United States Senate Inquiry
Day 1
Testimony of
Guglielmo Marconi
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Marconi, will you give the reporter your full name?
Mr. MARCONI.
Guglielmo Marconi.
Senator SMITH.
State your place of residence, please.
Mr. MARCONI.
London, England.
Senator SMITH.
Your vocation?
Mr. MARCONI.
Electrical engineer and chairman of the British Marconi Co.
Senator SMITH.
As chairman of the British Marconi Co., have you men employed in wireless
telegraphy?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes; a great number.
Senator SMITH.
Did you have one of your employees on the Carpathia?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
When she went to the rescue of the survivors of the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What was his name?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe it is Cottam.
I only met this man last night. I do not know how his name is spelled exactly.
Cottam, I think. He is here.
Senator SMITH.
In the establishment of the wireless service on boats of that character, is it
done under the direction of your company?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Is the operator responsible to your company?
Mr. MARCONI.
He is responsible in so far as the commercial work goes - as to accounting for
messages and the general conduction of a commercial telegraphic service.
Senator SMITH.
From whom does he receive instructions as to his hours of labor and his general
work in that capacity aboard ship?
Mr. MARCONI.
From the captain, according to the exigencies of
the service.
Senator SMITH.
Have you any specific instructions that he is called upon to observe in the
performance of his duty?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, there are numerous instructions which are general rules and regulations
for expediting the traffic and for preventing interference with other ships.
Senator SMITH.
Can you state briefly what those instructions are?
Mr. MARCONI.
They are, in the main, the same rules and regulations as are enacted by the
International Convention on Wireless Telegraphy.
Senator SMITH.
Known as the Berlin treaty?
Mr. MARCONI.
Known as the Berlin treaty, to which Great Britain is a party.
Senator SMITH.
The United States is not yet a party?
Mr. MARCONI.
It is not yet effectively a party, I understand.
Senator SMITH.
The regulations of the international convention are the basis of your
regulations and instructions to your men?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, absolutely.
Senator SMITH.
On shipboard must the operator take his instructions as to the hours of labor
from the captain of the ship?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Under these instructions are you required to have more than one operator on a
ship making a voyage of this character?
Mr. MARCONI.
No - it depends. If the ship is a large one, usually two operators are
supplied.
Senator SMITH.
Do you mean the supplying of two operators depends upon the size of the ship or
upon the character of the apparatus?
Mr. MARCONI.
I mean if it is a large ship like the Titanic, the Olympic,
the Mauretania,
or the Lusitania they
always carry two operators, but the smaller ships of the class or size of
the Carpathia carry one.
Senator SMITH.
When you refer to large or small ships, do you refer to the matter of tonnage
or to the matter of passenger room?
Mr. MARCONI.
I refer to the average number of passengers carried. The number carried or the
number for whom accommodation is provided. We generally presume that a ship
with large passenger accommodations will carry a greater number of passengers.
Senator SMITH.
Was any effort made, to your knowledge, to increase the number of operators on
the Carpathia.
Mr. MARCONI.
It was not considered necessary, and the shipowners did not consider it
necessary either so far as I am aware.
Senator SMITH.
With what kind of wireless service or equipment is the Carpathia provided?
Mr. MARCONI.
The Carpathia is provided with an equipment which I should
call a short-distance equipment; it is an apparatus which can transmit
messages, under favorable circumstances, up to about 180 or 200 miles. On the
average I should say the distance is about 100 miles.
Senator SMITH.
Does this depend upon the weather or the sea?
Mr. MARCONI.
It depends on numerous circumstances. It depends on the state of space; not
necessarily the apparent weather. It may be a very bad day and still the
messages may go all right. It also depends to a large extent on the skill of
the operator.
Senator SMITH.
As to the distance within which communication may be effected?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes. If he can adjust his transmitter to its best condition, approaching its
greatest efficiency, he will effect communication at the greatest distance.
Senator SMITH.
Referring to the equipment on the Carpathia, its maximum efficiency
would be about 180 miles?
Mr. MARCONI.
I should say perhaps 200.
Senator SMITH.
Two hundred miles?
Mr. MARCONI.
Sometimes perhaps more, but on very rare occasions.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know about the equipment of the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Was the Titanic equipped by your company?
Mr. MARCONI.
The Titanic was equipped by my company.
Senator SMITH.
I wish you would describe the wireless equipment of the Titanic,
stating the character of the apparatus and how modern and powerful it was.
