Original subtitles

[film clicks through projector]

[timpani roll and cymbal crash]

[hawk screeches]

[loud engine noise]

[extremely loud crash]

[metal grinding]

[muffled voices]

[music playing]

[pencil scratches paper]

[gasps]

[quiet knocking]

William...

...it's awfully late.

[music playing]

[light clicks off]

[knobs click]

[tapping]

[electricity crackling]

[tapping]

[click]

[nervous voices]

CREW: Women and children first.

At this time, we require only women and children.

[panicked voices]

[tapping]

[SOS in Morse code]

[dramatic music]

[crying]

MAN: Secure your lifebelts. We're boarding now.

[tapping and Morse code]

[panicked voices]

[water splashing]

WOMAN: Come on. You can do it.

Keep going.

Take my hand. Come on.

[grunting]

MAN: Tell Titanic, we're making toward her.

WOMAN: So cold.

[woman exhales]

MAN: You'll be okay, miss.

[loud creaking]

[eerie metal grinding]

[music gets softer]

[sniffling, crying]

[deep inhale]

[door opens]

Good morning, sir.

Miss Malloy.

[Miss Malloy sniffles]

How bad is it?

[gasping breaths]

It says here they're towing her to Halifax.

[crying]

Uh, Naval intelligence reports of a private transmission

from the White Star Line.

She hit an ice field in the North Atlantic

and sank within hours.

[sniffles]

Survivors?

It's believed to be less than a third.

[sharp inhale]

There were over 2,000 on board.

[short breaths]

[emotive music]

Cancel your trip to New York, sir?

No.

We'll prepare a resolution authorizing an investigation,

and I will recommend myself as the chairman of the subcommittee.

I'll accompany you to New York.

You'll require my assistance.

[door closes]

Are you traveling with anybody else?

Miss Malloy is bringing the paperwork.

Are you sure that's appropriate

for the future president?

[he laughs softly]

Does it bother you?

Of course, not.

People will talk.

Let them.

[soft laugh]

[lyrical music]

When can I expect you to return?

I have no idea, my dear.

The only thing I know for sure is that people

need to know what happened.

The ship hit an iceberg.

Oh, I shudder to think what those poor souls went through.

But, surely, it was an act of God.

In my experience, there are very few acts of God.

This is the man I wish to speak to.

[sobbing]

[sharp inhale]

[ship horn blares]

[soft music]

[sighs]

Sheriff?

Miss Malloy, meet Joe Bayliss, Sheriff of Chippewa County.

Would that be upstate?

No, ma'am.

Oh.

[vehicle engine idling]

[linotype printing]

[gears chugging]

[banging on door]

ALAINE RICARD: [muffled] Edith.

Edith.

EDITH BELL: It's been almost a week

since I gave you that story.

And you come in here, smelling like a chamber pot, expecting payment.

I have it.

I have the story.

It's stale.

It's worthless.

[muffled linotype grinding]

What do you want from me, Alaine?

You said $1 and a quarter.

I'll give you 90-cents for the hooker story, but that's it.

I can't even use it.

[coins jingling]

What's this?

This is the ship that sank with a bunch of rich people that died?

Most of them were poor immigrants.

What's the angle?

I don't know, Alaine. Why don't you find it?

[pencil scratching]

And write it in my name?

This isn't the time.

[linotype chugging in the distance]

[ship horn blares]

[indistinct voices]

[heavy footsteps]

[police whistle]

MAGGIE MALLOY: No, no, no, no, no, officer.

That's Senator Smith in this motor vehicle,

so you're the one who's going to have to back off.

We have to park here. Off you go. Thank you.

Now, please, tell me we have the President's blessing.

MAGGIE MALLOY: Of course, we do.

Mr. Taft even sent gunboats to escort the rescue ship.

Titanic's Chairman Mr. Ismay sent messages asking for a ship

to return the officers and crew to Europe.

I don't think they had plans of even stepping ashore

in America, not even the docks.

You, sir, sir, sir, I'm looking for a list. A list.

[indistinct] Mister Moss [indistinct]..

Samuel Moss. Can you help me?

Excuse me, excuse me.

[melancholy music]

WOMAN: ...have to come through Ellis Island.

[camera flash bulb pops]

[indistinct conversations]

No, sir.

I need to pass through.

No, no, not till everyone's ashore.

Ah! Oh!

ALAINE RICARD: Watch your step.

Let me get that for you.

So sorry!

Musn't fall behind, ma'am.

Thank you.

[breathing heavy]

OK.

[knocking]

Mr. Bruce Ismay?

For business with the White Star Line,

speak to my agent, Mr. Franklin.

[envelope drops]

]What's this all about?

WILLIAM SMITH: Mr. Ismay, you've just been served with a subpoena.

You're required to appear before a special subcommittee

of the United States Senate.

BRUCE ISMAY: No, sir, I'm not. I'm a British citizen.

WILLIAM SMITH: And I am William Alden Smith, a United States

senator, chairman of the committee

investigating the cause of one of the greatest

maritime disasters in history.

[music playing]

The Titanic. Your ship, sir.

I must say, you move very fast, senator.

Very well, you have my cooperation.

I'll speak with you at my very first opportunity.

10:00 tomorrow morning, the East Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

I'm sorry, Senator. That's really not possible.

WILLIAM SMITH: Mr. Ismay, I have in my possession

copies of your wireless telegrams

sent from this very ship.

It seems you were in a rush to return your crew to Europe.

Excuse me?

(READING) "Titanic crew aboard Carpathia

should be returned home earliest moment possible. Stop."

"Suggest holding Cedric.

Sailing daylight Friday. Returning in...

I've done nothing illegal.

...Stop". I think it most unwise to keep Titanic crew until Saturday

strongly urge sailing-"

I have every right to leave this country.

"-very important to hold Cedric for Titanic."

