(The witness was sworn by the chairman.)
Senator SMITH.
Will you give your full name to the reporter?
Mr. LOWE.
Harold Godfrey Lowe.
Senator SMITH.
I would like to have you turn your chair so you are facing the reporter.
Mr. LOWE.
I am facing you, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Turn your chair so you will look directly at the reporter. Where do you reside?
Mr. LOWE.
In North Wales.
Senator SMITH.
How old are you?
Mr. LOWE.
Twenty-nine in the fall of the year, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What is your business?
Mr. LOWE.
Seaman.
Senator SMITH.
How long have you been engaged in that business?
Mr. LOWE.
Fourteen years.
Senator SMITH.
What experience have you had?
Mr. LOWE.
I suppose I have had experience with pretty well every ship afloat - the different classes of ships afloat - from the schooner to the square-rigged sailing vessel, and from that to steamships, and of all sizes.
Senator SMITH.
So you have been employed on sailing vessels -
Mr. LOWE.
In pretty well every branch of the mercantile marine.
Senator SMITH.
Describe, if you will, the general nature of your employment as a mariner, beginning with your first experience.
Mr. LOWE.
As a sailor?
Senator SMITH.
Yes, sir. I would like to get on the record, Mr. Lowe, your full experience.
Mr. LOWE.
It will be very long, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Make it as brief as you can.
Mr. LOWE.
I ran away from home when I was about 14, and I went in a schooner. I was in seven schooners altogether, and my father wanted to apprentice me but I said I would not be apprenticed; that I was not going to work for anybody for nothing, without any money; that I wanted to be paid for my labor. That was previous to my running away. He took me to Liverpool to a lot of offices there, and I told him once for all that I meant what I said. I said, "I am not going to be apprenticed, and that settles it." So of course I ran away and went on these schooners, and from there I went to square-rigged sailing ships, and from there to steam, and got all my certificates, and then I was for five years on the West African coast in the service there, and from there I joined the White Star Line.
Senator SMITH.
When did you join the White Star Line?
Mr. LOWE.
About 15 months ago, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What was the nature of your employment with them?
Mr. LOWE.
I was junior officer.
Senator SMITH.
On what ship?
Mr. LOWE.
I was third on the Tropic and I was third on the Belgic, and then I was sent to the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
On what routes? What were the routes?
Mr. LOWE.
The Australian voyage, the two previous voyages.
Senator SMITH.
Had you ever been in the North Atlantic before?
Mr. LOWE.
Never; never. It was about the only place I had never been before.
Senator SMITH.
When did you join the Titanic?
Mr. LOWE.
I joined the Titanic on April 21, in Belfast - March 21, I believe; pardon me - in Belfast.
Senator SMITH.
Were you present at the trial tests in Belfast Lough?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Of the Titanic?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir; I was.
Senator SMITH.
What service did you render during those tests?
Mr. LOWE.
My service, sir, was pretty well general, to do anything we were told to do.
Senator SMITH.
Tell, if you can, what you did do.
Mr. LOWE.
Worked out things; worked out the odds and ends, and then submitted them to the senior officer. We are there to do the navigating part so the senior officer can be and shall be in full charge of the bridge and have nothing to worry his head about. We have all that, the junior officers; there are four of us. The three seniors are in absolute charge of the boat. They have nothing to worry themselves about. They simply have to walk backward and forward and look after the ship, and we do all the figuring and all that sort of thing in our chart room.
Senator SMITH.
What did you do that day, if you can tell?
Mr. LOWE.
What day?
Senator SMITH.
What part did you take or have that day to do on that day with the test, in making the tests.
Mr. LOWE.
I could no more tell you now than fly.
Senator SMITH.
I will ask you specifically whether you assisted in making any tests of the lifeboats?
Mr. LOWE.
We overhauled them.
Senator SMITH.
In what way?
Mr. LOWE.
Mr. Moody and myself and Mr. Pitman and Mr. Boxhall took the port boat - that is, I took the starboard, and they took the port, and we overhauled them; that is to say, we counted the oars, the rowlocks, or the thole pins, whichever you like to call them, and saw there was a mast and sail, rigging, gear, and everything else that fitted in the boats, and plugs, and also that the biscuit tank was all right, and that there were two breakers in the boat, two bailers, two plugs, and the steering rowlock; that is, the rowlock for the oar that you ship aft when there is a heavy sea running, because you can not steer by rudder when there is a heavy sea running, and you put an oar over and you have greater command over an oar and can put more power on it.
Everything was absolutely correct with the exception of one dipper. A dipper is a long thin can about that length (indicating) and about that diameter (indicating) - an inch and a quarter diameter - and you dip it down into the water breaker and draw the water. That was the only thing that was short out of our boats, and our boats were, respectively, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15, from 1 to 15-odd numbers, Then the even numbers were on the other side; that is, on the port side of the ship.
