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How Carpathia answered Titanic: what the testimony records

Cottam, Rostron and Durrant used different clocks, and the conversion of Durrant’s time remains disputed. Rostron gave a course and distance, but his testimony does not locate Carpathia when she turned. The reports preserve different survivor totals.

What position did Titanic transmit?

The point marks Titanic’s transmitted position. The testimony does not locate where Carpathia turned.

The available evidence does not locate Carpathia’s route.Interpolated track — not shownReported ice sightings

Reported course and distance N 52° W (true) · 58 miles; type unspecified · Rostron gave Carpathia’s course and distance from the point where she turned towards Titanic’s transmitted position. His testimony does not locate that starting point or supply coordinates for plotting the course. U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25389 · U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25389

Carpathia’s position when she turned Rostron said he could not give Carpathia’s position when he turned her. U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 · U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25389 · U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25389

Reported ice sightings The testimony describes ice but gives no coordinates for the sightings at sea. British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25419-Q25424 and Q25507-Q25516 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25419-Q25420 and Q25422 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25422 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25421 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25501 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25501 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25501-Q25502

What time did each witness give?

The shared axis uses New York time. Cottam corrected his first time. Rostron used Carpathia’s apparent time and stated its offset from New York. Durrant used Mount Temple’s clock; a later inquiry recalculated its offset. Each time and conversion remains tied to its source.

Choose a minute on the New York timeline01:17 NY

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Harold Cottam, later British testimony recalling his U.S. answerNew York timeClock offset: New York time is the reference · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17182 and Q17200

Harold Cottam, British inquiry testimonyNew York timeClock offset: New York time is the reference · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17182 and Q17200

Compiled Marconi record read at the British inquiryNew York timeClock offset: New York time is the reference · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17182 and Q17200

Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent timeClock offset: NY = Carpathia apparent time −1 h 50 min · U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25385

no time on the New York axis

Herbert DurrantMount Temple timeClock offset: NY = Mount Temple time −1 h 46 min · Durrant’s stated offset · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcripts · Day 8, Durrant Q9435-Q9450; Day 15, Solicitor-General's explanation before Cottam Q17084Clock offset: NY = Mount Temple time −1 h 55 min · Later recalculation read during Cottam’s testimony · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Solicitor-General's explanation before Cottam Q17084, citing Durrant Q9451 and Q9458

Harold Bride’s letterclock not specifiedClock offset: no documented clock conversion

no time on the New York axis

Cape Race time in the U.S. reportNew York timeClock offset: New York time is the reference · U.S. Senate inquiry report · Report, 'Pleas for Help'

GMT calculated from New York civil timecalculated GMTClock offset: NY = calculated GMT −5 h · IANA Time Zone Database, northamerica source file · America/New_York zone rule

Each witness’s latest mapped statement at or before the selected time

Harold Cottam, later British testimony recalling his U.S. answer Time Cottam later said he had given in New York, recalled at the British inquiry and then withdrawn: 23:20 New York time 23:20 NYHarold Cottam, British inquiry testimony Time Cottam says he heard Titanic’s last message: 23:55 New York time 23:55 NYCompiled Marconi record read at the British inquiry Time in the Marconi record’s first entry for the call: 23:20 New York time 23:20 NYArthur Rostron Rostron says he saw the first iceberg: about a quarter to three Carpathia apparent time 00:55 NYHerbert Durrant Durrant records Carpathia answering Titanic’s CQD call: 00:21 Mount Temple time 22:35 NY Using Durrant’s stated offsetHarold Bride’s letter No event is recorded for this witness by the selected time.Cape Race time in the U.S. report Cape Race records receiving Titanic’s distress call: 22:25 New York time 22:25 NYGMT calculated from New York civil time GMT equivalent calculated from Cottam’s corrected time: 03:35 calculated GMT 22:35 NY