Mr. MARCONI.
The wireless equipment on the Titanic was a fairly powerful
set, capable, I should say, of communicating four or five hundred miles during
the daytime and much further during the nighttime.
Senator SMITH.
How much further at nighttime?
Mr. MARCONI.
Very often a thousand miles. I should say almost every night 1,000 miles.
Senator SMITH.
With accuracy?
Mr. MARCONI.
With accuracy.
Senator SMITH.
Would you say that the Titanic was equipped with the latest
and best wireless apparatus?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes. I should say it was the latest apparatus for that purpose.
Senator SMITH.
Did the company, of which you are the president, designate the operators for
the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
Do you mean did it choose the operators for the Titanic?
Senator SMITH.
Yes; or assign them?
Mr. MARCONI.
They assign them generally in consultation with the shipping companies. They
consult the shipping companies in regard to them.
Senator SMITH.
What is the ordinary pay for a wireless telegrapher?
Mr. MARCONI.
In England, on British ships, I think they commence about 30 shillings a week,
and they go up to over £2 per week. In addition to that, they get their board
and lodging. I am speaking now subject to some error, because it is some time
since I have been directly connected with those matters. I have a managing
director who attend the question of salaries.
Senator SMITH.
Your statement is correct, as far as you have made it?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
In America what is the wage?
Mr. MARCONI.
I am not aware of the exact wage paid in America. An official of the American
company is present, and he would be able give you an accurate reply.
Senator SMITH.
How many operators were on the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe there were two.
Senator SMITH.
Did they both survive, do you know?
Mr. MARCONI.
No, sir. One was drowned; died. He was the chief operator, I
am informed.
Senator SMITH.
And the other?
Mr. MARCONI.
And the other was picked up, I believe. He got on a raft, on a collapsible
boat, and he was rescued by the Carpathia, having been wounded in
his ankles or his legs.
Senator SMITH.
At any time during Sunday last, were your offices here in communication with
the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
I can not answer that, but I can produce a person who can.
Senator SMITH.
Have you been in communication with the Carpathia since the
disaster to the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe so, at least a great number of messages have come through from
the Carpathia to my knowledge. I sent no message to the Carpathia,
nor did I receive any.
Senator SMITH.
Did your company?
Mr. MARCONI.
My company has.
Senator SMITH.
Your company has received no messages?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes; my company I believe has.
Senator SMITH.
It has both sent and received messages?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe so; I have no personal knowledge, but I think they have.
Senator SMITH.
Would you say from what you know about the receipt of messages sent from and to
the ship that the wireless was working fairly well?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe it was working fairly well.
Senator SMITH.
You believe it was in good order?
Mr. MARCONI.
In good order; yes.
Senator SMITH.
Where is the operator of the Titanic who survived?
Mr. MARCONI.
The operator of the Titanic is on another Cunard boat; I
believe at the dock; I think the Saxonia. He has
been removed there, but he is unable to walk in consequence of the injury to
his ankles.
Senator SMITH.
He has not been in the hospital?
Mr. MARCONI.
No; I do not think he has.
Senator SMITH.
What boat did you say he was on?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think the Saxonia.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know why he is on the Saxonia?
Mr. MARCONI.
Because the Carpathia was to have sailed.
Senator SMITH.
Today?
Mr. MARCONI.
Today; and of course he did not belong to the Carpathia. He was
just on board.
Senator SMITH.
When does the Saxonia sail?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know.
Senator SMITH.
It is not the intention of this operator to return to England immediately, is
it?
Mr. MARCONI.
No; I do not think it is, and it is not my intention either, that he should
leave.
Senator SMITH.
Have you any authority over him?
Mr. MARCONI.
I have the authority that the president of a company has over one of the
employees.
Senator SMITH.
May I request you to have him remain and present himself to the committee as
soon as agreeable?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes sir; I shall be very glad to instruct him to that effect.
Senator SMITH.
Where is the operator of the Carpathia?
Mr. MARCONI.
The operator of the Carpathia was instructed to be here at 3
o'clock.
Senator SMITH.
Is he here?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not see him. We might have him called. Cottam is his
name.
Mr. JOHN W. GRIGGS.
He is not here.
Mr. MARCONI.
He went on board ship to take his clothes off.
Senator SMITH.
And will be back here?
Mr. MARCONI.
He should be back here now.
Senator SMITH.
I wish you would also ask him to remain.
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Mr. GRIGGS.
