MR. PITMAN: He may have been up there a half a dozen times in a watch.
SENATOR SMITH: Half a dozen times in four hours?
MR. PITMAN: Four hours; yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And during those visits to the bridge you can not recall hearing the captain speak about proximity to ice?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see any ice, yourself, on Sunday? Did you notice any change in the temperature of the weather?
MR. PITMAN: Yes. That would not denote anything at all, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You do not think that would denote anything?
MR. PITMAN: No, because in this country and in our own country we will probably want no clothes on at all, and the next day we will want overcoats, winter clothes, and that is not due to ice.
SENATOR SMITH: You have been a navigator for a good many years?
MR. PITMAN: I have been an officer for about 14 years.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever been up to the Grand Banks before?
MR. PITMAN: The Banks of Newfoundland?
SENATOR SMITH: Yes; crossing them in the months of August to January? Did you ever cross them before in the month of April?
MR. PITMAN: We never did, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever seen any ice in that part of the sea, the North Atlantic?
MR. PITMAN: One small berg.
SENATOR SMITH: Where?
MR. PITMAN: I can not recollect exactly where it was, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: As a matter of fact, do you not know that before ice is seen at all from the deck of a ship the ice will often indicate its presence? Does not the reflection of the rays from the sun or the moon tell some definite story about the proximity of ice?
MR. PITMAN: It may do so in the Arctic region, but never in the Atlantic Ocean.
SENATOR SMITH: Never in the north Atlantic Ocean?
MR. PITMAN: There is not sufficient ice there to cause that.
SENATOR SMITH: On a clear day, over the ice on the horizon is it not true that the sky is much paler or lighter in color and distinguishable from that overhead?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: In the north Atlantic?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: On a clear day icebergs can be seen for a long distance, can they not?
MR. PITMAN: It depends on their size.
SENATOR SMITH: If they are, say, a hundred feet high.
MR. PITMAN: Oh, yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Readily?
MR. PITMAN: Oh, yes; they can be seen some distance. Of course, it depends on the atmosphere, and whether the sun is shining or not.
SENATOR SMITH: Does foggy weather make any difference in seeing an iceberg?
MR. PITMAN: Of course you would not see it so far.
SENATOR SMITH: As a matter of fact, during foggy weather are not icebergs seen through the fog by their apparent blackness?
MR. PITMAN: That may be so. I have never seen them, though.
SENATOR SMITH: You have never seen them. Are there any other signs known to mariners by which icebergs may be discovered, or their proximity known?
MR. PITMAN: I do not think there are any signs at all, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Is it not a fact that there is an echo in the vicinity of an iceberg?
MR. PITMAN: I never heard of it, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: From a steam whistle or foghorn?
MR. PITMAN: I never experienced it, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You heard what Mr. Boxhall said yesterday about knowing that there were icebergs because he could hear the wash while he was going in the lifeboat from the Titanic to the Carpathia?
MR. PITMAN: Oh, that is quite possible, because were only about half a mile from them then, or possibly less than that. There was perfect silence.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever heard such noises as that?
MR. PITMAN: Never, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know how the proximity of an iceberg can be tested, mathematically?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you ever hear of it?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir. As regards the temperature of the water, it is absolutely useless.
SENATOR SMITH: The temperature of the water is absolutely useless?
MR. PITMAN: Absolutely useless.
SENATOR SMITH: In your opinion?
MR. PITMAN: I have proven it.
SENATOR SMITH: Has anybody ever told you that, knowing the time between the blast of a whistle at sea and the reflected sound, the distance in feet may be found by multiplying by a certain numeral?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Five hundred and fifty?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And none of these signs were familiar to you?
MR. PITMAN: None, whatever, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you ever hear anything about them before?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How about the explosion of an iceberg? Do you know that icebergs explode when they come down from the Arctic region and strike the warmer Gulf stream; that the cold and the heat often cause a load explosion?
MR. PITMAN: Scientists say so, but we have no proof of that.
SENATOR SMITH: You have never found it so?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And have never heard these explosions?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever thought that the absence of swell or wave motion in a fresh breeze is a sign that there is land or ice on the weather side of the ship?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you regard the presence of seal herds or flocks of birds as in any way indicating the proximity of land?
