both clear in that regard.” Smith gazed at a smoldering Ismay intently. “Notwithstanding the implausible nature of this report,” the Senator continued, “if we are to rule out the possibility of its occurrence, we must ask you, as the highest-ranking representative of the White Star Line to survive the disaster, to confirm its incompatibility with your company's values. Therefore, Mr. Ismay, you would regard it as a very dishonorable thing to do?”
“It would have been taking advantage of private knowledge which was in my possession, yes, sir.” Ismay settled back in his chair slightly, tempering his outrage while also deciding to once more voice his displeasure. “ Yes, sir - I should so regard it.”
“Was the knowledge of the sinking of the Titanic that was in your possession communicated by you to your company in Liverpool, or to your offices in New York?”
Ismay's heart was still racing from the previous exchange, but he cleared his throat and forced himself to focus on the latest question. “I sent a message on Monday morning, very shortly after I boarded the Carpathia . The captain came down to me and said, 'Don't you think, sir, you had better send a message to New York, telling them about this accident?' I said, 'Yes.' I wrote it out on a slip of paper, and I turned to him and said, 'Captain, do you think that is all I can tell them?' He said, 'Yes.' Then he took it away from the room.” Still stinging from the suggestion that the White Star Line had tried to reinsure the Titanic before making a formal announcement that the ship had sunk, Ismay reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a collection of slightly crumpled papers. “I have a copy here, sir, of every Marconi message which I sent away from the Carpathia . I had no communication with any other ship, and there is a record of every message which I received. This is the message I sent, which was received by Mr. Phillip Franklin- who is seated next to me right here- on the 17th of April, 1912. Mr. Franklin is the vice president of the company that owned our ship.” Ismay held the stack of messages out, expecting one of the Senate's pages to collect them.
Smith shook his head slightly, sensing an opportunity for Ismay to speak for himself, albeit somewhat theatrically. “It will not take long, and I think I would like to have you read them, inasmuch as they came from you.”
Ismay's outstretched arm sagged slightly, as he sensed in desperation that the inquiry's attention was going to remain solely on him for the time being. “Yes, sir, I will do so,” he muttered. He placed the messages down on the table before him, as he pulled a pair of reading glasses from the front pocket of his coat with slightly unsteady hands. “This is a message I sent on April 15th.” Ismay coughed once before continuing in the choppy language of the Marconigram.
“'Deeply regret advise you Titanic sank at 2:20 A.M. this morning after collision iceberg, resulting serious loss life. Full particulars later. YAMSI.' This is a message sent by Mr. Franklin to me on April 17, 1912- ' So thankful you are saved, but grieving with you over terrible calamity. Shall sail Saturday to return with you. Florence.' That was from my wife, and was forwarded to me by Mr. Franklin, who added, ' Accept my deepest sympathy horrible catastrophe. Will meet you aboard Carpathia after docking.'”
“Who signed that?” asked Smith.
“It was signed 'Franklin.' This is a message I sent. I have not the date of it, but it was received by Mr. Franklin on April 17, 1912- ' Most desirable Titanic crew aboard Carpathia should be returned home earliest moment possible. Please send outfit of clothes, including shoes, for me. Have nothing of my own. Please reply. YAMSI.' This is a message-”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Ismay,” Smith interrupted. “Have I understood you more than once to say 'YAMSI', right at the end of your
“It would have been taking advantage of private knowledge which was in my possession, yes, sir.” Ismay settled back in his chair slightly, tempering his outrage while also deciding to once more voice his displeasure. “ Yes, sir - I should so regard it.”
“Was the knowledge of the sinking of the Titanic that was in your possession communicated by you to your company in Liverpool, or to your offices in New York?”
Ismay's heart was still racing from the previous exchange, but he cleared his throat and forced himself to focus on the latest question. “I sent a message on Monday morning, very shortly after I boarded the Carpathia . The captain came down to me and said, 'Don't you think, sir, you had better send a message to New York, telling them about this accident?' I said, 'Yes.' I wrote it out on a slip of paper, and I turned to him and said, 'Captain, do you think that is all I can tell them?' He said, 'Yes.' Then he took it away from the room.” Still stinging from the suggestion that the White Star Line had tried to reinsure the Titanic before making a formal announcement that the ship had sunk, Ismay reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a collection of slightly crumpled papers. “I have a copy here, sir, of every Marconi message which I sent away from the Carpathia . I had no communication with any other ship, and there is a record of every message which I received. This is the message I sent, which was received by Mr. Phillip Franklin- who is seated next to me right here- on the 17th of April, 1912. Mr. Franklin is the vice president of the company that owned our ship.” Ismay held the stack of messages out, expecting one of the Senate's pages to collect them.
Smith shook his head slightly, sensing an opportunity for Ismay to speak for himself, albeit somewhat theatrically. “It will not take long, and I think I would like to have you read them, inasmuch as they came from you.”
Ismay's outstretched arm sagged slightly, as he sensed in desperation that the inquiry's attention was going to remain solely on him for the time being. “Yes, sir, I will do so,” he muttered. He placed the messages down on the table before him, as he pulled a pair of reading glasses from the front pocket of his coat with slightly unsteady hands. “This is a message I sent on April 15th.” Ismay coughed once before continuing in the choppy language of the Marconigram.
“'Deeply regret advise you Titanic sank at 2:20 A.M. this morning after collision iceberg, resulting serious loss life. Full particulars later. YAMSI.' This is a message sent by Mr. Franklin to me on April 17, 1912- ' So thankful you are saved, but grieving with you over terrible calamity. Shall sail Saturday to return with you. Florence.' That was from my wife, and was forwarded to me by Mr. Franklin, who added, ' Accept my deepest sympathy horrible catastrophe. Will meet you aboard Carpathia after docking.'”
“Who signed that?” asked Smith.
“It was signed 'Franklin.' This is a message I sent. I have not the date of it, but it was received by Mr. Franklin on April 17, 1912- ' Most desirable Titanic crew aboard Carpathia should be returned home earliest moment possible. Please send outfit of clothes, including shoes, for me. Have nothing of my own. Please reply. YAMSI.' This is a message-”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Ismay,” Smith interrupted. “Have I understood you more than once to say 'YAMSI', right at the end of your
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