Enough!

Mr. Ismay, you and your crew will remain here until my inquiry is complete.

And you will give the American people an accounting of your actions.

I shall be contacting the British ambassador.

You are welcome to contact anyone you wish,

once you have stepped ashore and placed yourself and your crew at my disposal.

I will not be treated like a child.

Perhaps if you were, your seat on the lifeboat

would have been more appropriate.

I find that remark deeply offensive.

What is offensive is that 1,500 of your passengers

are dead.

[melancholic music]

[chair creaks]

[speaking German]

I have no idea what he's saying.

-[speaking German] -Get back.

No, no, get back.

We're not finished with you yet.

I don't understand. What have they done?

They have no papers.

Perhaps, they don't have any. They're just lucky to be alive.

They could be steerage.

We can't let them through with nothing.

You are correct. They should be given food, clothing, and a warm bed.

This is Senator Smith, Chairman of the Senate Investigative Committee.

We have our orders, Senator.

Yes, and they'll be changing any minute now.

Find the Immigration Commissioner

and have him get this process moving.

Let these people in.

[music playing]

[exhales loudly]

[pencil scratches paper]

[scraping]

Good morning, gentlemen.

I'm Ambassador James Bryce with the British embassy.

Lightoller, 2nd Officer.

A pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.

I'm very sorry it is under these circumstances.

Are we going home?

I'm afraid not at this time.

Mr. Lowe, is it?

Mm.

Gentlemen, please know, this is not a trial.

This is merely an inquiry.

Yes, but it's being held by the US government.

True, a senator from the state of Michigan, to be exact.

Could it lead to a trial?

HAROLD LOWE: Trial for what?

We hit a bloody iceberg.

We are not Americans.

Explain how this is even legal.

To be honest, I'm not exactly certain that they

have the right to detain you.

But Mr. JP Morgan is concerned for his ships,

and the US Senate holds control over all the American ports.

There is a frenzy of interest out there,

and this man Smith is only going to make it worse.

He's a political creature with something to prove.

I understand. But what exactly does he want from us?

Accountability and compensation for the victims.

Is that all?

Give them their compensation.

That's what I say.

Some of these poor devils have lost everything,

and they had precious little to begin with.

[clears his throat]

They'll only be compensated if White Star and its employees are found negligent.

Are you willing to admit to negligence, gentlemen?

I'm sure you wish to protect your own reputations.

Now the newspapers have not been shy of touting your heroism.

As far as they're concerned, your behavior

was all that could be asked of men in your position.

In order to deem compensation appropriate,

White Star would have to be proven criminally liable

or at the very least reckless.

Is that not correct, Ambassador?

JAMES BRYCE: Indeed.

[ominous music]

Yeah, indeed.

Therefore, we cannot simply ignore our collective interests, gentlemen.

[pensive music]

I believe all we have to state are the facts, of which we have few.

Nothing more should be expected of us.

WILLIAM SMITH: I believe everyone called for is present for today's proceedings.

It is a formality that any inquiry called on by the United

States Senate commence with the reading of a resolution

particular to the case before it.

Senator Newlands of the great state of Nevada, will you kindly do the honors?

FRANCIS NEWLANDS: (READING) "In the Senate of the United

States, April 17, 1912, that the Committee on Commerce

or a Subcommittee thereof is hereby

authorized and directed to investigate

the causes leading to the wreck of the White Star liner,

the RMS Titanic"--

[door opens]

--"with a view to such legislation

as may be necessary to prevent any

repetition of such a disaster."

[keys jangling]

"Resolved further that in the report of said Committee,

it shall recommend such action as it shall deem expedient."

Thank you, Senator Newlands.

Mr. Ismay, for the interest of simplifying this hearing,

I'll ask you a few preliminary questions.

First, state your full name, please.

Joseph Bruce Ismay.

And your place of residence.

Liverpool, England.

And your age.

BRUCE ISMAY: I shall be 50 on the 12th of December.

49.

Are you an executive of the White Star Line?

I am the managing director.

And as such executive, were you

officially designated to make the trial trip of Titanic?

No.

Were you a voluntary passenger?

BRUCE ISMAY: Yes.

[dramatic music]

[sniffs]

[gasp]

Will you kindly tell the committee the circumstances

surrounding your voyage as succinctly as possible,

beginning with your boarding of the vessel at Liverpool,

together with any circumstances you feel would be

beneficial to this committee?

In the first place, I would like

to express my sincere grief at this deplorable catastrophe.

I understand you gentlemen have been

appointed to inquire as to the circumstances

so far as we are concerned.

We welcome it.

We court the fullest inquiry.

We have nothing to conceal, nothing to hide.

Please continue.

[clears throat]

(READING) The ship was built in Belfast

by the Harland & Wolff Company.

Absolutely no expense was spared in her construction.

[crowd mumbling]

You were saying.

[crowd's mumbling softens]

[clears throat]

I understand it has been stated the ship was traveling at full speed.

Titanic had never been at full speed.

So far as I'm aware, she never exceeded 75 revolutions.

She had not all her boilers on.

It was our intention if we had fine weather

on Monday afternoon and Tuesday, to drive the ship at full speed. That...

owing to the unfortunate catastrophe, never eventuated.

Can you describe what you did immediately

following the impact?

I (READING) put my coat on, made my way to the bridge,

where I found Captain Smith.

He said, "We have struck ice."

I asked him if he thought the ship was seriously damaged.

He said, "I'm afraid she is."

I then went down below, where I met

Mr. Bell, the chief engineer.

He was quite satisfied the pumps would keep her afloat.

I went up to the top deck, where I heard the orders

given to get the lifeboats out.

CREW: Ready the lifeboats.

[ominous music]

Man your stations.

[music intensifies]

[muffled sounds of crew readying the lifeboats]

[muted]

Ready the lifeboats, young man.