Mr. Chairman, if you would allow me, I wish to say that the operator of
the Carpathia as well as the assistant operator of the Titanic have
been detained at the instruction of the officers of the company for the purpose
of being at the service of this committee.
Senator SMITH.
I understand that, Governor.
Mr. GRIGGS.
They will be detained as long as is necessary for this committee to hear them.
With reference to the one from the Titanic, I doubt very much
whether he can be removed from his present quarters without great
inconvenience.
Senator SMITH.
I understand, Governor, from the officers that that is their disposition, but
this being the president of the Marconi Co., I thought I would like to get into
the record his affirmative promise that that should be done.
Mr. MARCONI.
Perhaps I should make one explanation. When I say I am the president of the
Marconi Co. these operators are really in the employ of a subsidiary company of
what we call the Marconi Co., but this company is controlled by the company of
which I am the chairman.
Senator SMITH.
But it is sufficient to say that you feel that you have influence enough to
carry out the wishes of the committee?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
I want to know if you can tell me from your own knowledge whether there was any
general interference from the time this collision occurred at sea on the part
of experimental or rival service to the detriment of this service.
Mr. MARCONI.
I should say, if you will allow me, that I have only seen these operators for a
few minutes; and not having been there, I can not give a very definite answer
to that question. They, no doubt, will be able to reply to it fully, but in so
far as my impression goes, it is that near New York there was some slight
interference, but at a distance from New York, when the Carpathia was
communicating with stations in Long Island and in Nova Scotia, there was
practically no interference.
Senator SMITH.
Can you tell me how wide an area was communicated with from the Carpathia,
generally speaking - considering, for instance, a wireless of the character you
describe?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
And put them in communication with your office here. In the course of that
message, how far from its original point of destination would a message of that
kind extend?
Mr. MARCONI.
Of course, the message, I should say, does not come direct to our office.
Senator SMITH.
Well, to your -
Mr. MARCONI.
It is taken on a coast station.
Senator SMITH.
To your coast station, then.
Mr. MARCONI.
Then it is sent on by wire to the office.
Senator SMITH.
When I referred to your office, I meant coast station.
Mr. MARCONI.
The wireless message, or the waves of ships equipped in the way, that the Carpathia is
equipped, would affect a space which is that contained in a circle of the
diameter of three or four hundred miles. The radius of the station being 200
miles, it will affect a space of 200 miles all around. I am now talking about
the maximum range.
Senator SMITH.
Then interference would be quite possible?
Mr. MARCONI.
Interference would be quite possible, assuming that interferent stations or
parties were using the same wave length as the Carpathia.
Fortunately they use different wave lengths; and you can not interfere while
using different wave lengths.
Senator SMITH.
What wave length would be required on such a communication as the Carpathia first
made to your shore stations?
Mr. MARCONI.
I should say they were using a 600-meter wave, which is one of the
international convention waves. I have not the information in regard to that,
but I assume it.
Senator SMITH.
Is that the minimum of the international convention?
Mr. MARCONI.
No; it is the longest.
Senator SMITH.
I mean the maximum.
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir; the maximum. The shortest is 300.
Senator SMITH.
And the minimum is 300?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
This was the maximum wave length -
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes
Senator SMITH.
Prescribed by the international convention?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Would the instrument of the Carpathia have been able to send a
greater wave length than 600?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not think so.
Senator SMITH.
Did you hear the captain of
the Carpathia testify?
Mr. MARCONI.
I heard the end of his evidence; just the latter part.
Senator SMITH.
Did you hear him say that they caught this message from the Titanic providentially?
Mr. MARCONI.
I heard him say that.
Senator SMITH.
That the operator was removing his shoes and about to retire?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir; I quite admit that it was providential.
Senator SMITH.
And that in five minutes more communication would have been impossible?
Mr. MARCONI.
It was absolutely providential. I agree with the captain.
Senator SMITH.
If this operator is not at his post of duty, has the wireless message no signal
to arouse him?
Mr. MARCONI.
Not the way it is installed on most boats.
Senator SMITH.
Did it have on this boat?
Mr. MARCONI.
It had not, so far as I am aware.
Senator SMITH.
Did it have it on the Titanic?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not think so.
Senator SMITH.
So that it is absolutely necessary that the operator should be at his post all
the time in order to facilitate or give effect to communications from ships or
coast stations?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir; or ships in distress, I should say.
Senator SMITH.
Ships in distress and coast stations?
Mr. MARCONI.
