Page 120 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

- I have no idea on that, but that is the bunker that was holding the water back. 2063. It was the bunker that was holding the water back? - Yes. The Solicitor-General: It is entirely my fault, but I have not followed the meaning of that. 2064. (The Commissioner.) It was suggested to me that it was a bunker bulkhead that gave way, and that the water rushed from the bunker. (To the Witness.) Do you think that is possible? - It would be possible, because there are watertight compartments inside the bunker. There is a watertight compartment going through the centre of the bunker. 2065. Was the bunker door shut? - I dropped the bunker door. 2066. (The Solicitor-General.) I think there are the elements of a little confusion over this. The bulkhead runs across the ship from the starboard side to the port side, does it not? - Yes. 2067. Is there a coal bunker on either side of the bulkhead on the starboard side? - There is a watertight compartment running right through the centre of the bunker. 2068. There is the watertight bulkhead? - Yes. 2069. (The Commissioner.) But the bunker is partly on one side of the watertight bulkhead and partly on the other? - Yes. 2070. And the watertight bulkhead goes through the middle of the bunker? - Yes. 2071. And then across the ship? - Yes. 2072. (The Solicitor-General.) If you imagine this box is the bunker and that is the starboard skin of the ship, the watertight bulkhead runs through it like that does it not, down the middle? - Yes. 2073. And you were on the after-side of this No. 5? - I was in No. 6 when we shipped it; I was on the after-side of the bulkhead later. 2074. You cannot tell what part of the watertight bulkhead it was which gave way? - No. 2075. But it was your impression that something gave way and the water came in with a rush? - Yes. The Solicitor-General: I see by this plan that the bulkhead, if you trace the line of it across the ship, runs down in a line between the two compartments of the coal bunkers, then it takes a right angle turn up to the watertight door, then it zigzags back again and then it goes through the corresponding bunker on the other side. The Commissioner: I do not quite understand that. (The Solicitor-General explains the plan to his Lordship.) (The Witness withdrew.) (Adjourned to tomorrow at 10.30 o’clock.)