SENATOR SMITH: Was that all of the crew or officers that were in that boat?
MR. FLEET: That is all. No officers; just us two.
SENATOR SMITH: You and the quartermaster?
MR. FLEET: Me and Quartermaster Hichens.
SENATOR SMITH: Did he survive?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir; he is staying in New York.
SENATOR SMITH: After lowering the lifeboat to the boat deck, did he get in first or you?
MR. FLEET: I was told by Mr. Lightoller to get in the boat and help the women in.
SENATOR SMITH: You got in by direction of the second officer?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And helped the women in?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How many men were in that boat?
MR. FLEET: Five.
SENATOR SMITH: Who were they?
MR. FLEET: Three men passengers and two of the crew.
SENATOR SMITH: Who were the passengers?
MR. FLEET: I do not know. There was one steerage and two first.
SENATOR SMITH: You do not know who they were?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you ever seen them since?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How many women or children were there in the boat?
MR. FLEET: There was no children. They were all women. I could not tell how many because I did not count them.
SENATOR SMITH: Was the boat full?
MR. FLEET: It was full up, but it could have took a few more forward, where I was.
SENATOR SMITH: How many do you think you had in it all together?
MR. FLEET: About 30.
SENATOR SMITH: Was it the regular lifeboat, the large size?
MR. FLEET: One of the wooden lifeboats.
SENATOR SMITH: You got about 30 people in there, and then it was lowered to the water.
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And what did you do there?
MR. FLEET: We got the oars and pulled for the light that was on the port bow.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see it?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What happened then?
MR. FLEET: We could not get up to it.
SENATOR SMITH: Why not?
MR. FLEET: There were only two of us pulling.
SENATOR SMITH: You could not get up to it?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How close could you get to it?
MR. FLEET: She was getting away off.
SENATOR SMITH: At that time were there any persons in the water?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you hear any cries of distress?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: When you found you could not get up to it, what did you do?
MR. FLEET: We kept on pulling; that is all.
SENATOR SMITH: In that direction; away from the boat?
MR. FLEET: Away from the boat.
SENATOR SMITH: Away from the Titanic?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you keep right on pulling away?
MR. FLEET: We kept on pulling.
SENATOR SMITH: And did not stop?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Toward what did you pull?
MR. FLEET: We thought we could get up to this light, but we could not. It seemed to be getting away from us all the time.
SENATOR SMITH: What light was it?
MR. FLEET: It was a light on the port bow. She seemed to be abreast of us.
SENATOR SMITH: Are you now talking of the Titanic?
MR. FLEET: Abreast of the Titanic.
SENATOR SMITH: From the time you started to pull away from the Titanic's side, did anyone try to get into your boat?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did anyone try to get out of it?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did anyone step into your boat, man or woman, and then step out of it?
MR. FLEET: No, sir. There was just one passenger, when we was lowering away, come in the boat.
SENATOR SMITH: Who was that?
MR. FLEET: One of the men passengers.
SENATOR SMITH: Who was it; do you know?
MR. FLEET: I do not know who he was, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: When you were lowering away?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: How far had you gotten below the boat deck?
MR. FLEET: It was not very far; just about the length of the table down. He got over the life lanyard and swung in and come down the fall.
SENATOR SMITH: You took no other persons aboard this lifeboat from that time?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: And landed all of your occupants of that boat alongside of the Carpathia?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: During the time you were waiting for the Carpathia, were you rowing the boat away or lying on your oars?
MR. FLEET: We pulled until we were clear of the suction of the Titanic?
SENATOR SMITH: Pulled away from the Titanic?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Assuming there would be suction when she went down?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Was there any?
MR. FLEET: No, sir; we were too far off.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see her go down?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Why not?
MR. FLEET: The lights were out, and we were too far away.
SENATOR SMITH: You could not see her when she disappeared?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you picked up by the Carpathia, near the Titanic?
MR. FLEET: When we sighted the lights of the Carpathia, we pulled toward her again.
SENATOR SMITH: And were picked up by her?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir; right alongside.
SENATOR SMITH: After getting alongside the Carpathia you did not take your lifeboat back to the scene of the wreck?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You got aboard the Carpathia?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Were there lights of any other vessels in sight when you came down from the crow's nest?
MR. FLEET: There was no lights at all when we was up in the crow's nest. This is after we was down and on the boats; then I seen the light.
SENATOR SMITH: Where did you see it?
MR. FLEET: On the port bow. The other lookout reported it.
SENATOR SMITH: How far ahead?
MR. FLEET: It was not ahead. It was on the bow, about four points.
SENATOR SMITH: I am not speaking of that. I wanted to know whether you saw ahead, while you were on the watch, on the lookout, Sunday night, after the collision occurred or before, any lights of any other ship.
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: You saw no lights at all?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see any rockets fired from the deck of the Titanic?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir; when we were in the boat and when we were on the deck before I went in the boat.
SENATOR SMITH: But you saw no lights ahead that indicated the presence of another vessel?
MR.FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Or while you were in the crow's nest?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Nor any other object except the one you have described?
MR. FLEET: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see any other icebergs, field ice, or growlers while you were in the crow's nest Sunday or Sunday night?
MR. FLEET: Only the one I reported right ahead.
SENATOR SMITH: Only that one?
MR. FLEET: That is all.
SENATOR SMITH: I think that is all at this time, and if I want you again I will send you word. Will you just remain subject to the committee's call?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR NEWLANDS: I want to ask just one question. Can you see with glasses at night as well as during the day?
MR. FLEET: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: What color were the lights toward which you were pulling when you were on the lifeboat?
MR. FLEET: A bright light.
SENATOR SMITH: White­­­
MR. FLEET: (interrupting). White; yes.
SENATOR SMITH: White, green, or what?
