BOTH CARED FOR A WOMAN
Phillips kept on sending, however, while I buckled on his lifebelt and put on my own. Then we both cared for a woman who had fainted and who had been brought into our cabin.
“Then, about ten minutes before the ship sank, Captain Smith gave word for every one to look to his own safety. I sprang to aid the men struggling to launch the liferaft and we had succeeded in getting it to the edge of the boat when a giant wave carried it away.
“I went with it and found myself underneath. Struggling through an eternity, I finally emerged and was swimming one hundred and fifty feet from the Titanic when she went down. I felt no suction as the vessel plunged.
“I did not see Mr. Ismay at all. Captain Smith stuck to the bridge and, turning, I saw him jump just as the vessel glided into the depths. He had not donned a life belt, so far as I could see, and went down with the ship.”
The witness showed so plainly the mental and physical strain under which he was laboring that both Senators Newlands and Reed urged Senator Smith to excuse him. After a few more interrogations Senator Smith did so.
“I regret extremely having had to subject you to such an ordeal,” he said, addressing Bride, “because of your condition. I would have avoided it, if possible, but the committee thanks you most heartily for the forbearance you have shown and the frankness of your testimony.”
Senator Smith then called what he evidently expected to be one of the most important witnesses, Harold S. Bride, the sole surviving wireless operator of the Titanic.
Crippled as a result of his experiences, he was wheeled in an invalid’s chair to the table where the committee sat.
“Contrary to the usual procedure,” said Senator Smith, rising in his place, “I must place you under oath. Raise your right hand.”