Yes, sir.

BRUCE ISMAY: I stood upon that deck practically until I left the ship

in the starboard collapsible, which

was the last boat to leave the ship, so far as I know.

You stated that it was a voluntary trip on your part?

BRUCE ISMAY: Yes, sir.

For the purpose of viewing this ship in action

or did you have some business in New York?

I had no business.

I simply came in the natural course of events, as one is apt to.

"As one is apt to"?

In the case of a new ship, to see how she works

and with an idea of seeing how we could improve on her.

Were there any other executive officers of the company on board?

BRUCE ISMAY: No.

Was the inspector or the builder on board?

There was a representative of the builders,

a Mr. Thomas Andrews.

Was he among the survivors?

Unfortunately, no.

Mr. Ismay, as the only executive aboard representing

your company, did you have the occasion

to consult with the Captain about the movements of the ship?

Never!

Are you quite certain of that, Mr. Ismay?

I-- I do not know that is quite a matter of consulting

him or if he's consulting me, but we agreed there was nothing

to be gained by arriving in New York

earlier than Wednesday morning.

But this was all arranged before we even left Queenstown.

You spoke of the revolutions on the early part of the voyage.

BRUCE ISMAY: Yes, sir.

These were increased as the distance increased.

Bring out a new ship like Titanic,

you naturally do not start running at full speed.

Mr. Ismay, during the voyage,

did you have any knowledge as to your proximity to icebergs?

Did I know that we were near icebergs?

That was the question, yes.

No, sir, I did not.

I know ice had been reported.

Ice had been reported.

Yes.

Did you personally see any icebergs

or any large volume of ice?

No, not until after the accident.

Not until after the wreck.

I had never seen an iceberg in my life.

It was absolutely out of my province.

I am not a navigator. I was simply a passenger.

Are you aware of a wireless message

received by Titanic from a troop transport named the SS Amerika?

No, sir.

Saying that she had encountered ice

in that exact same latitude?

No, sir.

Were you aware of icebergs on Sunday?

BRUCE ISMAY: On Sunday?

No, I did not know on Sunday.

I knew we would be in the ice region that night some time.

That you would be or that you were?

That we would be in the ice region on Sunday night.

Did you consult with the Captain about this matter?

Absolutely not.

Mr. Ismay, will you describe in detail

the circumstances of your departure from the ship?

[soft music]

(READING) The officer called out,

asking if there were any more women,

and there was no response.

And none were left on deck.

As the boat was in the act of being lowered away, I boarded.

As the Titanic was sinking?

(QUIETLY) Sinking, yes.

WILLIAM SMITH: I'm sorry. We're having trouble hearing.

(LOUDER) She was sinking.

I must ask, were are all the women and children saved?

I'm afraid not, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: What proportion were saved?

I have no idea. I have not asked.

After a short recess, we will be calling our next witness,

the Captain of the Carpathia, to whom all the survivors

of the Titanic owe their lives.

[music intensifies]

[muted]

[muted]

Senator, I do hope my testimony proved serviceable.

If I can be of assistance in the future,

please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Mr. Ismay, I wouldn't advise making any plans for the immediate future.

Mr. Smith, if you are determined

to continue with this farce, I suppose there's little I can do about it.

However, I shall be leaving now.

I'm not discounting the gravity of this situation,

but I can assure you my conscience is clear.

[soft music]

[women whispering]

Do you know who that is?

Countess of Rothes, first-class passenger.

This man is a hero by all accounts.

I recommend this be handled delicately.

He's a ship captain with relevant experience,

and he was the first one on the scene.

Please state your name and title.

Arthur H. Rostron, Captain of the RMS Carpathia.

I will start at the heart of the matter.

I suppose you were looking forward to sailing to your original destination.

Thank you, Senator.

I hope I can be of assistance.

Will you walk us through the events

leading up to receiving word that Titanic was in trouble?

Of course.

It was Sunday around midnight.

We had fine, clear weather.

Everything was going on without trouble of any kind.

Then at 12:35 AM, I was informed of an urgent distress signal

from the Titanic, requiring immediate assistance.

Informed by whom?

By a wireless operator and the First Officer.

I'd only just turned in.

Please continue.

I asked the operator if he was absolutely

sure it was a distress signal.

I asked him twice.

He assured me he was certain of the message, and I immediately set course.

I told the chief engineer to call another watch of stokers

and make all possible speed to the Titanic, as she was in trouble.

I then sent for the head of each department

and had them brought to my cabin.

I ordered the rockets be fired at 2:45 and every quarter

of an hour after to reassure Titanic.

We would like you to leave a copy of that order

with the committee, if you will.

Yes, sir, I shall do it with pleasure.

Thank you, Captain.

You may go on.

At about that time, I saw a flare off the port bow,

a half-point off the port bow.

I assumed correctly it was Titanic herself.

I remarked that she must still be afloat.

Between 2:45 and 4 o'clock when I stopped my engines,

we were passing icebergs on every side.

At 4 o'clock, I stopped.

And by 4:10, we had the first lifeboat alongside.

You are picking up these people now?

Yes.

[pencil scratching paper]

WILLIAM SMITH: Will you describe that for us, please?

By the time we had the first lifeboat,

it was breaking day.

And I could--

I could see the remaining boats all around within an area

of about four miles.

I saw also that I was surrounded by icebergs.

They were anywhere from...

[clears throat] 150 to 200-feet high and numerous smaller bergs.

I maneuvered the ship and gradually

got all boats alongside and all the people aboard by 8:30.

I was then very close to where Titanic

must have gone down, as there was a lot of hardly wreckage.

Then the Leyland Line steamer Californian hove up.

We exchanged messages.

I told them the Titanic had gone down,

that I had her passengers.

They asked if they should search around,

and I said, yes, as we weren't certain we could account for all the boats.

