PRICE $6.00
62D CONGRESS
SENATE {DOCUMENT
2d Session
{NO. 933
LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP "TITANIC"
REPORT
OF A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE FOUNDERING ON APRIL 15, 1912, OF THE BRITISH STEAMSHIP "TITANIC," OF LIVERPOOL, AFTER STRIKING ICE IN OR NEAR LATITUDE 41° 46´ N., LONGITUDE 50° 14´ W., NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, AS CONDUCTED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
PRESENTED BY MR. SMITH OF MICHIGAN AUGUST 20, 1912.--Ordered to be printed with illustrations
WASHINGTON
1912
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction 7
I. Description of the ship 10 The White Star Co. 10 The steamship Titanic 11 Detailed description 13 Water-tight compartments 14 Decks and accommodation 16 Structure 23 Life-saving appliances 25 Pumping arrangements 26 Electrical installation 27 Machinery 29 General 31 Crew and passengers 32
II. Account of the ship's journey across the Atlantic, the messages she received, and the disaster 32 The sailing orders 32 The route followed 33 Ice messages received 35 Speed of the ship 39 The weather conditions 40 Action that should have been taken 40 The collision 41
III. Description of the damage to the ship and of its gradual and final effect, with observations thereon 42 Extent of the damage 42 Time in which the damage was done 42 The flooding in the first 10 minutes 42 Gradual effect of the damage 43 Final effect of the damage 44 Observations 45 Effect of additional subdivision upon floatation 46
IV. Account of the saving and rescue of those who survived 48 The boats 48 Conduct of Sir C. Duff Gordon and Mr. Ismay 53 The third-class passengers 53 Means taken to procure assistance 54 The rescue by the steamship "Carpathia" 54 Numbers saved 55
V. The circumstances in connection with the steamship "Californian" 56
VI. The Board of Trade's administration 60
VII. Finding of the court 77
VIII. Recommendations 85 Water-tight subdivision 85 Lifeboats and rafts 86 Manning the boats and boat drills 87 General 87
REPORT ON THE LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP "TITANIC."
THE MERCHANTS SHIPPING ACTS, 1894 TO 1906.
In the matter of the formal investigation held at the Scottish Hall, Buckingham Gate, Westminster, on May 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, June 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29; at the Caxton Hall, Caxton Street, Westminster, on July 1 and 3; and at the Scottish Hall, Buckingham Gate, Westminster, on July 30, 1912, before the Right Hon. Lord Mersey, Wreck Commissioner, assisted by Rear Admiral the Hon. S. A. Gough-Calthorpe, C. V. O., R. N.; Capt. A. W. Clarke; Commander F. C. A. Lyon, R. N. R.; Prof. J. H. Biles, D. Sc., LL. D. and Mr. E. C. Chaston, R. N. R., as assessors, into the circumstances attending the loss of the steamship Titanic, of Liverpool, and the loss of 1,490 lives in the North Atlantic Ocean, in lat. 41° 46´ N., long. 50° 14´ W. on April 15 last.
REPORT OF THE COURT.
The court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances of the above-mentioned shipping casualty, finds, for the reasons appearing in the annex hereto, that the loss of the said ship was due to collision with an iceberg, brought about by the excessive speed at which the ship was being navigated.
Dated this 30th day of July, 1912.
MERSEY, Wreck Commissioner.
We concur in the above report.
ARTHUR GOUGH-CALTHORPE,
A. W. CLARKE,
F. C. A. LYON,
J. H. BILES,
EDWARD C. CHASTON,
Assessors.
LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP "TITANIC."
REPORT OF A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE FOUNDERING ON APRIL 15, 1912, OF THE BRITISH STEAMSHIP TITANIC, OF LIVERPOOL, AFTER STRIKING ICE IN OR NEAR LATITUDE 41° 46´ N., LONGITUDE 50° 14´ W., NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, WHEREBY LOSS OF LIFE ENSUED.
ANNEX TO THE REPORT.