Times given in testimony, their New York conversions and the cited documents
Witness	Event	Time stated	Time converted to New York	Document
Harold Cottam, later British testimony recalling his U.S. answerNew York time	Time Cottam later said he had given in New York, recalled at the British inquiry and then withdrawn	23:20 New York time later withdrawn	23:20 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17068 and Q17181; Cottam says 23:20 was the time he gave in New York sources disagree Read the wording in the document 11.20 p.m. Clock used in the source: New York time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17068 and Q17181; Cottam says 23:20 was the time he gave in New York
Harold Cottam, British inquiry testimonyNew York time	Time Cottam corrected in his London testimony	22:35 New York time	22:35 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17068, Q17181, Q17181a, Q17182 sources disagree Read the wording in the document 10.35 exactly. Clock used in the source: New York time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17068, Q17181, Q17181a, Q17182
Harold Cottam, British inquiry testimonyNew York time	Time Cottam says he heard Titanic’s last message	23:55 New York time	23:55 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17145-Q17146 and Q17193-Q17200 supported by the document Read the wording in the document 11.55 New York time Clock used in the source: New York time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17145-Q17146 and Q17193-Q17200
Compiled Marconi record read at the British inquiryNew York time	Time in the Marconi record’s first entry for the call	23:20 New York time	23:20 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17181; compiled procès-verbal read in evidence sources disagree Read the wording in the document 11.20 p.m. Heard 'Titanic' calling 'S.O.S.' and 'C.Q.D.' Clock used in the source: New York time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 15, Q17181; compiled procès-verbal read in evidence
Compiled Marconi record read at the British inquiryNew York time	Corrected time in the Marconi record, read to Rostron	22:35 New York time	22:35 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25386 sources disagree
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says he was told of the distress and ordered Carpathia turned	00:35 Carpathia apparent time	22:45 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; corroborated in British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25385 supported by the document Read the wording in the document At 12:35 a. m. on Monday I was informed of the urgent distress signal from the Titanic. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; corroborated in British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25385
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron confirms the British inquiry’s time for the last message	about a quarter to two Carpathia apparent time	23:55 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25399 supported by the document Read the wording in the document at about a quarter to two Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25399
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron’s U.S. inquiry answer about the engine-room message time	about one o’clock; ‘25 minutes after’ Carpathia apparent time	no time on the New York axis	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 sources disagree Read the wording in the document That would have been about 1 o'clock. That would be 25 minutes after. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron sees a green flare	02:40 Carpathia apparent time	00:50 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry Q25394-Q25396 · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25394-Q25396 supported by the document Read the wording in the document At 2:40, I saw a flare Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry Q25394-Q25396 · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25394-Q25396
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says he saw the first iceberg	about a quarter to three Carpathia apparent time	00:55 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25419-Q25420 and Q25422 supported by the document Read the wording in the document the first iceberg we saw was at a quarter to 3 Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25419-Q25420 and Q25422
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Department heads report ready; Carpathia has not yet arrived	03:45 Carpathia apparent time	01:55 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 supported by the document Read the wording in the document This was at 3:45. That was a quarter of an hour before we got up to the scene of the disaster. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says in the U.S. inquiry that he stopped the engines	04:00 Carpathia apparent time	02:10 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; U.S. report · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 and continuation sources disagree Read the wording in the document I stopped my engines at 4 o'clock Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; U.S. report · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 and continuation
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says Carpathia was nearly at the transmitted position; he saw no boat	04:00 Carpathia apparent time	02:10 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25401-Q25404 supported by the document Read the wording in the document At four o'clock I considered I was practically up to the position Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25401-Q25404
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says in the British inquiry that he stopped the engines	about five minutes after four Carpathia apparent time	02:15 NYTime converted to New York	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25401-Q25404 sources disagree Read the wording in the document I stopped, at about five minutes after four. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25401-Q25404
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	The first boat comes alongside Carpathia	04:10 Carpathia apparent time	02:20 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25401 supported by the document Read the wording in the document At 10 minutes past four we got alongside. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25401
Arthur RostronCarpathia apparent time	Rostron says everyone rescued was aboard	08:30 Carpathia apparent time	06:40 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript and U.S. report · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 continuation; U.S. report, Captain Rostron supported by the document Read the wording in the document By 8:30 all were aboard. Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time U.S. Senate inquiry transcript and U.S. report · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 continuation; U.S. report, Captain Rostron
Herbert DurrantMount Temple time	Durrant records the first distress message	00:11 Mount Temple time	22:25 NYTime converted to New YorkUsing Durrant’s stated offset 22:16 NYTime converted to New YorkUsing the later recalculation	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 8, Q9435-Q9451 supported by the document Read the wording in the document 12.11 a.m. Clock used in the source: Mount Temple time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 8, Q9435-Q9451
Herbert DurrantMount Temple time	Durrant records Carpathia answering Titanic’s CQD call	00:21 Mount Temple time	22:35 NYTime converted to New YorkUsing Durrant’s stated offset 22:26 NYTime converted to New YorkUsing the later recalculation	British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 8, Q9458-Q9459 supported by the document Read the wording in the document 'Titanic' still calling C.Q.D.; is answered by the 'Carpathia'. Clock used in the source: Mount Temple time British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 8, Q9458-Q9459
Harold Bride’s letterclock not specified	Bride’s letter records both CQD and SOS calls	no time stated clock not specified	no time on the New York axis	U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Day 14, Bride letter read into record supported by the document Read the wording in the document Again Mr. Phillips called 'C Q D' and 'S O S' Clock used in the source: clock not specified U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Day 14, Bride letter read into record
Cape Race time in the U.S. reportNew York time	Cape Race records receiving Titanic’s distress call	22:25 New York time	22:25 NYTime converted to New York	U.S. Senate inquiry report · Report, 'Pleas for Help' supported by the document Read the wording in the document 10.25 p.m. New York time Clock used in the source: New York time U.S. Senate inquiry report · Report, 'Pleas for Help'
GMT calculated from New York civil timecalculated GMT	GMT equivalent calculated from Cottam’s corrected time	03:35 calculated GMT	22:35 NYTime converted to New York	Arithmetic using Cottam's corrected time and IANA New York zone history · British inquiry Q17181-Q17182; IANA America/New_York rule arithmetic calculation