It was then 10:50.

I'd like to go back again...

[clears throat] a little bit.

At 8:30, all the people were on board.

I asked the purser to hold a service, a short prayer

of thankfulness for those who were saved, a short burial

service for those who lost.

[indistinct echoes]

MAN: (MUFFLED) Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven.

Floating, sir.

It was the only body we saw.

Was it male or female?

Male, member of the crew, I believe.

Titanic's passengers were still knocking about on deck,

and I didn't want to cause any unnecessary excitement

or hysteria, so I steamed past.

Captain, can you tell us how many lifeboats

you came across in total?

We had 15 lifeboats alongside with passengers.

There was also a Berthon Boat, which is collapsible.

It had been abandoned. It was...

badly damaged. It was in a sinking condition.

There was-- there was nobody in it.

It was empty.

How many people could that have held?

60 to 75 comfortably.

Captain, have you concluded that you did not

see the ill-fated ship at all?

We arrived an hour and a half after she went down.

[loud exhale]

In your company, who was the master of a ship at sea?

The Captain.

WILLIAM SMITH: In absolute control?

Absolute control, legal and otherwise. No one can interfere.

And if that had not been so, you

would not have felt it proper to have gone off your course quite so far.

Correct.

Do you regard the route the Titanic was

taking as entirely practical and appropriate

at this time of year?

Quite so.

Even having the warning

that icebergs were in the vicinity,

could he not under the circumstances

have altered his course somewhat to avoid them?

That's impossible for me to tell. Uh,

all I can say is that he was on the track

for the western-bound steamer, his proper track

where he ought to have been.

At this time of year.

At this time of year.

So what would be a safe reasonable speed

for a vessel of that size on such a route

in the proximity of icebergs?

Well, of course, I do not know the ship.

I know absolutely nothing about her.

WILLIAM SMITH: But how would you have felt yourself about it?

Suppose you were taking your ship on that route.

How fast would you have thought it prudent to go

in such a situation?

All I can tell you is this, gentlemen.

I knew there was ice about.

How did you know that?

From Titanic's message, that she'd struck ice.

And, yet, you still went full speed.

I did.

Captain Rostron, how many lifeboats

do you carry on the Carpathia?

We carry 20.

In obedience to certain regulations of the British Board of Trade.

I think it's 20, yes.

The fact that, under these regulations,

you are obliged to carry 20 lifeboats

and the Titanic is only obliged to carry 20

with three times the tonnage suggests that these regulations

were prescribed long ago.

No, sir, it's to do with the ship itself.

Uh, they're built nowadays to be practically unsinkable,

and so each ship is supposed to be a lifeboat in itself.

The lifeboats are put on merely as a standby.

[whispering] The ship is a lifeboat?

[rattling]

[doorknob turns]

[dramatic music]

You say, Captain, that you ran under a full head of steam

toward Titanic.

I-- I can confess only this.

If I'd known at the time there was so much ice about,

I should not.

But I was right in it then.

I also had to consider what I was going for.

[water dripping]

[loud crash]

ARTHUR ROSTRON: I'll tell you this.

Our wireless operator was in his cabin,

not on official business at all.

He was simply listening as he was undressing.

Another 10 minutes maybe, he would have been in bed.

We would have missed the message.

Remarkable coincidence.

Captain, if you take the case of the Titanic, whose tonnage

was far more than that of your ship, which had,

I believe, the same number of lifeboats, in your opinion,

how many additional boats could that vessel accommodate

without inconvenience?

I have not the faintest idea, sir, what the Titanic was like.

I believe she's the sister ship of the Olympic, which I once

saw at the end of our dock.

You think she could accommodate

considerably more, do you not?

If she could not accommodate them, she could be made to accommodate them.

How do you account for the fact that the Board of Trade of England,

as the size of these ships has increased,

has not compelled an increase in the number of lifeboats?

The maximum, I believe, is 20 boats, is it not?

Uh, yes, I believe it is. But they have compelled a different design of the ship.

Captain Rostron, please confirm.

They consider the ship itself as a lifeboat?

Yes, sir.

That expectation was certainly not realized with Titanic.

I believe that is all, Captain.

I want to thank you for your courtesy

in appearing before this committee.

You're, you're welcome, sir. If there's anything further I can do, I shall be very glad.

[soft music]

That's a good first day, wasn't it?

Can I get you anything?

A drink, if you don't mind.

[music intensifies]

ARTHUR PEUCHEN: Outrageous!

That lifeboat was full of women.

I slid down that rope to help them row to safety.

I felt it was my duty.

[screaming]

MAN: Major Peuchen, can you comment

on as to the recent activities of Standard Chemical in Europe?

Oh, by the way, gentlemen, anybody see my wallet?

Excuse me, excuse me.

MAN: Major!

Major! Major !

Whiskey, please, Bushmills.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

This area is reserved for gentlemen.

If you take a seat at one of those tables,

I'd be happy to send someone over to take care of you.

Would you prefer the Senator come over so you could explain

why he's waiting for his drink?

[thump of empty glass] [coughs]

Thank you.

Now one for the Senator.

[ominous music]

Dear Senator,

I wish to applaud your effort.

Thank you.

However, if you want my opinion,

there are areas of greater concern.

I'm sorry.

Have we been introduced?

Oh, forgive me, I am Duchess Asconti Arese.

Mr. Senator,

my concern is with all those women being

let in without their husbands.

What is this law of the sea?

There were notable men on that ship, worth more than a 100

of those immigrant women.

Why, Mr. Astor, for example, are we not enjoying

his illustrious accommodations?

Hmm?

Senator,

we all know these people, how they arrive here

in America, unable to speak the language,

illiterate as they are.

To ask some of the fine men on that boat

to stand back while those people are saved,

I think it's criminal.

What good will they be, a burden to the state is all.

