Subcommittee of the Committee of Commerce, United States Senate,
Washington, D.C.
[TESTIMONY TAKEN BEFORE SENATOR WILLIAM ALDEN SMITH, CHAIRMAN OF THE
SUBCOMMITTEE, SITTING SEPARATELY.]
TESTIMONY OF MR. BENJAMIN CAMPBELL.
The witness was sworn by the chairman.
SENATOR SMITH: Please give me your full name.
MR. CAMPBELL: Benjamin Campbell.
SENATOR SMITH: What is your place of residence?
MR. CAMPBELL: New Haven, Conn.
SENATOR SMITH: What is your business?
MR. CAMPBELL: Vice president in charge of traffic of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co.
SENATOR SMITH: In that capacity did you have an interview or correspondence with Vice President Franklin, of the International Mercantile Marine Co., on the 15th day of April last?
MR. CAMPBELL: I did. If it is agreeable, I will make a continuous statement of what occurred.
SENATOR SMITH: Do so, please.
MR. CAMPBELL: Mr. Franklin called me on the telephone between 11 and 11:30 o'clock a.m. Monday, the 15th asking if we would arrange to send sufficient equipment to Halifax to take the Titanic's passengers to New York, which should arrive there some time Wednesday. He stated there were 325 first­class, 285 second­class and 710 third­class passengers. I told him I would take the matter up promptly and make the arrangement. I was in New Haven and he in New York.
I hung up the phone, then conferred with our transportation department, and we arranged to assemble sufficient equipment at Boston, consisting of 23 sleeping cars, 2 dining cars, and an indefinite number of coaches and baggage cars, but ample to take care of the business.
At 1:10 o'clock p.m. I called up Mr. Franklin on the telephone. I told him what we had done; that the equipment and trains would be ready to leave Boston at 5 or 6 o'clock that evening; and it would take about 24 hours to make the trip to Halifax, so that they would arrive there Tuesday evening.
I then asked him if we should collect fares from the passengers and for their meals, or whether we should make bill against the White Star Line. He replied that he would let me know later in the afternoon.
So at 4:30 o'clock that same afternoon I got in touch with him and he said yes; that he desired the bill made against the White Star Line.
At 6:40 o'clock p.m. I took the train for Boston ­ at New Haven. On arrival at New London, an hour later, I received a telegram from Master of Transportation Halliday, stating that the Titanic had sunk and that the equipment would not be required. Some of it had started from Boston and gone a short distance out on the Boston & Maine. Upon inquiry, I learned that Mr. Halliday obtained his information from the agent of the White Star Line in Boston about 7 o'clock.
Mr. Horn, vice president of the New Haven Co., in charge of operation, communicated with Mr. Franklin at 7:30 o'clock p.m. Monday and had confirmation of the report from Mr. Halliday.
As a result of the conversation with Mr. Franklin I sent a telegram at 2 o'clock p.m. Monday, the 15th, to Mr. Bosworth, vice president of the Canadian Pacific railway, at Montreal; Mr. Tiffin, general traffic manager of the Intercolonial Railway, at Moncton, which I will read and leave with you if you like:
SENATOR SMITH: Yes.
MR. CAMPBELL: [reading]:
Passengers from the steamer Titanic are transferring at sea and are due to arrive in Halifax some time Wednesday. There will be 325 first class, 285 second class, all for New York and requiring sleeper accommodations; also 710 third class, a portion of which are for Canada.
This company has at Boston ready for immediate delivery 23 sleeping cars with a capacity of 632 passengers; also two dining cars and as many coaches and baggage cars as may be required and can furnish motive power if desired.
Please advise how much of this equipment we shall deliver to the Boston & Maine for delivery to you at Vanceboro, running special.
Vice President Horn has wired your manager, also the Intercolonial people, full particulars.
That was sent, as I say, at 2 o'clock p.m. At 4:35 o'clock p.m., after my third conversation with Mr. Franklin, I sent this telegram to Mr. Tiffin, general traffic manager of the Intercolonial Railway; to Mr. Bosworth, vice president of the Canadian Pacific Railway; to Mr. Berry, vice president of the Boston & Maine Railroad; and to Mr. Hobbs, vice president of the Maine Central Railroad:
Vice President Franklin, of White Star Line, advises Titanic's passengers will land at Halifax Wednesday. He authorizes that railroad furnish passengers with tickets and meals and the first and second class passengers with sleeping­car accommodations, rendering bill against his company and not make collection from passengers direct.
