 10 o'clock?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you expected ice at that time?
Mr. PITMAN.
Well, we might see it.
Senator SMITH.
You might see it at that time?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you all in accord on that?
Mr. PITMAN.
I had nothing to say in the matter. I was not interested in it.
Senator SMITH.
Who was present during this conversation? Did it occur at dinner, or when did it occur?
Mr. PITMAN.
Oh, I can not remember now, sir, when it occurred, and I have not now the slightest idea who was there.
Senator SMITH.
But, so far as you are concerned, the matter ended there?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes. I just heard the remark passed; that was all.
Senator SMITH.
Tell me, if you can, upon what ground you base your report of 21 1/2 knots speed?
Mr. PITMAN.
By the log and the revolutions.
Senator SMITH.
How many revolutions was the boat making at that time?
Mr. PITMAN.
I think about 75.
Senator SMITH.
And 75 revolutions would indicate that she was going about 21 1/2 knots?
Mr. PITMAN.
Approximately, yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether she went any faster than that on that trip?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; I do not think so. She never exceeded 76 revolutions at any part of the trip.
Senator SMITH.
Did you not hear one of the officers say that she had made 80 revolutions per minute?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; she never made 80 revolutions.
Senator SMITH.
I may be in error about it, but my recollection is that either Mr. -
Mr. KIRLIN.
That was a passenger, sir.
Mr. BURLINGHAM.
That was Mr. Toppin, a passenger.
Senator SMITH.
Were you going straight away on a straight course when you took these observations?
Mr. PITMAN.
Yes, sir; exactly.
Senator SMITH.
Or did you have a course of speed that took you in a curved direction?
Mr. PITMAN.
No; we were proceeding on the track laid down for the company.
Senator SMITH.
Did you talk over the question of the speed of the ship that night with your fellow officers, during dinner or any other time?
Mr. PITMAN.
We did not, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you hear anyone else say how fast she was going?
Mr. PITMAN.
No, sir.
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