MR. FLEET: A white light.
SENATOR SMITH: How many were there?
MR. FLEET: One.
SENATOR SMITH: I wish you would return at half past 3, Mr. Fleet, and I would like also to have Maj. Peuchen present at 3:30 as well. We will take a recess at this time until half past 3.
Thereupon, at 2:25 p.m., the committee took a recess until 3:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The subcommittee reconvened at 3:55 o'clock p.m., Senator William Alden Smith (chairman) presiding.
SENATOR SMITH: Mr. Fleet, I will not have you resume the stand immediately. I want to put Maj. Peuchen on.
TESTIMONY OF MAJ. ARTHUR G. PEUCHEN
The witness was sworn by the chairman.
SENATOR SMITH: Will you kindly give the reporter your full name?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Arthur Godfrey Peuchen.
SENATOR SMITH: Where do you reside?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Toronto, Canada.
SENATOR SMITH: How old are you?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Fifty­three.
SENATOR SMITH: What is your business?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Manufacturer of chemicals.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you hold any official rank in the military or civic affairs of Great Britain?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I am a major in the Canadian militia.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you aboard the vessel Titanic when it sailed from Southampton?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I was.
SENATOR SMITH: When did you board the vessel?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Twenty minutes before sailing, I should say; half an hour.
SENATOR SMITH: What time did she sail?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I think a little after 12; a little after noon.
SENATOR SMITH: What day of the week?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: On Wednesday, the 10th.
SENATOR SMITH: Of April?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you make the trip from Belfast Lough to Southampton?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; oh, no.
SENATOR SMITH: Had you ever seen this ship before?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Never.
SENATOR SMITH: Were you accompanied by anyone?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes; several gentlemen friends.
SENATOR SMITH: Who?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Mr. Markleham Molson, a codirector of mine, was my personal friend on the trip; Mr. Allison and Mrs. Allison.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were they from?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Montreal.
SENATOR SMITH: All were Canadians?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Canadians; Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you friends survive?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; they were all lost.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were you located on the vessel? Where were your quarters and where were your friends located?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I was located on C deck, stateroom 104, and they were located on A deck, I think A­2. I forget Mr. Allison's number, but most of my friends were on A deck.
SENATOR SMITH: That was the deck just above yours?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No, sir; two above.
SENATOR SMITH: Two above; yes. And A deck was just below the boat deck?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Just below.
SENATOR SMITH: The upper deck?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Just below the bridge, I should think; just below the upper deck. I guess you are right, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know any of the passengers that were on C deck?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No, I can not say that I do.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know any other passengers on A deck than those you have named?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes, several.
SENATOR SMITH: Who?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Mr. Hugo Ross.
SENATOR SMITH: Give his address, if you can.
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Mr. Hugo Ross, of Winnipeg; Mr. Beatty, of Winnipeg; Mr. McCaffrey, of Vancouver.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were they located?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: On A deck.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know the rooms?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Mr. Hugo Ross, who was my friend, I think was in A­12, and the others were in A­8, and numbers similar to that close by.
SENATOR SMITH: Did they survive?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you know any other passengers on the Titanic on this voyage from Southampton or from Queenstown?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Mr. Charles M. Hays, of Montreal.
SENATOR SMITH: Who was he?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: He is the president and general manager of the Grand Trunk Railroad. Mr. Davidson, his son­in­law, of Montreal; Mr. Fortune and his son, of Winnipeg.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know where they were located on the ship?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; I do not sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you see them aboard ship?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes; talked to them all.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know whether they survived?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No, sir; they were all lost, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: If I understood you correctly, you do not know on which deck Mr. Hays or the other persons referred to were?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; outside of I know where Mr. Beatty and Mr. McCaffrey were.
SENATOR SMITH: Where were they?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: They were in A, as I have already described. The others, I did not know where they were.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you know any other passengers?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Oh, I met a number of other passengers.
SENATOR SMITH: Who?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I met Mrs. Gibson and Miss Gibson, of New York, and Mr. Foreman, of New York. These people I did not know as well. The others I knew before coming on the boat.
SENATOR SMITH: If you can recall the names of any others you met, I wish you would do so.
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I met a number that were saved, afterwards on the Carpathia ­ on the other boat.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you meet aboard ship any of the others who were lost?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I do not think I met many more. Outside of my own circle of friends, which were about 10 ­ we were only three days out ­ I do not remember meeting very many more. I talked to a number, but not to meet them.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you recall having seen a list of the passengers?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: After you sailed from Southampton?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes; I looked over the list.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you retain the list?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No, sir; I did not. There were only about one or two retained by the survivors.
SENATOR SMITH: Do you know who has one?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I saw them copying one in the smoking room of the Carpathia; only one, I think.
SENATOR SMITH: Who had it?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I do not remember. It was a young man, a fair young man, who was in the smoking room.
SENATOR SMITH: You do not remember his name?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: I do not remember; no, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you seen him since?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No, sir; not since leaving the boat.
SENATOR SMITH: Did this list of passengers show the location of the passengers on the boat?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; only the names.
SENATOR SMITH: Just the names?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes.
SENATOR SMITH: Were they taken in alphabetical order?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: Yes; in alphabetical order.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you ask this person on the Carpathia to let you have a list of them?
MAJ. PEUCHEN: No; I did not sir. Several were making copies of them.
SENATOR SMITH: Major, I wish you would tell the committee in your own way, beginning from the time you boarded the ship, the Titanic, at Southampton, the condition of the weather on the voyage; whether or not any accident occurred before the collision where the boat was lost; whether there was any fire aboard the ship between Southampton and the place of the catastrophe; whether you saw any drill of officers or men; and as nearly as you can, in your own way, what took place from the time the Titanic sailed. You may proceed in your own way and take your own time, and you will not be interrupted until you finish.