[laughs]

But who am I to say?

[laughing]

Who, indeed.

[sharp inhale]

Good day, ladies.

Thank you. I've had enough opinions for the day.

Sir, it's about your meeting with Mr. Ismay.

WILLIAM SMITH: Media coverage is to be expected.

Aboard the Carpathia.

Why would Ismay want this in the paper?

I can't imagine.

This man, find him.

WOMAN: Excuse me.

ALAINE RICARD: Oh, watch your step.

Let me get that for you.

So sorry.

Musn't fall behind ma'am.

[dramatic music]

[music intensifies]

[footsteps quicken]

[elevator bell dings]

[music intensifies]

[gasps]

[punching and kicking]

[soft cry]

Give my regards to Mr. Morgan.

[dramatic music]

[muted]

[tapping]

[muted]

[electricity crackling]

[sniffs]

[indistinct chatter]

Harold S. Bride.

Mr. Phillips, the chief radio operator, did not survive.

[knocking]

Mr. Bride, as the single surviving radio operator of the Titanic,

were you aware of any White Star officers aboard the ship?

The Titanic was commanded by White Star officers.

I understand. But were you aware of any general officers?

HAROLD BRIDE: Any what, sir?

Any general officers of the White Star Line?

We had heard Mr. Ismay was on board. But beyond that, I do not know anything.

You knew of this man?

HAROLD BRIDE: Yes, sir.

Did you see him aboard the Titanic?

I do not think I did, sir.

Did he send or receive any messages through you during the voyage?

I believe there were messages delivered from Mr. Ismay, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: Official messages?

They would have ranked with us as official messages.

Did they have to do with the direction or speed of the ship?

HAROLD BRIDE: Uh, coming around from Belfast,

there were messages delivered to Mr. Ismay regarding the speed of the ship.

To whom were they sent, do you remember?

Uh, the White Star offices at Liverpool and Southampton.

WILLIAM SMITH: And do you know what they said?

[stutters] That the trials of the speed of the ship

were very favorable.

Were there any other messages for Mr. Ismay during that time?

I could not tell you. We had too many to remember them all.

If you received a message for the managing

director of the company, one might think you would remember it.

Do you recall whether the captain of the ship

received any messages on Saturday or Sunday

from any White Star official,

regarding the movement, direction, or speed of the ship?

HAROLD BRIDE: No, sir, he did not.

And how do you know he did not?

Because I should have delivered it.

I saw the Captain's messages. I was...

Delivering them for my superior, the late Mr. Phillips.

But you were not on duty the entire time during those two days, were you?

HAROLD BRIDE: No, sir.

So you cannot say with any certainty that such a message was not received.

Mr. Bride, were you on duty when a message

was received from the Amerika warning

about the proximity of icebergs?

No, sir.

And did you talk to the Captain about any messages similar in nature?

There was a message delivered to the Captain in the afternoon,

sir, late in the afternoon.

Sunday, April 14th?

-Yes, sir. -Regarding an ice field?

From whom, Mr. Bride?

From the Californian, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: I would like to know just what that message said.

The Californian called me with an ice report.

I was rather busy, just for the minute, and I didn't take it.

She then transmitted the ice report to the Baltic, and I took it down.

So unable to reach your ship,

they attempted the Baltic.

HAROLD BRIDE: It was about half an hour after that.

-They transmitted-- -Why were they unable to reach you?

I was doing some writing at the time,

sir, the accounts of the day.

WILLIAM SMITH: And the earphones did not remain on your head at the time?

No, sir.

So you continue your work on the accounts, if I understand you correctly.

HAROLD BRIDE: Yes, sir.

And do not respond to the Californian's call

for 30 minutes approximately.

It would have been somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. I cannot say definitely.

WILLIAM SMITH: Please tell us the exact language of that message.

It stated the Californian had passed three large icebergs

and gave their latitude and longitude.

They had passed three large icebergs.

And did the Captain ultimately receive this message?

Yes, sir.

And at no time did the Captain go overboard

before when the ship sank?

HAROLD BRIDE: No, sir.

He went down with the ship?

Practically speaking, yes, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: Mr. Bride, let's discuss

your communication with another ship, the SS Frankfurt.

Do you know whether her radio operator spoke the English language?

There was no necessity that he should understand

the English language, sir.

CQD is an international call.

And CQD means the same in German and French and the English language?

HAROLD BRIDE: Yes, sir.

And is the international code signal of distress.

HAROLD BRIDE: Yes, sir.

It is recognizable by all ship operators.

Mr. Bride, I want this report

to be as complete as possible. So I need to know why, having received

a message from the Frankfurt, saying, "What is the matter?"

You did not respond, "We are sinking."

-You see-- -"And our passengers and our crew are in danger."

You see, it takes a certain amount of time

to transmit all that information, sir.

If he had understood properly, as he ought to have,

CQD would have been sufficient, sir.

That does not seem to have moved him.

Well, he did not know his business.

That is a rather hollow point considering how things turned out.

2nd Officer Lightoller,

during the voyage of the Titanic,

were there any tests taken of the temperature of the water?

Tests are taken every two hours,

from the time the ship leaves until she returns to port.

And do you know whether these tests were made?

They were.

WILLIAM SMITH: Did you make them?

Oh, no, sir.

Were they made under your direction?

CHARLES LIGHTOLLER: No, sir.

Then how do you know they were made?

It's the routine of the ship, sir.

So you assumed they were made.

-Yes, sir. -But you cannot, of your own knowledge, say that they were.

Not of my own actual seeing, no, sir.

And these tests are taken to ascertain the proximity of icebergs?

No, sir.

So for what purpose were the tests made?

It's the routine of the ship.

It's customary in the White Star Line to do so every two hours.

And the information was not communicated to you directly after each test?

Not unless I ask for it.

And you didn't think it necessary to ask for it that night?

