W. J. Perkis, Quartermaster (Am. Inq., p. 581):
I lowered No. 4 into the water and left that boat and walked aft; and I came back and a man that was in the boat, one of the seamen, sang out to me: “We need another hand down here,” so I slid down the lifeline there from the davit into the boat. I took charge of the boat after I got in, with two sailormen besides myself. There were forty-two, including all hands. We picked up eight people afterwards swimming with life-preservers when about a ship’s length away from the ship. No. 4 was the last big boat on the port side to leave the ship. Two that were picked up died in the boat—a seaman (Lyons) and a steward (Siebert). All the others were passengers. After we picked up the men I could not hear any more cries anywhere. The discipline on board the ship was excellent. Every man knew his station and took it. There was no excitement whatever among the officers or crew, the firemen or stewards. They conducted themselves the same as they would if it were a minor, everyday occurrence.
Senator Perkins (addressing Perkis, Symons and Hogg:)
All three of you seem to be pretty capable young men and have had a great deal of experience at sea, and yet you have never been wrecked?
Mr. Perkis: Yes, sir.
Senator Perkins: Is there any other one of you who has been in a shipwreck?
Mr. Hogg: I have been in a collision, Senator, but with no loss of life.
Senator Perkins: Unless you have something more to state that you think will throw light on this subject, that will be all, and we thank you for what you have said.
Mr. Hogg: That is all I have to say except this: I think the women ought to have a gold medal on their breasts. God bless them. I will always raise my hat to a woman after what I saw.
Senator Perkins: What countrywomen were they?