Senator SMITH.
One, three, five, seven, nine, and eleven were on the starboard side or the port side?
Mr. LOWE.
One, three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen and fifteen were on the starboard side, sir, and everything was absolutely correct.
Senator SMITH.
Did you personally examine every lifeboat?
Mr. LOWE.
I did, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And every collapsible?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir; every collapsible as well, also. I should have mentioned them, but those were the boats I mentioned. We do not deem the collapsibles as boats.
Senator SMITH.
You do not deem them as lifeboats?
Mr. LOWE.
These are the full lifeboats.
Senator SMITH.
That is the numbers you have given?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir; they are the outside boats, the boats that hang on the ship's side. Then there are two collapsibles on each side, two on port and two starboard, and we examined them. I could not quote from memory what we found in them, but we found 14 oars, and, anyhow, a set and a half of oars on one set of rowlocks. That is, if there were six rowlocks, there were nine oars in case of emergency. That is, if an oar got broke there was another extra oar to replace that oar, and there were three spare ones - that is, one and one-half sets.
If there were 12 oars in one boat, it was fully equipped. There would be 18 oars altogether - 6 extras - and dippers and everything else. Everything was absolutely correct; I will swear to that.
Senator SMITH.
You have detailed the equipment of a lifeboat as prescribed by the British Board of Trade regulations, have you?
Mr. LOWE.
I can, if you wish me to.
Senator SMITH.
Have you done it already?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes; pretty well.
Senator SMITH.
Hare you included everything?
Mr. LOWE.
There is a compass -
Senator SMITH.
Any lights?
Mr. LOWE.
A light, and oil to burn for eight hours; biscuits and water. That is all I can think of at present.
Senator SMITH.
All these things that you have mentioned are part of the equipment demanded by the British Board of Trade?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir. We went around those boats. We arrived there about noon on this 23rd, in Belfast, and on the 24th we went around everything, taking stock of everything on board the ship, and also noting the condition of these things. We took the starboard lifeboats and the other junior officers took the port.
Senator SMITH.
Now, Mr. Lowe, this inspection that you made was on the 23rd and 24th?
Mr. LOWE.
On the 23rd only, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When did the Titanic leave Belfast for Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
That is more than I can tell you. We left Liverpool on Tuesday; we arrived on a Wednesday, and we inspected the boat on a Thursday. I think we left of the following Tuesday for Southampton. No; we ran around the Lough and afterwards proceeded for Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
The 23rd of March was on Saturday?
Mr. LOWE.
Saturday? Then we are a bit mixed. (Consulting memorandum book.) It was the 26th that I left Liverpool, and I joined the Titanic on the 27th. I think you will find that correct. I distinctly remember now I received a telegram from the superintendent; word to the effect that I was to report to the office at 9 o'clock on the morning of 26th.
Senator SMITH.
No; you left Liverpool on the 26th.
Mr. LOWE.
On the 26th; that is, the night of the 26th. You see we had to call there for the ticket, and then we went over by night, and we arrived in Belfast the next morning at noon.
Senator SMITH.
Now let us get it just as it is. You left Liverpool -
Mr. LOWE.
We left Liverpool at 10 o'clock p. m on the 26th.
Senator SMITH.
And reached Belfast -
Mr. LOWE.
We arrived at Belfast at about noon on the 27th.
Senator SMITH.
And did you go aboard ship immediately?
Mr. LOWE.
We went straight aboard, sir, and reported ourselves to the chief officer. [William Murdoch was chief officer at the time. A later shuffling of officers in Southampton brought Wilde on as Chief, bumping Murdoch and Lightoller to First and Second, respectively. David Blair, the original second officer was bumped from the crew list.]
Senator SMITH.
When did the trial tests begin?
Mr. LOWE.
I think it was Tuesday.
Senator SMITH.
The following Tuesday?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
That would be April 2nd.
Mr. LOWE.
I do not know, sir. I suppose it would be if you say so.
Senator SMITH.
Well, look it up yourself. You are testifying. I am not testifying.
Mr. LOWE.
We did not get any special notice of these things -
Senator SMITH.
I am not criticizing you -
Mr. LOWE.
We have not started our voyage yet.
Senator SMITH.
I am not criticizing you. I simply want to know when you first saw this ship.
Mr. LOWE.
March 2 was Tuesday, sir.
Senator SMITH.
April.2, you mean. Let us get this just as you want it to appear in the record. You left Liverpool on the 26th?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes; at 10 o'clock p. m .
Senator SMITH.
And joined the Titanic at noon on the following day, the 27th?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When were the trial tests made?
Mr. LOWE.
They were due, I think, to be made on the Monday, but there was a bit of a breeze and we had to postpone it because of the breeze. It was squall in fact.
