Page 140 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

could not tell you if they were for glasses, but there was a box there that would hold glasses. 2385. Did you look for glasses at all in the crow’s-nest? - We asked for them. 2386. On the “Titanic”? - Yes. I did not personally ask for them, but one of the other fellows did, and they said there were none for us. 2387. Who was the one of the other fellows who asked for them, do you know? – Simmons [Symons] or Jewell; I cannot be sure which one it was. 2388. I think we know Simmons [Symons] was Jewell’s mate on the look-out? - Yes. 2389. Fleet was yours? - Yes. 2390. And I think Hogg and Evans were the other two? - Yes. 2391. Did you come on the look-out at 10 o’clock? - Yes. 2392. On Sunday night the 14th April? - Yes. 2393. How long did you remain on the look-out? - What was your duty? - 4 to 6 and 10 to 12. 2394. I suppose that would mean that you and Fleet came on at 10 o’clock? - Yes. 2395. And relieved Simmons [Symons] and Jewell? - Yes. 2396. Did one of you take the starboard side and one the port side of the crow’s-nest on the look-out? - I generally took the starboard side and Fleet took the port side. 2397. You were on the starboard side. Do you know whether there was any other look-out than you two? - I could not say. We do not know what orders are given from the bridge. 2398. Then when you relieved Jewell and Simmons [Symons] did they pass any word to you? - Yes, they told us to keep a careful look-out for ice and growlers in particular. 2399. They told you to keep a careful look out for ice and growlers? - Yes; by the officer of the watch before 10 o’clock, Mr. Lightoller. 2400. I think I heard you say you remember that very well? - Yes, I think I do. 2401. What sort of a night was it? - A clear, starry night overhead, but at the time of the accident there was a haze right ahead. 2402. At the time of the accident a haze right ahead? - A haze right ahead - in fact it was extending more or less round the horizon. There was no moon. 2403. And no wind? - And no wind whatever, barring what the ship made herself. 2404. Quite a calm sea? - Quite a calm sea. 2405. Was it cold? - Very, freezing. 2406. Colder than you had had it yet on the voyage? - I would not say that - but it was the coldest we had had that voyage, yes. 2407. It was colder that night than ever you had had it that voyage in the “Titanic”? - Yes, on that trip. 2408. Did you notice this haze which you said extended on the horizon when you first came on the look-out, or did it come later? - It was not so distinct then - not to be noticed. You did not really notice it then - not on going on watch, but we had all our work cut out to pierce through it just after we started. My mate happened to pass the remark to me. He said, “Well; if we can see through that we will be lucky.” That was when we began to notice there was a haze on the water. There was nothing in sight. 2409. You had been told, of course, to keep a careful look-out for ice, and you were trying to pierce the haze as much as you could? - Yes, to see as much as we could. 2410. At the time you came on watch, up to the moment just before the collision, can you tell us whether there was any difference in the speed at which the vessel was travelling compared with the rest of the voyage. What I mean is, was she going the same speed? - She seemed to be going at the same rate all the way. 2411. Do you know who was in charge on the bridge? - Yes; Mr. Murdoch. 2412. The first officer? - Yes, that was his watch. 2413. There would be other officers on the bridge with him? - Yes.