JOHN MCWILLIAMS,
Manager, Great Northwestern Telegraph, Father Point,
Sworn.
Examined by Mr. Newcombe:
4487. Are you in charge of the Great Northwestern Telegraph at Father Point?
- Yes, I am manager of the Great Northwestern Telegraph Company, Meteorological observer, signal officer, and I look after the interests of the steamers at Father Point, the different liners.
4488. Will you state what your knowledge is with regard to communications sent out on the night of the 29th of May in regard to the accident to the Empress?
- On the 29th of May, after having prepared the Empress' mail and sent it on board by the boat that went off for the pilot, I assured myself that the land communication was correct©r the Mr 3 coni service, and then I went and turned in. This was at 12.30 a.m. Shortly before 2 I was awakened by the S.O.S. signal on my door bell, rung by the Marconi operator, who had been sent over by Mr. Whiteside to advise me of the danger signal he had got from the Empress. I rushed downstairs- in my night dress and on opening the door he told me the news. I asked him if the Lady Evelyn had been advised and if the Eureka had been advised. He said: The Lady Evelyn has been advised, but the Eureka is not in yet. Then I looked out and I saw the Eureka coming in towards the wharf. Have you notified the Hanovert She is the nearest vessel in the vicinity to go to the rescue. The answer I got back was that they had called the Hanover but had not been able to get her so far. I asked the young operator, as he was dressed, to run down and meet Captain Belanger coming into Father Point and I would seize the telephone.
4489. Captain Belanger of the Eureka?
- Of the Eureka, yes. As soon as he arrived at the wharf he connected with the telephone at once, the first act he did on going down to his room. Holding the telephone in my hand I heard the Marconi operator, Mr. Whiteside, give the signal to the Eureka, Captain Belanger of the Eureka called me at once with two rings—we were on a party line—and said, I have just got news that there has been an accident to the Empress. I said yes, for God’s sake, rush. I heard his two “ all rights ” and I could hear him in the distance as he was moving away; he had evidently left his receiver unhung. After that I spent the rest of the night between my office and outside with my telescope to see if I could be of any use and I was there when the Eureka came in with the first boat load of survivors.
By Mr. Haight:
4490. Do I understand that the boy who was sent to call you rang the S.O.S. signal on your door bell?
- On my door bell, yes. It was not a boy; he was the Marconi operator who gave evidence a short time ago.
(Witness discharged.)