Senator SMITH.
So the trial tests did not take place on April 1?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Monday, that would be. They did not take place, then?
Mr. LOWE.
No.
Senator SMITH.
And they were postponed because there was a bit of a breeze?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes; because there was danger in getting them off the wharf.
Senator SMITH.
Off the wharf?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Well, when did the test take place?
Mr. LOWE.
It took place the following day.
Senator SMITH.
On Tuesday, April 2?
Mr. LOWE.
On Tuesday.
Senator SMITH.
In Belfast Lough?
Mr. LOWE.
In Belfast Lough; yes, sir. We steamed down. After we had done a few turns and twists we steamed down two hours. I really forget the names of the lightships now, because I don't know that coast, but, roughly we went out two hours on the outward passage and then it took us the same time, naturally, to come back again. That means four hours total steaming. We did take a few extra twists and turns and then came back again.
Senator SMITH.
How long did it take?
Mr. LOWE.
We left, I believe, at 2 o'clock and we anchored somewhere about 6.30 that evening. Altogether, the twists and turns took half an hour, and the steaming, maneuvering the ship, and testing her and all that. That is what I mean by twists and turns.
Senator SMITH.
Exactly; that is what I understood. During this test was her speed tested?
Mr. LOWE.
No. She was not really put to it. She has not been put to it yet.
Senator SMITH.
And never will be?
Mr. LOWE.
Never will be.
Senator SMITH.
You do not know how fast she could have gone?
Mr. LOWE.
I reckon she could easily do 24 or 25 knots.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know how many boilers were working the day the tests were made?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir; I do not, because that is outside of our sphere; altogether. We have nothing whatever to do with them. We have our own business, and we attend to it. We look after it, and attend to nobody else's.
Senator SMITH.
Have you any idea yourself, of the speed that boat made during the trial trips - trial tests?
Mr. LOWE.
I believe - but I am not sure - that it was about 20 1/2 or 21. I do not know, of course. I will not guarantee that what I state there is correct or true; but I state it to the best of my ability, that it was between 20 1/2 and 21 knots, that that is what she made.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know how many revolutions it would require to attain that speed?
Mr. LOWE.
No. We were working out a slip table, and we had not quite finished when she went down. All of us were on, working out a slip table, how many turns of the engine it would require to do so many knots; and all this, and it tapered down.
Senator SMITH.
That was not worked out by any one, so far as you know?
Mr. LOWE.
No; it was not.
Senator SMITH.
If it had been, would you have known it?
Mr. LOWE.
Certainly we would, because it would be in the chart room.
Senator SMITH.
When the maximum speed was obtained in the trial tests, was the ship in the open sea?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, between the heads - I think it is Copeland Point, or Copeland Head - between that and I think - mind you, I do not say that it is - I think it was Black Rock Lightship, somewhere between; because I do not know the coast.
Senator SMITH.
I do not ask you to guess at anything; I just ask if you know.
Mr. LOWE.
I just state to the best of my knowledge.
Senator SMITH.
When the turns or circles were made were they made in the open sea, or were they made inside?
Mr. LOWE.
Just inside, under the Copeland.
Senator SMITH.
Were there any turns except -
Mr. LOWE.
There was only the one turn in the open sea and that was when we were reversing our course, or when we were turning to make the return journey.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see any of the officers or directors of the White Star Line, or the International Co., aboard the Titanic when the tests were being made?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir; I did not. Anyhow, I would not know them if I did.
Senator SMITH.
Then you did not see them, of course; you did not know them, and could not tell?
Mr. LOWE.
Because I am a stranger.
Senator SMITH.
You did not know any of them?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
So. far as you know, were any of them aboard? Did you hear that any of them were aboard in the trial tests?
Mr. LOWE.
I was told that Mr. Ismay was on board, and two or three more, but I do not know who they were; and some of Messrs. Harland & Wolff's people.
Senator SMITH.
They were the builders?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Was Mr. Andrews aboard?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes; he was on board.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see him?
Mr. LOWE.
He was pointed out to me.
Senator SMITH.
Who was Mr. Andrews?
Mr. LOWE.
As far as I understand, the working head of Harland & Wolff.
Senator SMITH.
The builders; he represented the builders of the ship?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Did he make the voyage with the ship from Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Did he survive the catastrophe?
Mr. LOWE.
No.
Senator SMITH.
Was there any representative of the British Board of Trade on the Titanic during these trial tests?
Mr. LOWE.
I can not say, sir; I do not know, because we had nothing to do with it.
Senator SMITH.
You did not understand that there was from anyone?
Mr. LOWE.
Even if there was, they would not come and tell me.
Senator SMITH.
