“Was that all of it?” “No, the operator said, I think, ‘come at once—this is a distress message. C. Q. D.’” Cottam testified.
When word of the Titanic’s distress was received, Operator Cottam said he immediately sent them the position of the Carpathia and added that they would hurry to the rescue.
“Get any reply to that?” asked Senator Smith. “Yes, sir; immediately. They acknowledged receipt of it.”
The witness said the next communication with the Titanic was four minutes later, when he confirmed the position of both vessels. At this juncture the Frankfurt, of the North German Lloyd Line, broke in on the communication, having heard the Titanic’s call for help. Later the steamship Olympic also replied.
“What did you do then?” asked Senator Smith. “I called the attention of the Titanic to the Olympic’s efforts to raise it,” answered the witness. “The Titanic replied it could not hear because of the rush of air and the noise made by the escaping steam.”
Immediately after telling the Titanic of the Olympic’s attempt to get in communication with her, the former, the witness said, sought the Olympic’s aid, reporting that it was “head down” and giving its position. The Baltic broke in at this time, but its efforts to reach the Titanic were without avail.
“I was in communication with the Titanic at regular intervals until the final message,” said Cottam. “This was ‘come quick; our engine room is filling up to the boilers.’”
“What was your condition?” asked Senator Smith. “I was desperately tired. I was worked out,” answered Cottam, who was then excused.
The committee adjourned at 10.20 o’clock to meet at 10 o’clock the next morning.