MR. BRIDE: In the first place, the Californian had called me, sir, with an ice report. I was rather busy just for the minute, and I did not take it. She did not call again. She transmitted the ice report to the Baltic, and as she was transmitting it to the Baltic, I took it down. I took it to the captain; but it was not official, because it was not intended for me afterwards.
SENATOR SMITH: Was the attempt made first upon you?
MR. BRIDE: First on me; yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And being unable to get ;you, they tried to get the Baltic?
MR. BRIDE: It was about half an hour after that they transmitted it to the Baltic.
SENATOR SMITH: Why were they unable to get you?
MR. BRIDE: I was doing some writing at the time, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You mean you were taking some messages?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir; I was writing some accounts.
SENATOR SMITH: You were writing some accounts?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Where?
MR. BRIDE: On the operating table.
SENATOR SMITH: On the operating table?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you have this instrument off your head at the time?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you aware that the Californian was trying to get you?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You continued your work on the accounts, if I understand you correctly?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And did not respond to the Californian?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: For 30 minutes?
MR. BRIDE: I do not think it was quite 30 minutes.
SENATOR SMITH: How long a time was it?
MR. BRIDE: It may have been. It would have been somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. I can not say definitely.
SENATOR SMITH: Just what hour was this?
MR. BRIDE: Late in the afternoon.
SENATOR SMITH: Of Sunday?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir. I should say it was about 5 o'clock.
SENATOR SMITH: About six hours before that calamity occurred?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did your work continue for about 20 or 30 minutes on the accounts?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: After you had finished, what did you do?
MR. BRIDE: I still remained on watch until dinner time.
SENATOR SMITH: Had you had any other wireless communications regarding the proximity of icebergs?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: This information that you got from the Californian was the first information?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And that you received about half past 5 o'clock, the afternoon of Sunday?
MR. BRIDE: I should say it was nearer 5 o'clock, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: When you took it?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Then, when the first call was made it must have been about half past 4 o'clock?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: The ship being under steam and moving all the time?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: When you got this call from the Californian which was intended for the Baltic, what did you do?
MR. BRIDE: I simply waited until she informed the Baltic. It was an ice report. Then I knew it would be the same one she had for me, so I took it down.
SENATOR SMITH: And delivered it?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir. I acknowledged it to the Californian before I delivered it.
SENATOR SMITH: You acknowledged it?
MR. BRIDE: I acknowledged the receipt of it.
SENATOR SMITH: How much time elapsed while you were waiting to confirm this report through the Baltic?
MR. BRIDE: I did not confirm it through the Baltic. I confirmed it direct to the Californian.
SENATOR SMITH: Confirmed it with the Californian?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: In your acknowledgement?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How much time elapsed?
MR. BRIDE: I should say about four minutes.
SENATOR SMITH: What did you say; in confirming this report to the Californian?
MR. BRIDE: I gave the usual acknowledgement of receipt, "R.D.," the Marconi signal.
SENATOR SMITH: R.D. indicates "received"?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And you said nothing more?
MR. BRIDE: Nothing more.
SENATOR SMITH: But you are certain that the Californian knew that you had this message?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did they respond directly?
MR. BRIDE: They simply gave the usual finish signal, "T.I.S." ­ "M.L.W.'
SENATOR SMITH: After you had put the R.D. on?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: So that you knew they were aware of the fact that you had received this message?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Now, once more I would like to have you tell the exact language of that message.
MR. BRIDE: It stated the Californian had passed three large icebergs, and gave their latitude and longitude.
SENATOR SMITH: That they had passed three large icebergs?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And gave their latitude and longitude?
MR. BRIDE: Yes; that she had passed very close to them.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you recollect what the latitude and longitude were?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir; indeed, I do not.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you make a record of this communication?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir; I made it on a slip of paper and handed it to the bridge.
SENATOR SMITH: Intending to make a permanent record of it?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Are you not obliged to make a record of it?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: The reason you made no record of this message was because it was not official?
MR. BRIDE: It was not official, sir. If we kept a record of all these messages we should never be able to get through our work.
SENATOR SMITH: If it had been official you would have preserved it?
MR. BRIDE: I should have preserved it.
SENATOR SMITH: And made permanent record of it?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You took that message to the captain?
MR. BRIDE: The officer on the bridge.
SENATOR SMITH: Who was the officer on the bridge?
MR. BRIDE: I could not say, sir; I do not know the officers, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Was it Mr. Lightoller?
MR. BRIDE: I could not tell you.
SENATOR SMITH: You do not know whether it was the first or second officer?
MR. BRIDE: I did not know any of the officers there; I did not know what watches they were keeping.
SENATOR SMITH: You did not know what watches they were keeping?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You took it to the officer on the bridge?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, on the bridge.
SENATOR SMITH: At what hour?
MR. BRIDE: A little after 5, sir
SENATOR SMITH: A little after 5?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Was that officer Mr. Murdock?
MR. BRIDE: I could not tell you, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know Mr. Murdock?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir; I know the officers by sight, but I do not know their names.
SENATOR SMITH: Mr. Murdock was first officer and he was in charge of the lookout at that time. Can you verify that in any way?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you communicate this message to the captain?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir; I gave it to the officer on watch, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: I just wanted to know whether you communicated it to the captain, yourself?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You communicated it to the officer in charge of the watch who had charge of the ship at the time?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you receive any other communications regarding icebergs?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: From any ship, that afternoon or evening?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did Mr. Phillips receive a message from the Amerika?
MR. BRIDE: Not to my knowledge, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You did not receive one from the Amerika?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You are very certain about that?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Are you also very certain that the only message you received regarding icebergs was received from the Californian?
