Carpathia Races  to NY

U. S. Senate Takes Action 

April 18, 1912

As the Carpathia rushed to New York, preparations by Senator Smith for the investigation of the disaster by his subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce forged ahead.  The U. S. Navy then began intercepting telegrams sent from the Carpathia by Bruce Ismay, under a code name Yamsi.  Ismay was making arrangements for a British ship, the Cedric, due to set sail from New York Thursday morning, to delay its sailing until that night, so that British crew members could board it and be whisked away to England without ever setting foot on land.  When the Navy contacted Senator Smith, he arranged for a hasty meeting at the White House with President Taft.  Taft, after consulting with the Attorney General, assured Senator Smith that there was no impropriety in issuing subpoenas to British citizens as long as they were actually within the United States.  Then Smith, along with Senator Francis Newlands of Nevada, as well as marshalls and other officials, rushed to New York, subpoenas in hand, to intercept Ismay and the British crew members on board the Carpathia before they could board the Cedric.

But Senator Smith was not the only one interested in what the occupants of the returning steamer had to say.  Personal wireless messages arrived at the ship for the two young wireless operators, Harold Cottam, 21, of the Carpathia, and Harold Bride, 22, of Titanic, with the signature of their employer, Guglielmo Marconi of the British Marconi Company.  Cottam was instructed to go the the Strand hotel, with this message . . . 

                "Say, old man. Marconi Co. taking good care of you.  Keep your
            mouth shut and hold your story; It is fixed for you so you will get big
            money.  Now, please do your best to clear."

When the ship docked around 9:00 o'clock that night, it was besieged by reporters as well as Senator Smith and other officials of the United States Senate.  Subpoenas were served, as the Senate hearings were to convene the very next morning at 10:00 AM, with J. Bruce Ismay to be the opening witness.

Harold Bride, unable to walk due to his injuries sustained in the sinking, remained aboard the Carpathia, faithfully at his post in the apparatus room.  As for Harold Cottam, he was off to the Strand Hotel.

Senator Smith would soon be asking questions about a lot more than just a sunken ship.

Home
Grease Paint Online    Current Season    Scrapbook
Palace Theatre Virtual Tour    ACT I STAGE!   Gems
E-Box Office    Auditions and Calendar   All About Us    Links