Chapter I: Front Matter

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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.