He said the ship was not in proximity to icebergs Saturday or Sunday, although he knew the ship would be near ice on Sunday night. The witness said he knew nothing of the Amerika and the Titanic talking by wireless about icebergs.
Senator Smith asked if he sought to send any wireless messages from the Titanic after she struck. He said not.
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.