Mr. Mitchell, agent White Star Line, Montreal, left to­day for Halifax, and he, no doubt, will have full authority.
SENATOR SMITH: By whom is that signed?
MR. CAMPBELL: That is signed by me, Benjamin Campbell.
At the close of the last conversation with Mr. Franklin, at 4:30 o'clock p.m. Monday, I asked him if he would confirm the arrangement by letter, which he did; and I have here a copy, dated New York, April 15, 1912, the day I had the conversation, and it was written after 4:30 o'clock p.m. on that day addressed to me:
Confirming our conversation over the telephone to­day, this is to advise you that we shall be glad if you will bill us for the transportation of all the Titanic's passengers to whom you give passage from Halifax to New York or any intermediate point, and for all the meals of the passengers en route.
We understood from our conversation with you that you were providing 30 sleeping carsand 3 dining cars for the first and second class passengers, numbering approximately 610, and a sufficient of day coaches for 710 third­class passengers, and a sufficient number of baggage cars for all classes.
We take this opportunity of expressing our sincere appreciation of the efforts you have made to assist us in our difficulties under these very exceptional circumstances, and we ask you to accept our thanks for all that you have done in our behalf.
That is signed by Mr. Franklin.
That is the story.
SENATOR SMITH: What was the capacity of the 23 sleepers?
MR. CAMPBELL: The capacity was 623 passengers. We afterwards added 10 sleepers, later in the evening, so that we had 33 sleepers to go forward.
SENATOR SMITH: Have you any means of knowing the time of day when this letter from Mr. Franklin was sent to you?
MR. CAMPBELL: It could not have been written by him until after 4:30 o'clock p.m. Monday, the 15th, because it was at that hour that I requested him to confirm the conversation or understanding or arrangement that we had by telephone.
SENATOR SMITH: In any conversation that you had with Mr. Franklin did you understand that the Titanic had sunk; I mean in any conversation which you had on Monday did you understand that the Titanic had sunk, up to the receipt of the information from the agent of that company in Boston?
MR. CAMPBELL: No, sir. Quite the contrary, I supposed that the Titanic was afloat. The thought that passed through my mind when I had the conversation with Mr. Franklin was that the Titanic was disabled and that the passengers were being transferred at sea as a measure of safety; as a measure of precaution.
SENATOR SMITH: Did you know from any other source the actual condition of the Titanic?
MR. CAMPBELL: I did not know anything of the kind until I got that telegram at new London, at 7:40 o'clock p.m. That is the first information that I had of the sinking of the ship.
SENATOR SMITH: You heard nothing through the Canadian Pacific officials?
MR. CAMPBELL: No, sir.
SENATOR SMITH: In any communication with them?
MR. CAMPBELL: No, sir; in no source whatsoever.
SENATOR SMITH: Were the Canadian Pacific officials with whom you communicated, at Montreal?
MR. CAMPBELL: Yes, sir; at Montreal, Mr. Bosworth's headquarters.
SENATOR SMITH: And the only information that you received from him is contained in this statement you have just made.
MR. CAMPBELL: I did not receive any information from Mr. Bosworth, except an acknowledgement of the telegram stating that they had plenty of equipment to provide for the passengers. That telegram reached me on Tuesday, however, after our equipment had been returned.
SENATOR SMITH: Is that all you know about the matter?
MR. CAMPBELL: Absolutely everything, sir, except what I have seen in the papers.
SENATOR SMITH: I think that is all.
Witness excused.
SENATOR SMITH: I desire to have printed in the record two telegrams, both dated New Haven, Conn., April 15, 1912, and signed by Mr. B. Campbell; and one telegram, dated New York, April 15, 1912, addressed to Mr. B. Campbell, Vice President New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co., New Haven, Conn, signed by P.A.S. Franklin.
The telegrams referred to are as follows:
New Haven, Conn., April 15, 1912. 2 p.m.
Mr. G. M. Bosworth, V. P. Canadian Pacific Ry., Montreal P.Q.
