Smith also got around to other questions bearing on Ismay's credibility. Rostron testified he knew Captain Smith and had met him three times in fifteen years. He testified that the Captain is "In absolute control legal and otherwise. No one can interfere." Pressed further, Rostron qualified his remark. "By law, the captain of the vessel has absolute control, but suppose we get orders from the owners of the vessel to do a certain thing, and we don't carry it out. The only thing is then that we are liable to dismissal."

Finally, he asked Rostron if the captain's absolute authority provided the legal basis for Rostron's decision to go so far off his course and cut full speed through ice to rescue the Titanic's survivors. Rostron nodded. "I can confess this much, that if I had known at the time there was so much ice about, I should not; but I was right in it then. I could see the ice. I knew I was perfectly clear. There is one other consideration. Although I was running the risk with my own ship and my passengers, I also had to consider what I was going for." "To save the lives of others?" Smith suggested. "Yes, I had to consider the lives of the others." "You were prompted by your interest in humanity?" "Absolutely." "And you took the chance?" "It was hardly a chance. Of course it was a chance, but at the same time I knew quite what I was doing. I considered that I was perfectly free, and that I was doing perfectly right in what I did." "I suppose no criticism has been passed upon you for it," Smith said quietly. "No". The senator paused; his lips parted, but nothing came out. Quite unexpectedly his eyes filled with tears which he mopped with a handkerchief. "In fact," Smith choked, "I think I may say for my associates that your conduct deserves the highest praise." (According to his own account of this moment, Smith "could hardly speak the words.") Rostron's eyes were also bedewed. "I thank you, sir," the captain said softly. "And we are very grateful to you, Captain, for coming here."

An important mention was Rostron's effect on the investigation committee. In the words of the captain's own second officer, who was present at the hearing, Rostron's testimony had been "seamanlike and forthright." Summing up his own impressions to reporters, Senator Smith called Rostron "not only an efficient seaman, but one of nature's noblemen." Unfortunately for a number of future witnesses, Rostron's superb seamanship would provide the Senator with a standard against which every interrogated mariner would be measured.

Later during the investigation, it came up that the message that Ismay had sent from the Carpathia directly afer his rescue had not arrived in New York until the following Wednesday - two full days later. Mr. Marconi blamed Rostron for the late message. Senator Smith who had the utmost faith in Rostron, wired the captain on the matter.

Rostron replied from Gibralter: "..Purser asked my permission to send (Ismay's Message), which I granted. As it was official message, Ismay mentally very ill at time, our purser asked him to add last three words; now find sent through Sable Island 17th April. Message given to purser afternoon of 15th; purser took message to Operator Cottam personally and gave my permission to send early as possible. I did not forbid relaying message to any ship. On contrary, I particularly mentioned doing all possible to get official messages, names of survivors, then survivor's messages away by most convenient means. By Olympic were sent messages signed by self to Cunard, Liverpool, and New York, White Star, and (Associated) Press messages. Ismay's almost identical to mine; worked Olympic as long as possible. Other messages I prevented sending were further press messages. I desire full investigation my actions - " Rostron. Smith investigated. He found the Marconi-Times collusion to sell the exclusive story to the NY Times.

It was found during the Investigations that President Taft harbored some hurt feelings over being rebuffed by the Carpathia when he sent a message asking about his aide, Major Archibald Butt. Roston said that his wireless had answered the message about Major Butt with a "Not on Board". Although cleared by his testimony, Rostron was neverthless concerned that his ship had caused the President to worry, and Smith suggested that a personal letter would surely dispel the President's resentment. Roston's letter to Taft, sent directly afterwards, was a masterpiece of deference and tact. He offered his profound regret that the President "should have the slightest cause to imagine that any act of me - or those under my command - could possibly be construed be intentionally or otherwise ignore or disregard any message which Your Excellency might honour me." Several months later, Taft was only too happy to present Captain Rostron with the American Cross of Honor.

After Senator Smith gave his formal report on the Titanic investigation to the US Senate, he added after a poignant pause, to call for a resolution for the coining of a one-thousand dollar medal to be presented to Captain Arthur Henry Rostron by the President of the United States. Smith took deft advantage of the emotional uniformity of his colleagues. "Mr. President, this recognition is so highly deserved, the valor shown by this officer is so marked and worthy of emulation, I am going to ask the senators to give unanimous consent for immediate consideration and that this joint resolution be put on its passage without reference to commitee." Whereupon Rostron's medal was granted by acclamation. Smith then introduced Senate Bill Number 6976 (later known as the Smith Bill), which radically altered the existing statutes of marine legislation.

When Rostron returned to New York, having in the mean time completed the Carpathia's originally scheduled voyage, he found waiting for him a dozen bags of mail containing thousands of letters from the American people. Most of them came from thankful survivors or their friends and relations, and from Americans who in 1912 did not yet have matinee idols to adore. Others come from sincere admirers, from autograph hunters, and from people down on their luck. Some contained proposals of marriage. In addition to the letters were parcels containing Bibles, jewelry, cigarette cases, pens, teapots, binoculars and photographs. Rostron asked his officers to help him answer every letter and acknowledge each gift.

The Titanic disaster that had been the ruin of Ismay became for Captain Rostron of the Carpathia the opportunity of his life. Rostron said it planted his feet "firmly on the ladder of success."

Even before he set foot on land, Captain Rostron found himself an instant hero. His calm self-assurance, his acceptance of risks, his faith in God, his enormous accomplishment were all immediately apparent. The paraphernalia of heroism would follow soon enough - scrolls, testimonial dinners, loving cup, countless speechs, and checks. A plaque of his head was placed in New York's Hall of Fame - an honor never previously given an Englishman.

Even while still on board the Carpathia, survivors from the Titanic organized a committee to raise a fund to express their gratitude and this later amounted to some $15,000. This was used to provide a distribution of cash to all the members of the Carpathia's crew and when the ship returned to New York some six weeks later, the opportunity was taken to present Captain Rostron with a specially commissioned silver loving cup while the crew all received specially struck commemorative medals. The loving cup was handed to the broadly grinning captain by a beaming Mrs. J.J. ("Unsinkable Molly") Brown.

The management of the Cunard Line nobly refused to accept any payment for the services rendered by their ship and, indeed, added to the rewards bestowed on the crew by giving an extra month's wages to all who had been aboard at the time.

The following spring Rostron went to Washington to receive from the hands of President Taft the Congressional Medal of Honour, with the thanks of Congress - the highest tribute which the American Government could bestow. The Captain and his wife were royally feted throughout the United States. He had become one of the most distinguished figures in the British merchant service.

Rostron said that the rescue of the TItanic's survivors - and adventure were "the most drastic and memorable of my career." In 1915, he was given the command of Cunard's Mauretania, a position he retained until 1926 and during which the "Maurey" established some of her speed records. From 1928 to 1931, he commanded the Berengaria. The "Electric Spark"'s career would eventually see him knighted and made Commodore of the Cunard fleet.

He retired in 1931, wrote his memoirs, and died on November 4, 1940. He is buried in the Village of West End on the outskirts of Southampton. His gravestone commemorates his involvement with the Titanic.