MR. PITMAN: Certainly not.
SENATOR SMITH: Or icebergs?
MR. PITMAN: Certainly not. We have them in the southern ocean all the way across, for thousands of miles ­ flocks of birds.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you ever have any ice in the southern ocean?
MR. PITMAN: Occasionally, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever seen any there?
MR. PITMAN: I have, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How large a growler or berg?
MR. PITMAN: One I saw about 18 months ago, and there were three, as a matter of fact­­
SENATOR SMITH: Where did you see them?
MR. PITMAN: Off the Falkland Islands. One was about 700 feet long and 600 feet wide and fully 500 feet high.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you surprised to see it?
MR. PITMAN: Not at all, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You expected to see it?
MR. PITMAN: What do you mean? Oh, I thought you meant the size of it. No; we did not expect to see ice.
SENATOR SMITH: But, as a matter of fact, you found it?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir; in the daylight.
SENATOR SMITH: How close were you to this berg you speak of?
MR. PITMAN: About a mile, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What was the color?
MR. PITMAN: When the sun was shining on it, it was a perfect white.
SENATOR SMITH: What time of the day or night did you see it first?
MR. PITMAN: In the morning, about 8 o'clock.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see it in the night at all?
MR. PITMAN: I did not, sir; when the sun was not shining on it, it looked like a perfectly black berg, like a huge island, and that is where I proved that the temperature of the water is absolutely no indication of icebergs.
SENATOR SMITH: How about the temperature of the air?
MR. PITMAN: No; it was not affected at all.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you mean to say that it never is affected by the prevalence of field ice or icebergs?
MR. PITMAN: No; I would say that it would not be, after my experience with ice.
SENATOR SMITH: Is it not a fact that the temperature of the air falls as ice approaches?
MR. PITMAN: It may do so.
SENATOR SMITH: What about this iceberg that you saw in southern waters?
MR. PITMAN: It did not affect the temperature in the slightest.
SENATOR SMITH: Which side of the ship would be apt to realize that fall of temperature first?
MR. PITMAN: The weather side.
SENATOR SMITH: The leeward?
MR. PITMAN: No; the weather side; the windward side.
SENATOR SMITH: I ask you whether the fall of the temperature of the sea water is not sometimes a sign of the proximity of an iceberg?
MR. PITMAN: I should never put any reliance in it myself, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know of your own knowledge that water was taken from the sea every two hours during the journey from Southampton to the place of the accident?
MR. PITMAN: That is so, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What was it taken for?
MR. PITMAN: Well, it is a custom in the ships.
SENATOR SMITH: It is not a mere custom, is it; it must have some meaning?
MR. PITMAN: And it is for meteorological observation.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know of your own knowledge whether any tests of the temperature of that water were made on board the Titanic?
MR. PITMAN: They are made every two hours, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: I mean the temperature, the water taken and then the temperature tested?
MR. PITMAN: Every two hours, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know that that was done?
MR. PITMAN: Yes; the quartermaster does that every two hours.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you personally see it done on this voyage?
MR. PITMAN: I did not, sir. I have seen the men going to do it.
SENATOR SMITH: How did they do it; by lowering a bucket into the water or lowering a bottle?
MR. PITMAN: We usually have a canvas bucket which they lower into the water.
SENATOR SMITH: Did this boat have a canvas bucket on it?
MR. PITMAN: It did not. We did not have time to make one. They were using a tin.
SENATOR SMITH: What was it attached to?
MR. PITMAN: A piece of rope long enough to reach the water.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see the rope?
MR. PITMAN: I did not, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And you did not see this temporary bucket put into the water?
MR. PITMAN: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You stated a few moments ago that the second officer, I believe, reported ice Saturday night?
MR. PITMAN: No; I said the fourth officer.
SENATOR SMITH: Mr. Lowe?
MR. PITMAN: Mr. Boxhall.
SENATOR SMITH: You said Mr. Boxhall reported ice Saturday night, and that it was marked on the chart with a cross. Was this mark on the chart on or near the ship's course?
MR. PITMAN: As far as I can recollect, it was to the northward of the course; to the north of our track.
SENATOR SMITH: How far?
MR. PITMAN: I did not measure it, sir; and I have not the slightest idea of the position of it.
