(The witness was sworn by the chairman.)
Senator SMITH.
Where do you reside?
Mr. EVANS.
Seaforth, Liverpool.
Senator SMITH.
How old are you?
Mr. EVANS.
Twenty years old, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What is your business?
Mr. EVANS.
Wireless operator on the Californian, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How long have you been a wireless operator?
Mr. EVANS.
Just over six months.
Senator SMITH.
Have you had any special training in that field?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What?
Mr. EVANS.
I had 10 months at the Marconi school, the same school as Bride, the junior operator on the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
What other ships than the Californian have you ever been employed on?
Mr. EVANS.
On the Cedric, sir; the White Star boat.
Senator SMITH.
Any others?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
How long were you on the Cedric?
Mr. EVANS.
One trip, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When was that made?
Mr. EVANS.
I don't know exactly, sir. I have had three trips on the Californian.
Senator SMITH.
You have been on the Californian ever since you left the Cedric?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where were you Sunday, April 14?
Mr. EVANS.
From 7 o'clock in the morning until half-past 8 I was on duty. From half-past 8 to 9 I was having my breakfast. From 9 o'clock to half-past 12 I was on watch. From 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock I was on watch. From 3 o'clock to half-past 5. At half-past 5 I had my dinner. From 6 o'clock I was on watch. I was on watch until 5 and 20 minutes past 11. I heard the Titanic working. I put down the phones and I turned in.
Senator SMITH.
What time did you receive the C.Q.D. call from the Titanic Sunday night?
Mr. EVANS.
I did not receive, it, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You did not receive it at all?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What time did you communicate with the Titanic?
Mr. EVANS.
In the afternoon, sir. I was sending a message to the Antillian, of our line. I was sending an ice report, handed in by the skipper, sir. I was sending to the Antillian and the Titanic called me up and we exchanged signals, exchanged an official T.R. We call it a T.R. when a ship gets in communication with another. I said, "Here is a message; an ice report." He said, "It's all right, old man." He said. "I heard you send to the Antillian." He said, "Bi." That is an expression used among ourselves.
Senator SMITH.
What does it mean?
Mr. EVANS.
It is an expression used. It means to say "enough," "finished."
Senator SMITH.
Through?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Does it mean good-by?
Mr. EVANS.
No; it does not mean good-by.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know with what operator you were communicating on the Titanic?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether it was Phillips or Bride?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir; I do not know who was on watch.
Senator SMITH.
Bride had been in school with you?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir. I do not know who was on the Titanic, though.
Senator SMITH.
And did you know Phillips?
Mr. EVANS.
I had met Phillips in the London office.
Senator SMITH.
You do not recall which one it was you spoke with that night?
Mr. EVANS.
You never know who is on watch unless the operator is inclined to talk and tell you his name. Then you get to know the name of the person operating at the other end.
Senator SMITH.
When that message was sent by you, do you recall the time, exactly?
Mr. EVANS.
(consulting memorandum). It was sent at 5.30 p. m., New York time, on the 10th of April, sir. I worked New York time.
Senator SMITH.
What did the message say?
Mr. EVANS.
I have the message here, sir, but I have not had authority from my company to disclose it.
Senator SMITH.
Well, I think you may disclose it with perfect propriety. It was our understanding with Mr. Marconi that this information would be obtained. Are you a Marconi operator?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
If you are willing to disclose it, with that assurance, I will be glad to have you read it.
Mr. EVANS.
It is a master service message, handed in on the 14th of April from the Californian to "Captain, Antillian."
It is dated 6.30 p. m. "A.T.S." which means apparent time ship.
Latitude 42 3 north, longitude 49 9 west. Three large bergs 5 miles to southward of us. Regards.
(Sig.) Lord.
Senator SMITH.
I would like to know the date?
Mr. EVANS.
I said it was handed in on the 14th, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Sunday, the 14th?
Mr. EVANS.
Handed in, and sent the same day.
Senator SMITH.
And is the hour given?
Mr. EVANS.
The sent date was 5.35 p.m., New York time.
Senator SMITH.
When did you next communicate with the Titanic and what was the message you sent or received?
Mr. EVANS.
9.05 New York time, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What day?
Mr. EVANS.
Mr. EVANS.
On the 14th, sir, the same evening, New York time, that is. I went outside of my room just before that, about five minutes before that and we were stopped, and I went to the captain and I asked him if there was anything the matter. The captain told me he was going to stop because of the ice, and the captain asked me if I had any boats, and I said the Titanic. He said "Better advise him we are surrounded by ice and stopped." So I went to my cabin, and at 9.05 New York time I called him up. I said "Say, old man, we are stopped and surrounded by ice." He turned around and said "Shut up, shut up, I am busy; I am working Cape Race," and at that I jammed him.
Senator SMITH.
What do you mean by that?
Mr. EVANS.
By jamming we mean when somebody is sending a message to somebody else and you start to send at the same time, you jam him. He does not get his message. I was stronger than Cape Race. Therefore my signals came in with a bang, and he could read me and he could not read Cape Race.
Senator SMITH.
Was that the last time you heard from the Titanic that night?
Mr. EVANS.
The last time I exchanged signals with them? I heard them working at 11.25.
Senator SMITH.
Heard him working?
Mr. EVANS.
Working Cape Race. He was still working Cape Race, sending messages.
Senator SMITH.
That was at what time?
Mr. EVANS.
