William Alden Smith Biography and Timeline

Senate Titanic Investigation Resolution

Leads the move for a Senate investigation immediately after news of Titanic's loss reaches the United States.

Role range: 1912-1912

Titanic Inquiry Resolution Authorized

Leads the Senate effort after passage of the resolution authorizing an investigation into the Titanic disaster.

Role range: 1912-1912

Titanic Senate Hearings Opened

Opens the Senate investigation at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and begins taking testimony about Titanic's loss.

Role range: 1912-1912

United States Titanic Inquiry Opens

Leads the United States Senate inquiry into the Titanic disaster as hearings begin.

Titanic Witness Subpoenas Announced

Announces subpoenas for surviving Titanic officers, wireless operators and crew members needed for further testimony.

Role range: 1912-1912

Titanic Senate Hearings in Washington

Continues the Senate investigation after hearings move from New York to Washington.

Role range: 1912-1912

Washington Titanic Hearings Opened

Resumes the Titanic investigation in Washington so the full subcommittee can participate in the hearings.

Role range: 1912-1912

Late Crew Testimony Session

Takes separate evening testimony from Albert Haines, Samuel Hemming and Frank Evans concerning Titanic's evacuation.

Role range: 1912-1912

Olympic Inquiry Examination

Boards Olympic in New York Harbor and questions officers and crew about Titanic-related wireless and engineering evidence.

Role range: 1912-1912

International Sea Traffic Safety Agreement Recommendation

Supports international agreement on safer ocean traffic, including ship safety requirements and routing in waters threatened by ice.

Lifeboat Reform Recommendation

Supports the report's recommendation that passenger ships carry lifeboat capacity sufficient for everyone aboard.

Role range: 1912-1912

Passenger Drill Recommendation

Supports recommendations for improved lifeboat assignments, crew training and passenger emergency drills before departure.

Role range: 1912-1912

Titanic Senate Report Presented

Presents the subcommittee's final report on the causes and safety lessons of the Titanic disaster.

Role range: 1912-1912

Titanic Senate Report

Presents the Senate inquiry's findings and safety recommendations after weeks of hearings.

United States Lifeboat Capacity Recommendation

Supports Senate recommendations requiring lifeboat capacity adequate for the people carried on ocean-going passenger ships.

United States Lifeboat Crew Training Recommendation

Supports proper assignment and training of crew members so lifeboats can be loaded, lowered and handled efficiently in emergencies.

United States Passenger Drill Recommendation

Supports passenger lifeboat assignments and emergency drills before departure so people know where to go during an abandonment.

United States Radiotelegraph Regulation Recommendation

Supports stronger regulation of shipboard radiotelegraphy after the inquiry exposes weaknesses in emergency wireless communications.

Wireless Regulation Recommendation

Supports stronger regulation of shipboard radiotelegraphy after the inquiry examines failures in emergency communications.

Role range: 1912-1912