And coast stations. Of course, if a coast station or ship calls another ship
and the operator does not answer, he simply waits until later, till the
operator is awake or until he has come back. I am referring to the ordinary
commercial communications.
Senator SMITH.
Yes, but later in this instance would have probably meant that all these
passengers and crew that were saved would have been lost.
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir; I quite admit that.
Senator SMITH.
Do you recall any international regulations of the Berlin convention or any
provision relating to that matter?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not think there is any provision in regard to that matter.
Senator SMITH.
Ought it not be incumbent upon ships at sea who have the wireless apparatus to
have an operator always at his key?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think it certainly should be. Of course, it might come rather hard on small
ships. The shipowners will not like the expense of two men.
Senator SMITH.
On the English basis of wage it would not be very serious?
Mr. MARCONI.
No; it would not be, but it is very much a matter that affects the shipowners;
they do not like to carry two operators when they can get along with one.
Senator SMITH.
On the Titanic, if you know, was there a constant relay?
Mr. MARCONI.
You mean a constant lookout? Constant attention?
Senator SMITH.
Yes.
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes; there should be and there was.
Senator SMITH.
That was the purpose of having two operators?
Mr. MARCONI.
That was the purpose of having two operators, and also for the purpose of
handling the greater number of messages which come to a larger and more
important ship.
Senator SMITH.
Are those men of equal skill?
Mr. MARCONI.
Usually there is one man in charge who is an experienced man, and the other man
is also a telegraphist, but a junior man of less experience.
Senator SMITH.
And less remuneration?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir. I should, if you will allow me, to state that all the wireless
telegraphists employed on British ships have to get a license of competency
from the English Government, or they are not allowed to operate.
Senator SMITH.
Does that go to their competency as operators?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think it does.
Senator SMITH.
Does it include their character as man?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And general fitness?
Mr. MARCONI.
And general fitness.
Senator SMITH.
Do you have much difficulty in supplying your stations with operators?
Mr. MARCONI.
Sometimes we have. It takes some time to train them. We train them at a school
of ours.
Senator SMITH.
Do you have any regulations that touch the question of their habits?
Mr. MARCONI.
They have to be subject to the discipline of the ship. They must obey the
captain, as everyone aboard a ship has to do, and of course they have to behave
in a decent manner on shore. They must not discredit the service in any way.
Senator SMITH.
I should like to ask whether, in your opinion, the amateur operators of
wireless stations are calculated to minimize the effectiveness of practical
work on land and sea?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think it does effectively minimize or hamper the useful communications,
because on an occasion like this I was told - I always want confirmation from a
man who was there - but, if I remember correctly, I was told last night that a
great number of unknown stations called up the captain for news.
Senator SMITH.
Unknown stations?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir. Of course the ship would not reply except to the authorized stations
sending traffic. That causes interference and causes trouble.
In England, of course, that is impossible, because stations
are not allowed to do that.
Senator SMITH.
How long has wireless telegraphy been a practical science?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think it has been a practical science since - you mean in regard to shipping?
Senator SMITH.
In regard to shipping.
Mr. MARCONI.
I should say since 1900. Of course, great improvements have been made since.
Senator SMITH.
Who made the first successful experiment?
Mr. MARCONI.
On ships?
Senator SMITH.
Yes.
Mr. MARCONI.
I think I did myself.
Senator SMITH.
In what year?
Mr. MARCONI.
In 1897.
Senator SMITH.
Since that time have you have found it efficient in cases of a similar
character?
Mr. MARCONI.
To that of the Titanic and Carpathia. Yes; I am
very glad to say that it has been of paramount utility in a great number of
cases.
Senator SMITH.
In what cases?
Mr. MARCONI.
The most important, looking backward, was the collision, which occurred between
the Republic,
of the White Star Line, and the Florida, near Nantucket; when assistance was
summoned; and, fortunately, in that case practically everyone was saved.
Other cases have occurred with other ships. I remember a
lightship in the English Channel which was run down over 10 years ago which
obtained assistance by the same means; and one of the Cunard liners got into
trouble some time ago - a long time ago - and summoned assistance by the same
methods. Of course the two important and sensational cases in which it has
proved of utility have been the wreck of the Republic, and this
disaster to the Titanic.
Senator SMITH.
Do you regard the Berlin convention as a step in the direction of the
international utility of wireless telegraphy?
Mr. MARCONI.