CHARLES LIGHTOLLER: No, sir.

You knew you were in the vicinity of icebergs, did you not?

Well, a temperature is absolutely no guide to icebergs, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: I did not ask you that, Mr. Lightoller.

Did you know you were in the vicinity of icebergs?

CHARLES LIGHTOLLER: No, sir.

Did you know of a wireless message from the SS America

to Titanic warning you that you were in the vicinity of icebergs?

Whether I knew it or not, I was in no position to alter our course, sir.

Mr. Lightoller, you must have been painfully aware

of the fact that there were not enough

lifeboats to care for that large of a passenger list,

were you not?

Yes, sir.

And from what you've said, you discriminated entirely

in the interest of the passengers,

first the women and children, in filling those lifeboats.

CHARLES LIGHTOLLER: Yes, sir.

Why did you do that?

Captain's orders or the rule of the sea?

Rule of human nature.

And there was no studied purpose, as far you know,

to save the crew?

Absolutely not.

And did you witness the attempt to get women to enter

the lifeboats who would not go?

Yes, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: They were asking their husbands to join them.

They all did.

[screaming]

[water splashing]

MAN: No! Help!

WOMAN: Stop it!

There's no room!

MAN: We can't.

MAN: It'll overturn the boat.

[screaming]

WOMAN: Why are you leaving us?

Looked like that when I found her.

Who is this?

Richard Allen.

Alaine Ricard, Senator.

Pleased to meet you.

Would you see to it that the witnesses

are made aware the inquiry is moving to Washington?

No one goes home.

So, Alaine Ricard, Richard Allen, whoever you are,

I believe you know my assistant, Miss Malloy.

I don't think we've been formally introduced.

WILLIAM SMITH: My question is, what do you hope to accomplish

with this type of journalism.

I don't follow.

Does selling newspapers outweigh morality?

Based on your appearance, it is clear there

are others who take exception.

Were those not your words, sir?

That was a private conversation.

When you were reciting Mr. Ismay's private telegrams?

[dramatic music]

[exhales loudly]

Listen carefully.

Everything that I did was perfectly legal. I stand--

Good evening, Senator Smith.

Do you mind if I sit?

Allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Lucille, the Countess of Rothes.

Good evening, Countess.

It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Malloy.

And who is this rather battered young woman?

I'm Alaine Ricard, journalist.

Nice to meet you, ma'am.

THE COUNTESS OF ROTHES: It's nice to meet you, Miss Ricard.

Senator Smith, I understand you received

a visit from the Duchess of Delitta.

What an awful woman.

We had trouble enough without her ideas

as to the value of immigrants.

Indeed.

From what I hear, the emigres aren't the only ones being given a hard time.

Madame, we're just searching for the truth.

If this had been an act of God,

then it would simply have been a great tragedy.

But it was not an act of God.

I do understand, Senator.

But for those of us aboard the ship, there is only one truth.

We had 10 minutes, sir...

10 minutes.

Women and children first.

At this time, we require only women and children.

CREW: Man your stations.

Where will we go?

Why are we being separated?

[babies crying]

[muffled voices]

WOMAN: I won't leave without my family.

[non-english speech]

Ma'am, please remain calm.

If you're to stay on the boat, you must behave in an orderly manner.

[non-english speech]

[non-english speech]

This boat is for the women.

The men have their own boat.

To your lifeboat. We're boarding now.

[soft orchestra music playing]

CHILD: Mummy, why are we leaving?

Why is father not coming with us?

CREW: Remain calm.

I'm not going to need this anymore, my dear.

I've spent my whole life with that man.

I am not going to change now.

Mrs. Straus, please, remain seated.

We'll be lowering shortly.

[orchestra music continues]

CREW: Lowering away.

Where you go, I go.

The older couple, do you know their names?

Straus, Ida and Isidor Straus.

I believe they have a department store here in New York.

ALAINE RICARD: Macy's, 34th and Broadway.

THE COUNTESS OF ROTHES: Those are only a few of the stories, Senator.

It matters less as to who or what was at fault.

The crew was valiant.

Many more would have been lost if it

weren't for their selflessness.

I do hope that is being considered.

[sharp inhale]

I would like to hear more of these stories.

I only know my own.

However, I imagine anyone who survived that night would

have quite a story to tell.

ALAINE RICARD: I know where they are.

I could take you.

[contemplative music]

[indistinct voices]

[babies crying]

I said this was not to happen.

They are here on their own free will.

This is where the aid remains,

immigrant women who lost their husbands,

in most cases, the sole breadwinner of the family.

[water splashing]

[grunting]

[shrieking]

Lilly! Lilly!

You've been here.

Aboard Carpathia, we had nothing but time.

As it turns out, I'm not entirely hopeless with needle and yarn.

I didn't know what became of you.

[gasping for air]

[whimpering]

[straining]

[grunting]

[yelling and glass breaking]

[moaning]

[gasping]

[breathing heavily]

Anyway...

the other rescue ship should be here soon.

Her husband, she's waiting.

[baby crying]

We will return to Washington and inform

Mr. Bayliss that his services are no longer needed.

[music playing]

NANCY SMITH: Oh!

[laughing]

WILLIAM SMITH: Mm.

NANCY SMITH: Oh!

I've kept up with all of the papers.

It's going well?

Not as I'd hoped.

Come with me.

From an admiring public.

WOMAN: We were told not even God can sink that ship.

Quartermaster Fleet,

stationed in the crow's nest, was there anyone at a higher point aboard Titanic?

No, sir.

You were the lookout, the eyes of the ship?

Yes, sir.

And did you keep a sharp lookout?

Mr. Fleet, with your former employer the Oceanic,

you were supplied with binoculars

or field glasses, were you not?

Yes, sir.

And did you request such from Titanic?

FREDERICK FLEET: In Southampton...

they said there was none intended for us.

