Senator BOURNE.
Kindly state your age?
Mr. BRICE.
Forty-two.
Senator BOURNE.
And your residence?
Mr. BRICE.
Eleven Lower Canal Walk, Southampton.
Senator BOURNE.
And your occupation?
Mr. BRICE.
Seaman, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Able-bodied seaman?
Mr. BRICE.
Able-bodied seaman.
Senator BOURNE.
How long have you been rated as a first class, able-bodied seaman?
Mr. BRICE.
Twenty-two years, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Have you been on sailing ships or steamships all the time?
Mr. BRICE.
Sailing and steam ships?
Senator BOURNE.
Both?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
How long have you been with the White Star Co.?
Mr. BRICE.
I have been in three ships.
Senator BOURNE.
What ships?
Mr. BRICE.
The Majestic - twice in her - the Oceanic, and the Titanic.
Senator BOURNE.
When did you join the Titanic?
Mr. BRICE.
On Monday, sir. I signed on Monday and joined her on Wednesday.
Senator BOURNE.
You were on her at the time of the accident?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Were you on watch when the accident occurred?
Mr. BRICE.
I was on watch, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
How long watch did they have on the Titanic?
Mr. BRICE.
Four hours, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Four on and four off?
Mr. BRICE.
Four on, sir, and four off, with the exception of double watches. Then you go two on and two off.
Senator BOURNE.
That is customary in all boats?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
What time did you go on watch on the day the accident occurred?
Mr. BRICE.
Eight o'clock.
Senator BOURNE.
You were on until 12?
Mr. BRICE.
On until 12.
Senator BOURNE.
Where were you at the time of accident?
Mr. BRICE.
Outside of the seamen's mess room, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
What was your duty during that watch?
Mr. BRICE.
We were doing nothing, sir, as it was Sunday night.
Senator BOURNE.
If it had been a week night what would have been your duty?
Mr. BRICE.
We would have been washing the deck, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Even though it was between 10 and 12 o'clock at night you would have been washing the deck?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
On Sunday nights you do not do that?
Mr. BRICE.
They excuse us from washing deck Sunday night.
Senator BOURNE.
Will you kindly tell in your own way what occurred, and what impression it made on your mind, at the time of the occurrence of the accident, and what followed afterwards until you left the ship?
Mr. BRICE.
I went outside of the seamen's mess room, when I heard a crash and felt the effect of the crash, as it were -
Senator BOURNE.
How severe a motion was it? Did it throw you off of your feet, at all?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir. It was like a heavy vibration. It was not a violent shock.
Senator BOURNE.
There was no jar?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; not a bad jar, as you would call it.
Senator BOURNE.
But it made a noise?
Mr. BRICE.
A rumbling noise, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
That continued how long?
Mr. BRICE.
About 10 seconds; somewhere about that.
Senator BOURNE.
What did you think it was?
Mr. BRICE.
I had no idea, sir, at the time, until I went on the forewell deck and saw ice on the deck.
Senator BOURNE.
Which was your boat?
Mr. BRICE.
No. 11 boat, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
That was your boat to which you were allotted when you joined the ship?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
How soon after you joined the ship did you receive notice of your allotment to No. 11?
Mr. BRICE.
I joined the ship, and the lists were put up about Friday, you might say, sir; I will not be sure.
Senator BOURNE.
Was there any notice posted that any boat drill was to take place?
Mr. BRICE.
The only boat drill, sir, was on the day of leaving.
Senator BOURNE.
No notice was posted as to drills?
Mr. BRICE.
There was one notice given for the emergency boat crews. There were men told off.
Senator BOURNE.
What day was the notice posted for the emergency boat drill?
Mr. BRICE.
That would be the same day, Thursday morning; they were told off for the emergency boat crew in case of accident. They were mustered at the boats every evening at 6 o'clock; mustered by a junior officer, and then dismissed.
Senator BOURNE.
After you went to No. 11 boat, what did you do?
Mr. BRICE.
The boat was filled from A deck, sir; there was an officer said, "Is there a sailor in the boat?" Which officer it was I could not say, amongst the crowd. There was only one officer that I knew, and that was Mr. Lightoller. There was no answer. I jumped out and went down the fall into the bow of the boat. There was nobody in the stern of the boat. I went aft and shipped the rudder, and in that time the boat had been filled with women and children.
Senator BOURNE.
But before it was lowered?
Mr. BRICE.
It was lowered to A deck, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
You went down the fall, from where you were, down to A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
And shipped the rudder?