I think in regard to shipping and shore stations it is a good regulation. It is
a means for regulating the working and preventing interference; provided,
however, that it is administered in a fair manner by the Governments concerned.
Senator SMITH.
How many wireless stations are there now in the United States; do you know?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know exactly, but there is a fair number.
Senator SMITH.
What is the maximum distance over which communications may be accurately made?
Mr. MARCONI.
The longest distance I can recall is from Ireland to the Argentine Republic.
Senator SMITH.
From where?
Mr. MARCONI.
Ireland.
Senator SMITH.
From what point?
Mr. MARCONI.
Clifton, Ireland, to Buenos Aires.
Senator SMITH.
In the Argentine Republic?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes; in the Argentine Republic. That is 6,000 miles.
Senator SMITH.
Have you personal knowledge of the correctness of that?
Mr. MARCONI.
I have personal knowledge, because I was at the receiving end when the message
was received.
Senator SMITH.
You were at the receiving end?
Mr. MARCONI.
I was in South America, at Buenos Aires. My assistants were in Ireland.
Senator SMITH.
What wave length was used in that test?
Mr. MARCONI.
A wave length between 7,000 and 8,000 meters, 25,000 feet.
Senator SMITH.
In that test was there any mountainous obstructions?
Mr. MARCONI.
There was a part of the coast of Brazil intervening between the two.
Senator SMITH.
And that is mountainous?
Mr. MARCONI.
That is mountainous in that part.
Senator SMITH.
Was the Californian equipped
with wireless?
Mr. MARCONI.
I do not know.
Senator SMITH.
It was not equipped by you?
Mr. MARCONI.
I could not say one way or the other. I should say that I travel about a great
deal and ships are equipped in England when I am not there.
Senator SMITH.
Have you made any experiments in transoceanic service of that character?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir. It is employed at present for transmitting messages between Canada
and Ireland, a place called Glace Bay in Canada, and another place called
Clifton, in Ireland.
Senator SMITH.
Is that assuming a practical phase?
Mr. MARCONI.
That is on a practical and commercial basis, the distance being approximately
2,000 miles between the two points.
Senator SMITH.
What wave length is required?
Mr. MARCONI.
The wave length there is 7,000 meters.
Senator SMITH.
When was that communication between Ireland and Buenos Aires?
Mr. MARCONI.
It was in October, in 1910.
Senator SMITH.
Is there any proficiency test prescribed by any special board in England?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes; the operators have to pass a proficiency test before the post office
authorities, which control the telegraphs in England.
Senator SMITH.
Is there any in this country?
Mr. MARCONI.
I believe there is now.
Senator SMITH.
How recently?
Mr. MARCONI.
Since a law was passed compelling passenger carrying vessels to carry wireless
telegraph apparatus.
Senator SMITH.
About two years ago?
Mr. MARCONI.
About two years ago.
Senator SMITH.
There seems to be a distinction between commercial business and distress or
emergency business, ships business. Why should that be so?
Mr. MARCONI.
For this reason: The commercial business is paid for and accounted for between
the ships and the shore stations and organizations working the telegraphs on
land, whilst, of course, for distress messages and messages affecting the
safety of ships no charge is made and is not in itself a commercial business.
Senator SMITH.
The Berlin convention, however, rather exalts the emergency phase of wireless
telegraphy, giving to distress calls the precedence over all other calls, does
it not?
Mr. MARCONI.
Yes, sir; it has copied us in that, because that was one of our provisions
before there was any Berlin convention.
Senator SMITH.
It even takes precedence of Government business, does it not?
Mr. MARCONI.
Even of Government business; yes.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Marconi, were any orders given by the Marconi Co., to the operators or
the operator on
the Carpathia, with reference to the receipt and answer of
messages?
Mr. MARCONI.
None whatever.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know anything about the effort of the President of the United States to
communicate with the Carpathia?
Mr. MARCONI.
Except what I have read in the newspapers.
Senator SMITH.
But, so far as you know, there was no disposition to censorize or control the
operator of the Carpathia.
Mr. MARCONI.
There was none whatever; and further, I was very much surprised at the things
that were stated in the press, that a reply had been refused or had not been
transmitted.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether there was a reply refused?
Mr. MARCONI.
Only from what I saw in the press. I might say that the operator, of course,
can speak for himself; but I asked him that question last night when I boarded
the Carpathia and he told me that he never dreamed of refusing
to reply to a message sent by the President.
Senator SMITH.
I think that is all. We are very much obliged to you.