What speeds did Rostron report for Carpathia?

Rostron said the distance from Carpathia’s turning point to Titanic’s transmitted position was 58 miles, covered in 3.5 hours. Dividing those figures gives 16.6 miles an hour. His testimony does not say whether the miles were nautical or statute, so the equivalent in knots cannot be established.

Selected speed, in knots15.5 kn

14.0 kn · Rostron’s ordinary speed · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25390 supported by the document
15.5 kn · Planned trial speed in the launch report; not a trial result. · The Engineer, 'A floating dock and a new Cunarder' · 8 August 1902 issue, p. 136 supported by the document
17.5 kn · Rostron’s approximate top speed that night · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25390 supported by the document
16.6 source miles per hour; knots only if the miles were nautical · Reported distance divided by stated time, in miles per hour · Arithmetic from U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Rostron, U.S. Day 1 arithmetic calculation

Calculated duration at the selected speed

If Rostron meant nautical miles3.7 hours

If Rostron meant statute miles3.3 hours

Distance Rostron reported: 58 miles; type unspecified

Time Rostron reported: 3.5 hours

Compare each estimate conditionally with Rostron’s reported time: his testimony says “miles” but does not specify the type.

How many survivors do the documents record?

The British and U.S. inquiries published different totals. Rostron said another number had been reported to him. Each total remains tied to the source that recorded it.

711

British inquiry report

711 / 2,201 · British Wreck Commissioner's report · Report, 'Numbers Saved' sources disagree

Read the wording in the document

Total on board saved 711 out of 2,201

Clock used in the source: clock not specified

British Wreck Commissioner's report · Report, 'Numbers Saved'

706

U.S. inquiry report

706 / 2,223 · U.S. Senate inquiry report · Report, 'Summary of Passengers and Survivors' sources disagree

705

Number reported to Rostron

705 · British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25485-Q25487 sources disagree

Read the wording in the document

It was reported to me that 705 was the number of survivors

Clock used in the source: clock not specified

British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry transcript · Day 28, Q25485-Q25487

In the British table, 706 is the number of third-class passengers aboard, not the number rescued.

What did each ship know?

The panel shows the latest time-stamped information each witness recorded by the selected minute. For Titanic, the documents record messages received by other ships; they do not reconstruct everything known aboard.

Titanic

The documents used here record what other ships received. They do not reconstruct everything known aboard Titanic.

Carpathia

00:35 Carpathia apparent time · Rostron says he was told of the distress and ordered Carpathia turned supported by the document

about a quarter to two Carpathia apparent time · Rostron confirms the British inquiry’s time for the last message supported by the document

Mount Temple

00:11 Mount Temple time · Durrant records the first distress message supported by the document

00:21 Mount Temple time · Durrant records Carpathia answering Titanic’s CQD call supported by the document

When was the captain told?

A matter of a couple of minutes.
U.S. Senate inquiry transcript · Day 1, testimony of Harold T. Cottam supported by the document

At 12:35 a. m. on Monday I was informed of the urgent distress signal from the Titanic.
Clock used in the source: Carpathia apparent time
U.S. Senate inquiry transcript; corroborated in British inquiry · Rostron, U.S. Day 1; British Q25385 supported by the document

Which distress signal came first?

In his spoken testimony, Bride says Phillips sent CQD first. Bride’s letter records SOS as well, later in the sequence. Both the British and U.S. inquiries found that the Californian saw the distress signals and did not answer.

CQD

Bride says Phillips sent CQD and Titanic’s call sign, MGY. Marconi described CQD as his company’s conventional signal.

SOS

Marconi said SOS was the international danger signal specified by the Berlin Convention. Bride’s letter places SOS after CQD in its account of the calls.

Testimony and inquiry reports

Times stay on the clock each witness used; calculations are marked separately, and differing totals remain beside the documents that recorded them.