We could have seen it a bit sooner.

How much sooner?

Well, I have had experience with all manner of ships

afloat, sir, from the schooner to the square-rigged

sailing vessel to the steamship, all manner of ships afloat, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: Major Peuchen, I fail

to see why you were so expansive when you talked to the press

and so reluctant when you appear before this committee.

Senator Smith, I have told you everything I can.

If you care, you can see my records. They're complete.

Captain Lord, what was the location of your ship,

the Californian, on the 14th of April last,

the date of the Titanic sinking?

At what time?

WILLIAM SMITH: At 6 o'clock in the morning of that day.

We have not got it down here, sir.

I can give it to you at 9:40 and at noon.

WILLIAM SMITH: Give it to me at 9:40.

42.47.

A little more specifically, please.

42 North and 47 West.

Are you reading from the log of the Californian?

STANLEY LORD: The ship's log, yes.

What other entries do you have in that log

as to your position on that date?

At 6:30.

6:30 PM?

Yes, sir.

We had 42 degrees 5 and 49.10,

as having passed two large icebergs.

WILLIAM SMITH: And what is the next entry?

There is no position given here, sir.

The next entry is 7:15 PM.

"Passed one large iceberg and two more in sight to the southward."

And where were you at that time?

There is no position given here, sir.

Captain Lord, did you attempt to communicate with the vessel Titanic that Sunday?

Yes, sir.

WILLIAM SMITH: At what time of day?

10 minutes to 11:00...

PM.

And what was that communication?

We told them we were stopped and surrounded by ice.

WILLIAM SMITH: And did the Titanic respond to that message?

Yes, sir.

I believe Titanic told our operator they had read it

and to "shut up" or "stand by" or something, that they were busy.

That was Titanic's reply.

[audience muttering]

First-class were paying them to send messages back home.

Instead of heeding an ice warning?

[metal grinding]

In the lifeboats, 4th Officer Boxhall

and Quartermaster Hitchins both said they

were rowing towards a light.

"On those living in the land of the shadow of death,

a light has dawned."

Matthew 4:16.

Sir, I've read articles where passengers

also spoke of a light, an actual light, off the horizon.

ALAINE RICARD: It was the Californian.

The ice warnings from Captain Stanley Lord

stated that they, too, were surrounded by ice,

those very same ice fields.

There was a light within 15 miles of those people.

I understand that's the type of story your readers would love to hear.

But the negligence aboard one ship

did not cause the sinking of another.

I brought you this.

[pensive music]

WILLIAM SMITH: Are you reading from the log of the Californian?

[muffled voices]

At the time you boarded what would be your lifeboat,

did you say anything to the Captain about entering it?

BRUCE ISMAY: I never saw the Captain.

WILLIAM SMITH: Then who, if anyone, told you to enter it?

No one.

Why did you?

BRUCE ISMAY: Because there was room.

She was being lowered away. I thought the ship was going down, and I got into the boat.

Sir Bruce...

I don't imagine history will be very kind to you.

(READING) "I, Harold Godfrey Lowe,

5th Officer of the late steamship, Titanic,

stated that I fired shots

to prevent Italian immigrants from jumping into my lifeboat.

I do thereby cancel the word "Italian"

and substitute the word immigrants

belonging to the Latin races."

Major Peuchen, I'm Alaine Ricard.

I'm curious, sir, as to why you had so little to say during your testimony.

Don't worry, sir. I'm with the press.

You said your name was?

Alaine Ricard, Chelsea Courier.

Ma'am, I think we all know the press

will well outlive this inquiry.

That's true, sir.

But you had quite a bit to say prior to your testimony

and then, well, sir, nothing.

Understand, it was simply formality.

It won't serve America to persecute its allies.

How do you mean?

ARTHUR PEUCHEN: Bankrupting the White Star

or the ship's builder, along with other fallout,

could cripple the economy of Great Britain.

Hmmm...

60,000 unemployed to start, plus...

JP Morgan has an agreement with the British military

that would be nullified if the bank were to seize his ships.

What agreement with the military?

War,

Miss Ricard,

war.

Let's just say, I don't believe America would

care to be stuck with the bill.

Or lose the political support of the richest man in the world.

WILLIAM SMITH: Mr. President, how are you, sir?

WILLIAM TAFT (ON PHONE): Oh, I can't complain.

But it seems Mr. Roosevelt is enjoying a bit of a surge.

Massachusetts and New York are still in your favor.

So far.

I understand you're continuing with your hearings.

I am, sir.

I think that's enough, Smith.

We have to move on from this Titanic circus.

You found all the truth you're going to find, and now you're doing more harm than good.

There's no one to blame.

The dead are not complaining.

That's a bit insensitive.

Don't you dare, Senator.

I had a close associate on that ship

whose body was never recovered.

The President's military strategist sightseeing in Europe.

Mr. Senator,

your words before the Senate will determine all the days that follow.

I recommend you choose very carefully.

[hangs up phone]

Ah, I was just trying to swim.

Um, there was a man.

There was a lot of them floating around.

Uh, he got me by the neck like that, and...

eh, pressed me under, eh,

trying to get on top of me.

I said to him, "Let go."

Of course, he was not paying any attention to that.

But I got away from him.

[water splashing]

God bless you. Oh, thank God!

Bless you!

Give me your hand.

Hello!

Someone, please, please, give me your hand.

I cannot swim.

-I can't. -I'm going to die if you do not take my hand!

MAN: Listen to me!

Please, I cannot live!

Please let me have your hand.

Listen to me!

-Listen to me! -I need your help.

If you pull on this boat, it will capsize,

and we will all die.

Calm down. Do you understand?

-Yes, yes! -Listen to my voice.

I need you-- look at me--

to stay calm.

-Do you understand? -I understand.

-We are overloaded. -All right, all right.

