MR. ISMAY’S REMARKS.
Turning to the subject of lifeboats, Mr. Ismay said he heard the captain give the order to lower the boats. “I then left the bridge.” Three boats, he said, he saw lowered and filled. In his own boat were four members of the crew and forty-five passengers.
“Was there any jostling or attempt by men to get into the boats?” asked Senator Smith. “I saw none.”
“How were the women selected?” “We picked the women and children as they stood nearest the rail.”
Representative Hughes handed Senator Smith a note, and then the chairman told Mr. Ismay that it was reported that the second lifeboat left without its full complement of oarsmen, and from 11.30 until 7.30 women were forced to row the boat. “I know nothing about it.”
Representative Hughes’ daughter was in this boat and was assigned to watch the cork in the boat and, if it came out, to use her finger as a stopper.
Then Senator Smith asked the circumstances under which he left the boat. “The boat was being filled,” began Mr. Ismay. “The officers called out to know if there were any more women to go. There were none. No passengers were on the deck. So as the boat was being lowered I got into it.”
“The ship was sinking?” asked Senator Smith. “The boat was sinking,” almost whispered Mr. Ismay.
“Was there any attempt to lower the boats of the Carpathia to take on passengers after you went aboard her?” asked Senator Smith. “There were no passengers there to take on,” said Mr. Ismay.
He said he saw no liferafts in the sea.
“How many lifeboats were there on the Titanic?” “Twenty altogether, I think,” said Mr. Ismay, “sixteen collapsible and four wooden boats.” Whether the boats were taken on board the Carpathia or not he did not know.
“It has been suggested,” Senator Smith continued, “that two of the lifeboats sank as soon as lowered. Do you know anything about that?” “I do not. I never heard of it, and I think all the lifeboats were accounted for.”