SENATOR SMITH: Was the ship on its proper course?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: If I am correctly advised, the course of ships now sailing from port to port in the sea is recognized as standard so far as the customary routes of travel are concerned. Am I right?
MR. PITMAN: Certain firms.
SENATOR SMITH: Did this apply to the White Star Line?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir; a majority of the big passenger lines stick to this particular track.
SENATOR SMITH: It has been said that this particular ship was on the northerly course. Now, then, will you tell the committee the distinction between what is commonly regarded as the northerly course and the southerly course?
MR. PITMAN: Well, they are two different tracks. One is followed from the 14th of August to the 14th of January, and the other is followed from the 14th of January to the 14th of August. The latter is the southern track.
SENATOR SMITH: One is followed by ships bound east and the other by ships bound west?
MR. PITMAN: That is right, sir. It would be much easier to explain it on a chart.
SENATOR SMITH: Like a double­track railroad?
MR. PITMAN: Exactly.
SENATOR SMITH: These two tracks, if I understand correctly, were the recognized and customary tracks for ships to take at that time of the year, the principal steamship lines?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir; the principal lines that run to America.
SENATOR SMITH: Just preceding the sinking of the Titanic, was she on the course commonly taken by ships sailing from Southampton to New York, or was she on the course commonly taken by ships sailing from New York to Southampton?
MR. PITMAN: She was on the course followed by ships coming from the English Channel to New York.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you make that statement because of the position of the ship at the time of the collision?
MR. PITMAN: I do not quite understand you.
SENATOR SMITH: You know the latitude and longitude of this ship when she struck the iceberg?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did that indicate to you that she was on the true course?
MR. PITMAN: Exactly. She was right on the line.
SENATOR SMITH: Then, when the course was put on the chart, which you saw, indicating the prevalence of ice, did that indicate that it was on the course your ship was taking?
MR. PITMAN: Oh, no. It was way to the north.
SENATOR SMITH: How far to the north?
MR. PITMAN: I did not measure the distance, and so I can not say.
SENATOR SMITH: Well, as a matter of fact, did you see any ice there Sunday?
MR. PITMAN: I saw none, sir, up to Monday morning.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see it Monday morning?
MR. PITMAN: At the break of day; yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you when you saw it?
MR. PITMAN: In a boat.
SENATOR SMITH: In a lifeboat?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you going ­ from the Titanic to the Carpathia?
MR. PITMAN: At that time; yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How much ice did you see then?
MR. PITMAN: There were numerous bergs around me, maybe half a dozen; but I was not sufficiently interested to count them.
SENATOR SMITH: Were these bergs high above the water?
MR. PITMAN: Some were.
SENATOR SMITH: How high?
MR. PITMAN: Some may have been 100 feet or 150 feet.
SENATOR SMITH: That high above the water?
MR. PITMAN: That high above the water; yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How high was the Titanic, about 70 feet from the water's edge?
MR. PITMAN: Well, the boat deck was.
SENATOR SMITH: The upper deck was about 70 feet from the water's edge.
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: These icebergs that you saw at daybreak Monday morning after the accident were, some of them, as high as 150 feet high?
MR. PITMAN: I should think so, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How many of the larger ones of that kind were there?
MR. PITMAN: I did not count them, sir. I was more interested in the people in my boat.
SENATOR SMITH: Well, one or two?
MR. PITMAN: I really could not say, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you on Sunday evening immediately preceding the collision?
MR. PITMAN: In my bunk; in bed.
SENATOR SMITH: What were the hours of your watch that night?
MR. PITMAN: I was on the bridge from 6 to 8 o'clock p.m.
SENATOR SMITH: Whom did you see on the bridge, if anyone, that night between 6 and 8 o'clock?
MR. PITMAN: The commander and the second officer.
SENATOR SMITH: The captain?
MR. PITMAN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You call him the commander in that event?
MR. PITMAN: Some do.
SENATOR SMITH: I just wanted to be sure that you referred to the captain. What time was he on the bridge; all the time that you were on watch?
MR. PITMAN: No; I could not say that, sir, because I was inside working out observations.
SENATOR SMITH: Whenever you went to the bridge, from 6 to 8 o'clock, do you recall having seen the captain?