Mr. BRICE.
Shipped the rudder, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Then you helped load the boat with women and children?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; I was in the boat.
Senator BOURNE.
I said, you helped load it?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; I was shipping the rudder, sir, during the time the boat was being filled.
Senator BOURNE.
Were you in the boat when it was lowered from the boat deck to A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
I helped to lower the boat from the boat deck to A deck.
Senator BOURNE.
You helped to lower the boat from the boat deck down to A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Then you went down the fall?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
And you went aft and began shipping the rudder?
Mr. BRICE.
I went aft and began shipping the rudder, and during the time I was shipping the rudder the boat was being filled. They lowered the boat, sir. We had a bit of difficulty in keeping the boat clear of an outlet, a big body of water coming from the ship's side. The after block got jammed, but I think that must have been on account of the trip not being pushed right down to disconnect the block from the boat. We managed to keep the boat clear from this body of water coming from the ship's side.
Senator BOURNE.
What was this body of water coming from the ship's side? Was it the bilge water, or what was it?
Mr. BRICE.
It was the pump discharge.
Senator BOURNE.
Then what?
Mr. BRICE.
When we got the block clear of the boat, we pulled away from the ship.
Senator BOURNE.
Did the officer know that you were in the boat?
Mr. BRICE.
Well, I do not know which officer it was, sir, because I could not see who it was.
Senator BOURNE.
Did you have your complement in that boat that you were in the stern of?
Mr. BRICE.
I was in the bow of the boat in the first place, and then I went to the stern, and there I remained.
Senator BOURNE.
When did the man who was in the bow of the boat get in? Did he get in on the A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
He was not in the boat above the A deck. He must have got in from the A deck.
Senator BOURNE.
There were only two seamen in the boat, then?
Mr. BRICE.
Two seamen.
Senator BOURNE.
Were there any others besides those and the women and children already in?
Mr. BRICE.
Only a fireman and about six stewards.
Senator BOURNE.
There were directed by the officer to get in?
Mr. BRICE.
I could not say, sir. I was busy shipping the rudder during the time the boat was being filled.
Senator BOURNE.
How many passengers did you get into No. 11 boat?
Mr. BRICE.
About 60, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Sixty?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Then you had, besides, 60 passengers -
Mr. BRICE.
I mean 60 all told, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Fifty-two passengers, 6 stewards, yourself, and your mate?
Mr. BRICE.
And one fireman, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Then you had only 51 passengers?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes.
Senator BOURNE.
Were there any women or children who tried to get into the boat, who were unable to do so?
Mr. BRICE.
Not that I saw, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Or any other passengers?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; there was no rush, or any panic whatever, that I saw. Everything was done quietly.
Senator BOURNE.
There was perfect order and discipline?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Were the other boats, or any of the other boats, loaded from the A deck, except your boat, No. 11?
Mr. BRICE.
No. 9 went out from A deck. I lowered the boat from the boat deck to A deck - No. 9. When it was loaded, I lowered it down to the water.
Senator BOURNE.
You lowered it; but I say were any of the other boats filled with passengers from the A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
I think they were all lowered to A deck, as it was easier for passengers to get in from A deck.
Senator BOURNE.
Then the passengers got aboard from A deck?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Who had charge of the boat?
Mr. BRICE.
Mr. Humphreys.
Senator BOURNE.
What was his position?
Mr. BRICE.
He was an able seaman.
Senator BOURNE.
Who designated him to take charge of the boat, the officer?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
He took charge?
Mr. BRICE.
He took charge himself.
Senator BOURNE.
Why did he take charge in preference to you? Did he rank you?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
You were equal in rank?
Mr. BRICE.
The only difference was that he was on the saloon deck.
Senator BOURNE.
He took charge?
Mr. BRICE.
He took charge.
Senator BOURNE.
What did you do after you reached the water with the boat?
Mr. BRICE.
We pulled away from the ship, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
How far?
Mr. BRICE.
I suppose about a quarter of a mile from the ship.
Senator BOURNE.
Under Mr. Humphreys direction, or were you directed from the ship?
Mr. BRICE.
Under our own direction. We had nobody to give us any orders at all.
Senator BOURNE.
You pulled away about a quarter of a mile?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Were there other boats pulling away about the same time?
Mr. BRICE.
There was one boat ahead of us that we could see.
Senator BOURNE.
Did you have a light on your boat?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; no lantern, sir. I searched for the lantern. I cut the lashing from the oil bottle and cut rope and made torches.