Exactly, but I mean, did you understand that there was any representative of the British Board of Trade aboard; did you hear it from anyone?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir. You must understand -
Senator SMITH.
That is enough. I do not ask you to elaborate it. After these trial tests, that took about four hours, where did the ship go?
Mr. LOWE.
She anchored in Belfast Lough.
Senator SMITH.
And how long did you remain there?
Mr. LOWE.
As near as I could tell, half an hour or three-quarters of an hour.
Senator SMITH.
Then what happened?
Mr. LOWE.
We sent all workmen ashore by tender to Belfast; and then, after sending all the workmen ashore by tender, we proceeded on our way to Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
That is, these were the workmen of the Harland & Wolff Co.?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Then where did you go?
Mr. LOWE.
We went down to Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
When did you reach Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
We reached Southampton, I do not know just when. Anyhow, it was in the night, sir. I do not know of what day.
Senator SMITH.
What night?
Mr. LOWE.
I could not tell you, sir. I do not remember.
Senator SMITH.
What night, with reference to your sailing from Southampton; the night you sailed?
Mr. LOWE.
That would be about 30 hours - Tuesday, Wednesday - Thursday night.
Senator SMITH.
You reached Southampton on Thursday night, about midnight?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Did you anchor or did you go to the wharf?
Mr. LOWE.
We went right up to the wharf.
Senator SMITH.
Did you remain on the ship?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you on duty that night?
Mr. LOWE.
I was on duty that day, sir; that is, from, half-past 9.
Senator SMITH.
In the morning?
Mr. LOWE.
A. m.; until half-past 5 p. m.
Senator SMITH.
And you were not on duty when the boat reached the wharf?
Mr. LOWE.
I was not on duty from the time the Titanic was taken out. It was taken in tow at half-past 9 that morning. I was below.
Senator SMITH.
This was Thursday night, midnight?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
When did the ship sail from Southampton for New York?
Mr. LOWE.
It sailed at noon on the 10th instant.
Senator SMITH.
Between Thursday, April 4, or Friday morning, April 5, and Wednesday noon, April 10, were you aboard ship performing your duties?
Mr. LOWE.
We are always on board performing our duties; that is, when it is our watch on.
Senator SMITH.
Exactly. And you did your work while the boat was at Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
During the time you were doing your work, did you have anything to do with drilling the men?
Mr. LOWE.
In what way, sir?
Senator SMITH.
Did you have fire drill or other practice while you were at Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
We had it once, but I really forget where.
Senator SMITH.
You had it once at Belfast, before leaving?
Mr. LOWE.
I do not know, I do not know, sir. We had it somewhere to other.
Senator SMITH.
Once?
Mr. LOWE.
Where I can not say.
Senator SMITH.
You can not say whether it was at Belfast or at Southampton?
Mr. LOWE.
No, sir; I can not remember.
Senator SMITH.
Was it at one or the other of these places?
Mr. LOWE.
I do not know certainly.
Senator SMITH.
That is, it was not on the voyage?
Mr. LOWE.
It was not after we left Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
It was not after you left Southampton. Of what did this drill consist?
Mr. LOWE.
It consists of -
Senator SMITH.
No; not what it "consists" of. What did that drill consist of?
Mr. LOWE.
Well, you muster your boat's crew.
Senator SMITH.
Go ahead.
Mr. LOWE.
And see that everything is all right, see that everything is in going order, and then you report to the officer that is going the rounds, and then he reports again to the chief officer, and then the chief officer reports to the commander of the ship.
Senator SMITH.
In the performance of that service does each officer have a station?
Mr. LOWE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where was your station?
Mr. LOWE.
My station was No. 11 boat.
Senator SMITH.
Which side of the ship?
Mr. LOWE.
That would be the starboard side.
Senator SMITH.
What other officers were on the starboard side?
Mr. LOWE.
I do not know, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you know any of the other officers at that time?
Mr. LOWE.
I was a total stranger in the ship and also to the run.
Senator SMITH.
Is that the reason why you are unable to tell who the officers were on the starboard side at their respective stations?
Mr. LOWE.
I do not know, sir. I suppose it will have something to do with it.
Senator SMITH.
Are you able to say that the officers were at their respective stations?
Mr. LOWE.
When, sir?
Senator SMITH.
At the time of this drill or inspection?
Mr. LOWE.
Certainly they were, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What was done at that drill? Were any of the lifeboats lowered?
Mr. LOWE.
I was lowered away and sent around the dock - no, let me see, now. This was at Southampton?
Senator SMITH.
At Southampton.
Mr. LOWE.
After the general muster at 8.30 - on the 10th that was - we manned two boats, Mr. Moody, the sixth officer, and myself.
Senator SMITH.
On which side of the ship?
Mr. LOWE.
On the starboard side, because you must remember that we were laying alongside of a wharf, now.
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