MR. JONES: When I saw the water coming up to the forecastle head I made sure she was going down, or something was going to happen.
SENATOR NEWLANDS: Did you yourself feel that the ship was in danger?
MR. JONES: I felt so then; I did not believe it before.
SENATOR NEWLANDS: You saw that at the very first, did you not, after you got out in the lifeboat?
MR. JONES: No; she took a long time before the water got there.
SENATOR NEWLANDS: That was when you were in your boat?
MR. JONES: Yes; after we went away from the ship.
SENATOR NEWLANDS: Is there anything else you would like to say in regard to this matter?
MR. JONES: No; I think not, sir. I have nothing more to say.
Witness excused.
The taking of testimony before Senator Perkins was begun at 5:30 o'clock p.m.
TESTIMONY OF G. SYMONS.
[Testimony taken separately before Senator Perkins on behalf of the subcommittee.]
Mr. Symons was sworn by Senator Perkins.
SENATOR PERKINS: Where is you home port?
MR. SYMONS: Weymouth.
SENATOR PERKINS: Weymouth, England?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you a sailor on the steamer Titanic?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: How long have you followed the sea?
MR. SYMONS: Eight and a half years.
SENATOR PERKINS: As a sailor man?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Tell me, in a general way, what happened when the ship went down and when she was struck?
MR. SYMONS: I was on the watch below at the time. I was asleep at the time the Titanic struck.
SENATOR PERKINS: It was your watch hour below?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir. I came on deck and I saw the ice, and then I dressed myself and waited.
SENATOR PERKINS: Which watch were you in on the ship?
MR. SYMONS: I was on the lookout on the 8 to 10 watch. I came off at 10 o'clock.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you one of the six lookout men?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: After she struck the iceberg you were in the bunk below?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Was there much vibration to the ship?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; nothing to speak of, I thought. It was only a slight jar; a grinding noise.
SENATOR PERKINS: You state that when you came on deck there was ice on the forecastle of the Titanic?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir; on the starboard side.
SENATOR PERKINS: Was there any quantity of it?
MR. SYMONS: Not such a great quantity, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: You did not think any serious injury had occurred to the ship?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: After that, what did you do?
MR. SYMONS: I was ordered up to the boats by the boatswain.
SENATOR PERKINS: You were ordered up to which boats?
MR. SYMONS: To the starboard boats. I went to No. 3 first. From there we unstripped the covers right down through.
SENATOR PERKINS: Who had charge of the boat?
MR. SYMONS: No. 3?
SENATOR PERKINS: Yes.
MR. SYMONS: I could not say.
SENATOR PERKINS: Was it one of the quartermasters?
MR. SYMONS: I believe it was, sir. I could not say for certain. I do not know.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you stay by the boat and go in her?
MR. SYMONS: I stayed by the boats. I helped lower No. 3. From there I was sent down to No. 5.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many were in the boat when she was lowered?
MR. SYMONS: I could not say for certain.
SENATOR PERKINS: Approximately, how many? Were there 10 or 20?
MR. SYMONS: I should say, roughly, about 40, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: There were 40 in the boat when she was swinging in the davits?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir; when she was hanging in the davits.
SENATOR PERKINS: Who handled the falls of the boat?
MR. SYMONS: I handled the forward fall. I could not say who handled the after fall.
SENATOR PERKINS: How were these boats detached from your tackle? Did you have a patent hook on your boat?
MR. SYMONS: We had the patent levers; one in the bow and one in the stern.
SENATOR PERKINS: Yes. Did they work simultaneously?
MR. SYMONS: Yes; they worked together.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you in your boat?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; I just helped lower it.
SENATOR PERKINS: Then you went to what other boat?
MR. SYMONS: I was sent to No. 5, and assisted there. I cleared the fall.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you get in her?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: What boat did you go from the ship in?
MR. SYMONS: No. 1.
SENATOR PERKINS: Who was in command of her?
MR. SYMONS: I was.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many passengers did you have on her?
MR. SYMONS: From 14 to 20.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were they passengers or crew?
MR. SYMONS: They were passengers. At first they put in seven of the crew. There were seven men ordered in; two seamen and five firemen. They were ordered in by Mr. Murdock.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many did this boat carry?
MR. SYMONS: I could not say for certain. It was one of the small accident boats.
SENATOR PERKINS: After she got into the water, would she take any more?
MR. SYMONS: She would have taken more.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many did you have, all told?
MR. SYMONS: I would not say for certain. It was 14 or 20. Then we were ordered away.
SENATOR PERKINS: You did not return to the ship again?