Senator BOURNE.
Any provisions and water in the boat at all?
Mr. BRICE.
I could not say that, sir, because we never bothered to look.
Senator BOURNE.
Was it your impression that the Titanic was going to sink, or did you think she would float; that she was non-sinkable?
Mr. BRICE.
I did not think she was going to sink.
Senator BOURNE.
Did you see her sink?
Mr. BRICE.
I saw her sink.
Senator BOURNE.
Did she go bow down first?
Mr. BRICE.
Bow down first.
Senator BOURNE.
Did her stern rise in the air?
Mr. BRICE.
She went down almost perpendicular.
Senator BOURNE.
Were the lights still in the stern as she sank?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir; she became a black mass before she made the final plunge.
Senator BOURNE.
You were about a quarter of a mile away?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Was there any explosion that you heard?
Mr. BRICE.
I heard two rumbling noises.
Senator BOURNE.
After she began to go bow down or before?
Mr. BRICE.
She was well down.
Senator BOURNE.
How far apart in time, probably, were the two explosions?
Mr. BRICE.
From 8 to 10 minutes.
Senator BOURNE.
The lights were out?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
When the first explosion occurred, were the lights out?
Mr. BRICE.
The lights were still on in the after-end of the ship after the first and second explosions.
Senator BOURNE.
Have you any idea whether she broke in two or not?
Mr. BRICE.
That I could not say, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Did you figure that your boat was loaded to full capacity when you rowed away from the ship?
Mr. BRICE.
You could not get to pull a stroke on the oar at all; she was packed.
Senator BOURNE.
What made you assume it would have been dangerous to take on another passenger?
Mr. BRICE.
It would not have been dangerous to take two or three, but there was somebody there giving orders about the boat, whoever he was; I do not know; I could not say. When you are loading a boat it all depends on the weather how many you can load on a boat.
Senator BOURNE.
How long did you rest on your oars after you had gotten about a mile from the ship?
Mr. BRICE.
We did not do any pulling at all, sir; only keeping the boat up head to the wind.
Senator BOURNE.
How long did you remain that way?
Mr. BRICE.
Until we saw the Carpathia.
Senator BOURNE.
A couple of hours?
Mr. BRICE.
I suppose it would be, sir, a couple of hours or more.
Senator BOURNE.
Did any other boat come in your vicinity?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir. There was one ahead of us and one directly astern of us.
Senator BOURNE.
None of the regular ship's officers took charge of your boat, at all?
Mr. BRICE.
None at all, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Have you heard any criticism raised on the part of the men as to the management of the ship, at all, or any blame attached to anyone because of this catastrophe, in any way?
Mr. BRICE.
I have not, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
And the Titanic was as well managed as any of the ships you have sailed on in the 22 years you have been an able seaman?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Did you ever serve as a lookout and go into the eyes of a ship to look out for ice, or in a fog?
Mr. BRICE.
I have served as lookout, but not on the White Star Line.
Senator BOURNE.
Those are the crow's-nest men?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Had you ever had any experience with ice before?
Mr. BRICE.
Never, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
You never went down in the boiler room?
Mr. BRICE.
No, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
The White Star management has a good reputation among the mariners and sailors; I mean, the boys like to ship on their line?
Mr. BRICE.
I never have heard anything bad said about them.
Senator BOURNE.
They stand as well as any line, so far as their treatment of their men is concerned and the wages paid, and all?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir; in all of the ships I have been in.
Senator BOURNE.
After you left the ship were there any of the passengers or men transferred from No. 11 to any other boat?
Mr. BRICE.
None at all, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
And you picked up none from the sea?
Mr. BRICE.
We picked up none; no, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
Did not see any?
Mr. BRICE.
We did not see any.
Senator BOURNE.
What was the idea of going a quarter of a mile away from the ship when she was sinking? Did you fear the suction of her going down?
Mr. BRICE.
Well, that is the idea, sir; the suction.
Senator BOURNE.
The general impression is that in the sinking of a ship an enormous suction is created that may take down other boats in the vicinity?
Mr. BRICE.
Yes, sir.
Senator BOURNE.
How many male passengers did you have among the 51 passengers that you had in the boat? Were they all women and children?
Mr. BRICE.
Well, about 45 women and about 4 or 5 children in arms.
Senator BOURNE.
Any male passengers at all?
Mr. BRICE.
None at all, sir; not that I saw.
Senator BOURNE.
We are very much obliged to you.
(Witness Excused.)
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