MR. BRIDE: Personally; yes, sir. As to what Mr. Phillips received, I can not say.
SENATOR SMITH: No; I am not asking you that. Now, once more: Did Mr. Phillips at any time say to you that a message had been received from any other ship on that subject?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Who was on duty at the wireless station from 6 o'clock Sunday evening until the collision or impact?
MR. BRIDE: I was on duty for half an hour, sir, while Mr. Phillips went and had his dinner.
SENATOR SMITH: At what hour?
MR. BRIDE: From 7 o'clock until half past.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you after that, up to the time of the collision?
MR. BRIDE: At the time of the collision?
SENATOR SMITH: Up to the time of the collision?
MR. BRIDE: I was in bed.
SENATOR SMITH: You had retired?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: In a room adjacent to the apparatus?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you and Mr. Phillips both occupy that room?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How far was it from the apparatus?
MR. BRIDE: Just next door to it.
SENATOR SMITH: With a door between?
MR. BRIDE: There was a door between; yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Could you enter immediately from the apparatus or operating room, to the bedroom?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You retired at what time?
MR. BRIDE: It was just about 8 o'clock.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you in bed when the collision occurred?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you asleep?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you awakened by it?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How were you awakened?
MR. BRIDE: I woke up of my own accord.
SENATOR SMITH: No one aroused you after that impact?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How long did you lie in bed after the collision?
MR. BRIDE: I could not tell you, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did Mr. Phillips not arouse you?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Or attempt to do so?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know what time you arose from your bed?
MR. BRIDE: It must have been about a quarter to 12, sir; about 5 minutes to 12, ship's time.
SENATOR SMITH: Five minutes to 12, ship's time?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What time did the collision occur?
MR. BRIDE: I could not say, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You remained in bed until 12:05?
MR. BRIDE: I think it was this side of 12, sir; it was about 5 minutes to 12.
SENATOR SMITH: Then you must have been aroused somewhat by the impact?
MR. BRIDE: No, I promised to relieve Mr. Phillips earlier than usual, you see.
SENATOR SMITH: Earlier than usual, that night?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: And you awakened yourself?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you arise immediately?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And dress yourself?
MR. BRIDE: I went out to speak to him before I dressed. I only had pajamas on.
SENATOR SMITH: Before you put your clothes on?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What did you say to him?
MR. BRIDE: I asked him how he was getting on.
SENATOR SMITH: What did he say?
MR. BRIDE: He had a big batch of telegrams from Cape Race that he had just finished.
SENATOR SMITH: He told you that?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Had he finished his work?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: This was after the collision?
MR. BRIDE: After the collision.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you remain in the operating room?
MR. BRIDE: I got dressed first.
SENATOR SMITH: You returned to the bedroom and got dressed?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: During that time did Mr. Phillips tell you that the boat had been injured?
MR. BRIDE: He told me that he thought she had got damaged in some way and that he expected that we should have to go back to Harlan & Wolff's.
SENATOR SMITH: Those are the builders, at Belfast?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: What did you do then?
MR. BRIDE: I took over the watch from him.
SENATOR SMITH: You took the watch from him?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Where did he go?
MR. BRIDE: He was going to retire, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did he retire?
MR. BRIDE: He got inside of the other room when the captain came in, then.
SENATOR SMITH: The captain came in?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Personally?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: To the operating room?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What did the captain say?
MR. BRIDE: He told us that we had better get assistance.
SENATOR SMITH: Can you tell us in his language?
MR. BRIDE: That is exactly what he said. He said, "You had better get assistance." When Mr. Phillips heard him he came out and asked him if he wanted him to use a distress call. He said, "Yes, at once."
SENATOR SMITH: Who sent this call?
MR. BRIDE: Mr. Phillips.
SENATOR SMITH: He responded to the captain's desire?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And you turned the apparatus over to him?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Was the message sent immediately?
MR. BRIDE: Immediately.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know what the message was?
MR. BRIDE: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Please state it.
MR. BRIDE: C. Q. D. about half a dozen times; M.G.Y. half a dozen times.
SENATOR SMITH: Will you kindly explain the meaning of these letters or that code?
MR. BRIDE: C. Q. D. is a recognized distress call; M.G.Y. is the code call of the Titanic.
SENATOR SMITH: Is C. Q. D. in itself composed of the first letters of three words or merely a code?
MR. BRIDE: Merely a code, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: But one recognized by operators as important and as a distress call?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How long after that call was sent out was it before you got a reply?
MR. BRIDE: As far as I know, immediately, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Within two or three minutes?
MR. BRIDE: You see I could read what Mr. Phillips was sending, but I could not get the answers because he had the telephones.
SENATOR SMITH: You knew what he had sent, but you did not know what he received in reply?
MR. BRIDE: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Right at this point; I; am going to ask Mr. Marconi if he will us what C. Q.D. means, literally.
MR. MARCONI: It is a conventional signal.
SENATOR SMITH: You mean it is in accordance with the international convention?
MR. MARCONI: No; it is not. It is a conventional signal which was introduced originally by my company to express a state of danger or peril of a ship that sends it.
MR. UHLER: It is an arbitrary signal?
MR. MARCONI: It is arbitrary, but it is conventional. Everyone understands it. "C.Q." means "All stations," does it not, Mr. Bride?
MR. BRIDE: Yes, sir.
MR. MARCONI: C. Q. is the call for all stations. If you call C. Q. on a ship it means "all other stations stand at attention, and reply." I did not make the signal originally. I presume the object was to indicate, in a certain way, to all stations, the danger or peril that existed.
MR. KIRLIN: Or distress?
MR. MARCONI: Or distress, yes. I should add that the international danger signal, introduced or decided on by the Berlin convention, is S. O. S.
