Page 170 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

not down. 3213. We have been told all barriers were down. Were any barriers down? - I never saw any. 3214. If they were not how did the third-class passengers get to the boat deck? - Up the ladder leading from the after-well deck. 3215. And how then? - Up through the second-class companion way. 3216. Would there be no barriers there, keeping them from getting through the second-class? - The doors were locked at the time; the second cabin doors, where they had entrance to go on to the boat deck, were locked. 3217. Those had been unlocked, had they? - I could not say. 3218. How do you account for the third-class passengers being there? - That is the only way up, my Lord, from the afterpart of the ship. 3219. They had been able to find their way there somehow? [No Answer.] 3220. (Mr. Lewis.) How many third-class passengers did you observe, grouped together? I think you said you saw passengers grouped? - On the fore-well deck - about a hundred. 3221. Under ordinary circumstances would it be difficult for third-class passengers to get from one portion of the vessel to the other? - Yes. 3222. I suppose more difficult when there is a crowd? - Sure. 3223. When you took the men off the up-turned boat. I think you took a number of men into your lifeboat? - Quite right. 3224. About how many had you in the boat then? - About 90. 3225. Was it dangerous? - The starboard gunwale was getting under water every time anybody moved. 3226. If there had been a slight breeze it would have been dangerous? - There would have been no chance whatever. 3227. I understand you have served in other companies besides the White Star? - Yes. 3228. The Union Castle? - No. 3229. The Royal Mail? - Yes. 3230. Do I understand that in that company they have a larger number of hands in proportion to their tonnage than the White Star? - Yes. 3231. (The Commissioner.) Have you studied the subject? - Yes. 3232. Then you can tell me the tonnage of one of the Royal Mail boats and the number of lifeboats on her? - There is one Royal Mail boat that I was in about 3,000 odd tons. 3233. Can you tell me the tonnage of a Royal Mail boat and the number of boats on board that vessel, and the name of the vessel? - I can tell the name of the vessel but I could not tell you the tonnage. 3234. Then how do you know that the proportion is greater? - Because the “Titanic” was four times her size. 3235. I want you to answer not too readily but after thinking. I want to have accurate evidence if I can get it. You told me there is a larger proportion of lifeboats according to the tonnage, on the Royal Mail boats than there was upon the “Titanic”? - Yes. 3236. Now can you give me the tonnage of a Royal Mail boat and the number of boats upon that Royal Mail boat, and her name? - I do not know exactly the tonnage, but it is 3,000 odd. 3237. What is the name of the boat? - The “Arragon.” 3238. Over 3,000 tons? - I have the tonnage in my pocket. 3239. The “Arragon” over 3,000 tons? The Attorney-General: He says he has it in his pocket. 3240. (The Commissioner.) Very well, let me see it. (To the Witness.) What is the proportion of lifeboat accommodation? - Sixteen. 3241. And how many is each boat intended to carry? - Fifty to sixty.