11.25 Sunday night.
Senator SMITH.
That was 15 minutes before the Titanic struck the iceberg, or was that New York time?
Mr. EVANS.
That was 11.25 ship's time.
Senator SMITH.
After you jammed him, as you say, you heard nothing further from him direct?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You picked up some wireless messages from him that were directed to Cape Race?
Mr. EVANS.
I had the phone on my ear, and heard him sending, but I did not take them down.
Senator SMITH.
You had the phones on your ears?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you heard him sending those messages?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
But you did not take them down?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What were those messages that you heard, as nearly as you can recollect?
Mr. EVANS.
They were private messages.
Senator SMITH.
Can you recollect what they were?
Mr. EVANS.
You mean did I read these messages?
Senator SMITH.
Could you read them, or can you remember them?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Have you got them?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Then you are unable to furnish the committee with the contents of those private messages from the Titanic to the Cape Race station?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether they had any reference to ice?
Mr. EVANS.
I have no recollection, sir. I generally keep my ears open for anything about ice, if I hear anything about ice, and always take it down - ice or derelicts. I always take it down. I would not be positive I did not hear anything about ice, but I do not recollect anything.
Senator SMITH.
What time did you retire that night?
Mr. EVANS.
At 11.25 I still had the phones on my ears and heard him still working Cape Race, about two or three minutes before the half hour ship's time, that was, and at 11.35 I put the phones down and took off my clothes and turned in.
Senator SMITH.
When were you awakened?
Mr. EVANS.
About 3.30 a. m., New York time.
Senator SMITH.
And who awakened you?
Mr. EVANS.
The chief officer.
Senator SMITH.
What did he say to you?
Mr. EVANS.
He said, "There is a ship that has been firing rockets in the night. Please see if there is anything the matter."
Senator SMITH.
What ship's officer was that?
Mr. EVANS.
The chief officer of our ship, Mr. Stewart.
Senator SMITH.
He said rockets had been fired during the night?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And he would like to have you see if there was anything the matter?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What did you do?
Mr. EVANS.
I jumped out of bed, slipped on a pair of trousers and a pair of slippers, and I went at once to my key and started my motor and gave "C.Q." About a second later I was answered by the Frankfurt, "D.K.D., Dft." The "Dft," is the Frankfurt's call. He told me the Titanic had sunk.
Senator SMITH.
He told you the Titanic had sunk?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You went to your operating room?
Mr. EVANS.
My bunk is in the same room as the apparatus.
Senator SMITH.
You put the telephone on your head?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And received from the Frankfurt -
Mr. EVANS. (interrupting)
I started my motor first, and called. I called "C.Q."- C.Q. means all stations, some one answer - and gave my own code signal. The D.F.T. answered me. He said, "Do you know the Titanic has sunk during the night, collided with an iceberg?" I said, "No; please give me the latest position." He gave me the position. I put the position down on a slip of paper, and then I said, "Thanks, old man," to the German operator, and then the Virginian started to call me, "M.G.M." He started to call me up, and I told him to go. I answered him and told him to go. He said, "Do you know the Titanic had sunk?" I said, "Yes, the Frankfurt has just told me." I sent them a message of my own, what we call a service message, that an operator can always make up if he wants to find out something. I sent a service message, and said, "Please send me official message regarding Titanic, giving position."
Senator SMITH.
Have you got with you the message you received from the Frankfurt at 3.40 Monday morning?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir; that was not an official message; that was only a conversation. But a few minutes after that I got an official message from the Virginian.
Senator SMITH.
I would like any message, if you have it, that you received from the Frankfurt.
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir; I have none.
Senator SMITH.
You have none at all?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir. The only thing he gave me was the position of the Titanic. He did not send me an official message.
Senator SMITH.
He gave you more than the position of the Titanic. He told you the Titanic had sunk.
Mr. EVANS.
He simply told me the Titanic had sunk.
Senator SMITH.
Then he gave you her position?
Mr. EVANS.
Yes, sir. The chief officer was in the room, and I said, "Wait a moment; I will get an official message." I got the official message and the positions were both the same. The position I got from the Virginian and the position I got from the Frankfurt were both the same. I sent that up to the skipper. I did not have time to date the message. I dated my own copy of the message, but I did not get the name of the ship on either, or the date, or who it was addressed to, in my hurry.
Senator SMITH.
Did you have any difficulty whatever working with the Frankfurt operator?
Mr. EVANS.
Not then, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you afterwards?
Mr. EVANS.
He was jamming a little afterwards, and interfering when I was trying to get the Carpathia.
Senator SMITH.
Did the Frankfurt operator say anything to you about his having received a C.Q.D. call from the Titanic immediately after she had struck the iceberg?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did he say anything to you about having received a rebuff from the operator of the Titanic?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you understand that the operator of the Titanic, after he had given the Frankfurt the C.Q.D. call, had waited 20 minutes before he had received any reply and then received a reply from the Frankfurt, asking what was the matter and that he then said to the Frankfurt, "You are a fool, keep out?"
Did you hear anything of that kind from the Frankfurt operator?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Or from anyone else?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir; only from the papers when I got in.
Senator SMITH.
Did you know the Frankfurt's position when she gave the message that the Titanic had sunk?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir. He told me he was about 30 or 40 miles off. I remember that. He did not give me the official position, no, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did he give you an unofficial position?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
That is, the longitude and latitude?
Mr. EVANS.
No, sir.