United States Senate Inquiry
Page 3
TESTIMONY OF Mr. J. BRUCE ISMAY.
Mr. ISMAY.
She arrived in Cherbourg that evening, having run over at 68 revolutions.
We left Cherbourg and proceeded to Queenstown. We arrived there, I think, about midday on Thursday.
We ran from Cherbourg to Queenstown at 70 revolutions.
After embarking the mails and passengers, we proceeded at 70 revolutions. I am not absolutely clear
what the first day's run was, whether it was 464 miles or 484 miles.
The second day the number of revolutions was increased. I think the number of revolutions on the second
day was about 72. I think we ran on the second day 519 miles.
The third day the revolutions were increased to 75, and I think we ran 546 or 549 miles.
The weather during this time was absolutely fine, with the exception, I think, of about 10 minutes'
fog one evening.
The accident took place on Sunday night. What the exact time was I do not know. I was in bed
myself, asleep, when the accident happened.
The ship sank, I am told, at 2:20.
That, sir, I think is all I can tell you.
I understand it has been stated that the ship was going at full speed. The ship never had been
at full speed. The full speed of the ship is 78 revolutions. She works up to 80. So far as I
am aware, she never exceeded 75 revolutions. She had not all her boilers on. None of the
single-ended boilers were on.
It was our intention, if we had fine weather on Monday afternoon or Tuesday, to drive the
ship at full speed. That, owing to the unfortunate catastrophe, never eventuated.
Senator SMITH. Will you describe what you did after the impact or collision?
Mr. ISMAY. I presume the impact awakened me. I lay in bed for a moment or two afterwards,
not realizing, probably, what had happened. Eventually I got up and walked along the passageway and
met one of the stewards, and said, "What has happened?" He said, "I do not know, sir."
I then went back into my room, put my coat on, and went up on the bridge, where I found Capt. Smith.
I asked him what had happened, and he said, "We have struck ice." I said, "Do you think the ship is
seriously damaged?" He said, "I am afraid she is."
I then went down below, I think it was, where I met Mr. Bell, the chief engineer, who was in the
main companionway. I asked if he thought the ship was seriously damaged, and he said he thought
she was, but was quite satisfied the pumps would keep her afloat.
I think I went back onto the bridge. I heard the order given to get the boats out. I walked
along to the starboard side of the ship, where I met one of the officers. I told him to get
the boats out -
Senator SMITH. What officer?
Mr. ISMAY. That I could not remember, sir.
I assisted, as best I could, getting the boats out and putting the women and children into the boats.
I stood upon that deck practically until I left the ship in the starboard collapsible boat,
which is the last boat to leave the ship, so far as I know. More than that I do not know.