But, please, I cannot live long.

I will not live long.

Some of them were trying to get on their feet,

and some fall into the water again.

And some were frozen.

Two were dead and had to be sent overboard.

[water splashes]

Sir, sir, please, sir.

Give me your hand.

[fire crackling]

WILLIAM SMITH: (READING) "Mr. President, my associates and I

return the Commission handed to us on the 18th day of April last,

directing an immediate inquiry into the causes leading to the destruction

of the steamship Titanic."

I know what I have to say, but I hesitate to say it.

I never much liked the idea of living in the White House. [laughs softly]

Just tell the truth.

People don't want the truth.

They want someone to blame, preferably someone alive.

All I have on Ismay is that he wasn't gentleman enough to go down with the ship.

Unfortunately, being a coward is not a crime.

[pensive music]

[sighs]

[soft music]

[pencil scratches paper]

[loud exhale]

William.

The upper class were loaded into those lifeboats so carefully.

"Watch your step, ma'am.

Are you warm enough? Comfortable?"

The less privileged watched from the rail,

patiently waiting their turn, terrified, I'm sure.

until they were told that there would be no more boats.

Imagine having to explain that to your child.

"You will die because we couldn't provide a better ticket."

There was never a general alarm sounded.

We know that there weren't enough lifeboats.

And even those there were,

some of them were sent away half-empty.

The lookout man wasn't provided with the proper equipment.

The ship was moving too fast. Luxury took precedence over safety in every instance.

Even the radio operators were too busy

sending messages for their rich, well-tipping customers

to receive the incoming warnings.

And when all was said and done, a nearby vessel

slept through the screams.

There was one man who received those warnings, Titanic Captain Edward John Smith.

As he rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, ships all around him were stopped,

surrounded by ice,

And he didn't even slow down.

The White Star's society captain had been told that his ship was unsinkable

and he believed it.

And, of course, our archaic laws will do nothing more than protect the corporate interests

at the expense of those left in the water.

Is that what you'll tell the Senate?

[pensive music]

[camera flash pops]

[car engine idling]

[soft chattering]

[whispering] Very comfortable.

[whispering] It's a good thing.

I heard this is over an hour long.

Sorry.

[chuckles]

NEWS ANNOUNCER (ON FILM): Wilbur Wright of the famed Wright Brothers passed away

this week at the age of 45.

After tinkering with printing presses, bicycles, motors,

and other machinery, he and his brother Orville

successfully developed their patented flying machine,

the first controlled, sustained flight

of a powered heavier-than-air aircraft

on a dry windswept afternoon, four miles south

of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Wilbur will be laid to rest near his childhood home

in Montgomery County, Ohio.

The inquiry into the sinking of Titanic

ended last week, with lawmakers scrambling to overhaul

international maritime law.

"An attendant loss of life so shocking to the civilized

world," says Senator William Alden Smith, the chairman

of the investigation.

"The goal is that humanity may never

again have to experience a senseless tragedy of this level."

"Whether it be current or future areas of travel

by sea, rail, or perhaps even the skies,

the United States government has done its duty,"

writes famed journalist Alaine Ricard,

"and now lies in the hands of the free press."

She goes on to say, "The truth, no matter how difficult,

is how we move forward."

Through the work of Senator Smith

and the brave rescuers and survivors of the Titanic,

the event will now live on forever in the public consciousness.

Only a year and a half from the creation of the Boy Scouts of America--

I'm going to take a minute.

I'll be back.

NEWS ANNOUNCER (ON FILM): ...have announced the formation of the Girls Guide group.

Young girls from around the country--

[soft music]

I hope you don't mind. Miss Malloy told me where you might be.

"Famed journalist Alaine Ricard."

At your service, sir.

So what's next?

To Europe.

I believe that's where the story lies.

Not sure the British Board of Trade

is going to do much to indict themselves.

You can count on that.

War is on our doorstep.

We uncovered that most of all.

They'll need you.

Thank you, Senator.

I should, um, get back.

WILLIAM SMITH (VOICEOVER): As the ship was sinking,

strains of music wafted across her deck.

["Nearer My God to Thee" playing]

It was not the note of any martial anthem that had,

in days gone by, led embattled legions on to victory.

It was a more inspiring stanza than that,

a loftier and holier melody,

amid the anguish and sublime pathos

of that awful hour that swept through the compartments of the sinking ship.

It was a rallying cry for the living and the dying,

to rally them not for life but for their awaiting death.

While almost face to face with their Creator,

amid the chaos of that supreme and solemn moment,

with inspiring notes, the unison resounded through the ship.

It told the victims of the wreck that there

was another world beyond the seas,

free from the agony of pain.

And though with somber tones, it cheered them on to their untimely fate.

As the oceans closed over the heroic dead,

let us feel that the heavens opened

for the lives

that were prepared to enter.

Father of the universe, what an admonition to the nation.

The sounds of that awe-inspiring requiem

that vibrated over the ocean are drowned

in the waters of the deep. The instruments that gave them birth are silenced.

WOMAN: Why are you leaving us?

WILLIAM SMITH (VOICEOVER): As the harps were silenced on the willow tree,

if the melody that was rehearsed could only reverberate through this land,

"Nearer My God to Thee,"

[panicked crowd]

and its echoes heard in these halls of legislation

and at every home and fireside, from the mansions of the rich...

[panicked cries]

[grunting]

to the huts and hovels of the poor.

If we could be made to feel that there is a divine law

of obedience and of adjustment,

end of compensation, that demands our allegiance

far above the laws that we formulate in this presence.

[loud metal crashing]

Then from the gloom of these fearful hours, we shall pass...

into the dawn of a higher service

and of a better day.

And then, Mr. President, the lives that went down on this fated night

will not have gone down in vain.

[music playing]

["Nearer My God to Thee" plays]

[music ends]