Mr. E. Tiffin, G.T.M. Intercolonial Ry., Moncton, N.B.
Passengers from the steamer Titanic are transferring at sea and are due to arrive in Halifax some time Wednesday. There will be 325 first class, 285 second class, all for New York and requiring sleeper accommodations; also 710 third class, a portion of which are for Canada.
This company has at Boston ready for immediate delivery 23 sleeping cars with a capacity of 632 passengers; also two dining cars and as many coaches and baggage cars as may be required and can furnish motive power if desired.
Please advise how much of this equipment we shall deliver to the Boston & Maine for delivery to you at Vanceboro, running special.
Vice President Horn has wired your manger, also the Intercolonial people, full particulars.
B. CAMPBELL.
_______________
New Haven, Conn., April 15, 1912 ­ 4:35 p.m.
Mr. E. Tiffin, General Traffic Manager Intercolonial Ry.
Mr. G. M. Bosworth, Vice President Canadian Pacific Ry.,
Mr. W. F. Berry, Vice President Boston & Maine R.R.
Mr. G. S. Hobbs, Vice President Maine Central R.R.
Vice President Franklin, of White Star Line, advises Titanic's passengers will land at Halifax Wednesday. He authorizes that railroad furnish passengers with tickets and meals and the first and second class passengers with sleeping­car accommodations, rendering bill against his company and not make collection from passengers direct.
Mr. Mitchell, agent White Star Line, Montreal, left to­day for Halifax, and he no doubt will have full authority.
B. CAMPBELL.
________________
INTERNATIONAL MERCANTILE MARIE CO.,
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT,
9 Broadway, New York, April 15, 1912.
B. Campbell, Esq.,
Vice President New York, New Haven & Hartford R.R. Co.,
New Haven, Conn.
Dear Sir: Confirming our conversation over the telephone to­day, this is to advise you that we shall be glad if you will bill us for the transportation of all the Titanic's passengers to whom you give passage from Halifax to New York or any intermediate point and for all the meals of the passengers en route.
We understood from our conversation with you that you were providing 30 sleeping cars and 3 dining cars for the first and second class passengers, numbering approximately 610, and a sufficient number of day coaches for 710 third­class passengers, and a sufficient number of baggage cars for all classes.
We take this opportunity of expressing our sincere appreciation of the efforts you have made to assist us in our difficulties under these very exceptional circumstances, and we ask you to accept our thanks for all that you have done in our behalf.
Yours, very truly, P.A.S. FRANKLIN, Vice President.
SENATOR SMITH: I desire printed in the record also an affidavit received by me made by Mrs. E. B. Ryerson, of Chicago, Ill. The affidavit referred to is as follows:
STATE OF NEW YORK, County of Otsego, ss:
Emily Borie Ryerson, being duly sworn, deposes and says, I reside in the city of Chicago, Ill. I was a passenger on the steamship Titanic on April 14, 1912. At the time of the collision I was awake and heard the engines stop, but felt no jar. My husband was asleep, so I rang and asked the steward, Bishop, what was the matter. He said, "There is talk of an iceberg, ma'am, and they have stopped, not to run into it." I told him to keep me informed if there were any orders. It was bitterly cold, so I put on a warm wrapper and looked out the window (we were in the large cabins on the B deck, very far aft) and saw the stars shining and a calm sea, but heard no noise. It was 12 o'clock. After about 10 minutes I went out in the corridor, and saw far off people hurrying on deck. A passenger ran by and called out, "Put on your life belts and come up on the boat deck." I said, "Where did you get those orders?" He said, "From the captain." I went back then and told Miss Bowen and my daughter, who were in the next room, to dress immediately, roused my husband and the two younger children, who were in a room on the other side, and then remembered my maid, who had a room near us. Her door was locked and I had some difficulty in waking her. By this time my husband was fully dressed, and we could hear the noise of feet tramping on the deck overhead. He was quite calm and cheerful and helped me put the life belts on the children and on my maid. I was paralyzed with fear of not all getting on deck together in time, as there were seven of us. I would not let my younger daughter dress, but she only put on a fur coat, as I did over her nightgown. My husband cautioned us all to keep together, and we went up to A deck, where we found quite a group of people we knew. Everyone had on a life belt, and they all were very quiet and self­possessed.
