BRIDE ON THE STAND
Harold S. Bride, the sole surviving operator of the Titanic, was then called.
Bride said he knew the Frankfurt was nearer than the Carpathia when he called for assistance, but that he ceased his efforts to communicate with the former because her operator persisted in asking, "What is the matter?" despite Bride's message that the ship was in distress.
Time after time Senator Smith asked in varying forms why the Titanic did not explain its condition to the Frankfurt.
"Any operator receiving `C. Q. D.' and the position of the ship, if he is on the job," said Bride, "would tell the captain at once."
Marconi again testified to the distress signals, and said that the Frankfurt was equipped with Marconi wireless. He said that the receipt of the signal "C. Q. D." by the Frankfurt's operator should have been all-sufficient to send the Frankfurt to the immediate rescue.