MR. SYMONS: Yes; we came back after the ship was gone, and we saw nothing.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you rescue anyone that was in the water?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; we saw nothing when we came back.
SENATOR PERKINS: Was there any confusion or excitement among the passengers?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; nothing whatever. It was just the same as if it was an every­day affair.
SENATOR PERKINS: Was there any rush to get into either one of these boats?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; I never saw it. I never saw any rush whatsoever.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you hear any cries of people in the water?
MR. SYMONS: Oh, yes, sir; I heard the cries.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you say your boat could take more? Did you make any effort to get them?
MR. SYMONS: Yes; we came back; but when we came back we did not see anybody nor hear anybody.
SENATOR PERKINS: Then what did you do after that?
MR. SYMONS: After we rowed around, we rowed around and picked up with another boat and both stuck together; one boat with a lot of people.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you pass a painter from one boat to another?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; we went close to her. They did not want any assistance, as the women were pulling. I asked if they wanted any assistance, and they would not take it. They said they could pull through.
SENATOR PERKINS: Your boat could have accommodated more?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many more, probably?
MR. SYMONS: I should say that she could have accommodated, easily, 10 more.
SENATOR PERKINS: And you made no effort to fill her; and you were in charge of her?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir; I was. I was ordered away by Mr. Murdock, the first officer. He ordered the boat to be lowered.
SENATOR PERKINS: But you did not pull back to the ship again?
MR. SYMONS: Not until she went down, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Then you went and pulled over to the ship. Where did you go after that?
MR. SYMONS: After she got down, I went around to one of the other boats and found she never had a sailor in her, and I accompanied that boat.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many sailormen did you have in your boat?
MR. SYMONS: Two.
SENATOR PERKINS: And no others of the crew; no firemen or stewards?
MR. SYMONS: No stewards whatever, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: And no firemen or coal passers?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir; five firemen. They were put in by Mr. Murdock.
SENATOR PERKINS: Before she was lowered from the davits?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: When were you on the lookout?
MR. SYMONS: From 8 to 10, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you discover any icebergs?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; we had the order at 9:30 from Mr. Lightoller to keep a sharp lookout for ice, and we passed it on at 10 o'clock.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you in the crow's nest?
MR. SYMONS: Yes.
SENATOR PERKINS: It was a perfectly starlight night, and clear?
MR. SYMONS: Yes; it was a very clear night.
SENATOR PERKINS: How as the sea?
MR. SYMONS: It was calm, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: You went from the crow's nest, after you struck the iceberg, and went down and reported to Mr. Murdock?
MR. SYMONS: When I came from the crow's nest I went to my bunk and turned in, because it was my watch below from 10 to 2.
SENATOR PERKINS: Where were you when she struck the iceberg?
MR. SYMONS: I was asleep, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: You came on deck immediately?
MR. SYMONS: Yes.
SENATOR PERKINS: Ten were you assigned to any particular boat?
MR. SYMONS: My name was put in for No. 1. I went into No. 1, and from there I went to the other boats.
SENATOR PERKINS: After the lowering; when you had assisted in lowering the other boats?
MR. SYMONS: Yes, sir; after I had assisted in lowering the other boats, then I was ordered in my own boat.
SENATOR PERKINS: You say you made no attempt to save any other people after you were ordered to pull away from the ship by Mr. Murdock?
MR. SYMONS: I pulled off and then came back after the ship had gone down.
SENATOR PERKINS: And then there were no people there?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; I never saw any.
SENATOR PERKINS: Is there any other incident that you wish to state that would be of interest to the public?
MR. SYMONS: No, sir; not that I know of.
SENATOR PERKINS: I would rather you would make the statement without any particular questions. You say there was no confusion, no excitement.
MR. SYMONS: None whatever, sir; it was just the same as if it was an everyday occurrence.
SENATOR PERKINS: Where was the captain at this time?
MR. SYMONS: The last I saw of him he was on the bridge, sir. That was just before I went away in boat No. 1.
SENATOR PERKINS: Mr. Murdock was the first officer?
MR. SYMONS: Yes; he was in charge of the lowering of the boat.
SENATOR PERKINS: The captain was on the bridge?
MR. SYMONS: The last I saw of him; yes, sir.
TESTIMONY OF G. A. HOGG.
[Testimony taken separately before Senator Perkins on behalf of the subcommittee.]
Mr. Hogg was sworn by Senator Perkins.
SENATOR PERKINS: Where is your home port?
MR. HOGG: Hull, near Yorkshire.
SENATOR PERKINS: How long have you followed the sea?
MR. HOGG: About 13 years, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: In what capacity?
MR. HOGG: As a sailorman.
SENATOR PERKINS: Have you been quartermaster or boatswain?
MR. HOGG: I have been quartermaster in six boats. I was mate on the White Star Line; lookout man, boatswain's mate.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you on the ship's articles as the lookout man in this case?
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: What watch were you on?
MR. HOGG: My watch was from 12 to 2, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Were you in the crow's nest when the vessel struck the iceberg?
MR. HOGG: I woke up about 20 minutes to 12.
SENATOR PERKINS: You were in your bunk at that time?
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Did you turn out?
MR. HOGG: I turned out, with the confusion in the forecastle.
SENATOR PERKINS: What boat were you assigned to?
MR. HOGG: No. 6 was my boat.
SENATOR PERKINS: By the way, I will ask you this first: After leaving Southampton you were divided into watch and watch; and then the detail of the lookouts was also made, was it not?
MR. HOGG: I signed on the ship as a lookout man.
SENATOR PERKINS: You did?
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: You received £5 a month and 10 shillings extra?
MR. HOGG: Five pounds a month and 5 shillings extra, for a lookout man.
SENATOR PERKINS: And 5 shillings extra, for a lookout man?
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Tell us, in your own way, what happened next, after the ship collided with the iceberg.
MR. HOGG: I waked up, at 20 minutes to 12, with the confusion in the forecastle. I rushed up on the deck, and I saw there was not much confusion on deck, and I went below again, with some of my shipmates.
I asked the time, then, of my mate Evans, and he said, "It is a quarter to 12. We will get dressed and get ready to go on the lookout."
SENATOR PERKINS: Go on and tell us, in your own way, just what happened.
MR. HOGG: Very good, sir. I have started it, right now. I dressed myself, and we relieved the lookout at 12 o'clock, me and my mate Evans. We stopped about 20 minutes, and lifted up the back cover the nest, the weather cover, and I saw people running about with life belts on.
I went to the telephone then, to try to ring up on the bridge and ask whether I was wanted in the nest, when I saw this. I could get no answer on the telephone. Also my mate­­
SENATOR PERKINS: Who was your shipmate?
MR. HOGG: My shipmate was a man by the name of Evans, sir. He has gone home.
SENATOR PERKINS: Go ahead; continue to tell your story, as to what boat you went to, and what happened.
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir. I went straight on the boat deck. I assisted in starting to uncover the boats. Then I was sent for a Jacob's ladder.
SENATOR PERKINS: You have not said to what particular boat you were assigned?
MR. HOGG: No. 6 was my proper boat; what I signed for.
SENATOR PERKINS: As to this Jacob's ladder: Did you put it over the side and go down that?
MR. HOGG: No, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: Who sent you for the Jacob's ladder?
MR. HOGG: The boatswain. I was told to drop it. As I got past the No. 7 boat on the starboard side, Mr. Murdock, chief officer, said: "See that those plugs are in that boat." I put the plugs in, and I said, "The plugs are all correct," and I jumped out again.
SENATOR PERKINS: Who lowered away at the falls?
MR. HOGG: I jumped out to assist with the falls; and he said: "You step in that boat." I said, "Very good, sir." Mr. Murdock lowered one end, and I am trying to think of the man that lowered the other end. Evans lowered the other end.
SENATOR PERKINS: How many people were in this other boat at this time, when it was hanging in the davits?
MR. HOGG: As soon as I unhooked her, I mustered her people to see how many I had. I must have had 42.
SENATOR PERKINS: While she was hanging in the davits?
MR. HOGG: No, sir; when I shoved away.
SENATOR PERKINS: When you shoved away from the ship's side?
MR. HOGG: Yes, sir.
SENATOR PERKINS: This was on the port side?
MR. HOGG: On the starboard side, sir. I asked a lady if she could steer, and she said she could. I said: "You may sit here and do this for me, and I will take the stroke oar." I pulled a little way from the ship, about a quarter of a mile, I should think, sir. I went alongside another boat ­ I can not think of the number of the boat now, sir ­ and they transferred some of the passengers to my boat.
SENATOR PERKINS: You had how many, all told, then?
MR. HOGG: I think they transferred four ladies and a baby and one gentleman ­ I think it was ­ as I wanted an extra gentleman for oar pulling.
SENATOR PERKINS: That made, all told, how many?
MR. HOGG: About 47, and the ladies objected to having those men.
SENATOR PERKINS: This was one of the lifeboats, was it?
