Page 86 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

Yes, Sir. 1160. Who gave it to you? - Mr. Lightoller, the Second Officer. 1161. What was the order? - To pull for that light - to steer for that light. 1162. What light? - There was a light about two points on the port bow, about five miles away, I should judge. 1163. You are speaking now of the time that the order was given to lower the boat? - I am speaking now of the time when the boat was going to be lowered away. 1164. Then you got the order from Mr. Lightoller, the Second Officer, to steer for a vessel which was two points on the port bow, or, rather, I said for a vessel, you said for a light; it is the same thing? - Yes. 1165. To steer for a light which was on the port bow? - That is right, Sir. The Commissioner: A light two points off. 1166. (The Attorney-General.) Yes, on the port bow, and he also said about five miles distance. That is right, is it not? - Yes, Sir. 1167. When you had first seen that light two points on the port bow? - While we were in the boat, Sir, taking the passengers on board. That was the order then, to steer for that light. 1168. (The Commissioner.) Do listen to the question. When had you first seen that light? - During the time that I was standing in the lifeboat taking the passengers into the lifeboat, my Lord. 1169. (The Attorney-General.) When you looked and saw this light, could you tell what it was at all? - No. We surmised it to be a steamboat. 1170. As I understand, you saw that light for the first time when you were standing in the boat before the order was given to lower away? - Yes, Sir. 1171. Then, when you got down to the water you started rowing away, I suppose, did you? - Yes, Sir. 1172. Who rowed? - When we got half way down the boat she was hanging at an angle, and I stopped them from above from lowering by shouting to the Second Officer to steady forward and lower away a bit astern, and I told him I had only one seaman in the boat. 1173. And then - tell us what happened. - This major here was in the boat. When I looked around I saw the major. 1174. Was that while the boat was being lowered? - When the boat was down in the water, just before we let go of the falls. 1175. How came you to see him? - He was standing up there, standing up in the bows of her. 1176. The bows of the boat? - Yes. 1177. Was there any difficulty in freeing her from the falls? - No, Sir. 1178. Then, when you got free of the falls you started rowing? - Yes, Sir. 1179. What I was asking you was who rowed - how many of you rowed? - The sailor and the major and two or three of the ladies put out oars. 1180. What did you do? - Steered for the light, Sir. 1181. How far did you go? - About a mile, I suppose. 1182. A mile from the ship in the direction of the light, two points on the port bow. Is that right? - Yes, Sir. 1183. Could you tell at all whether the light was moving or whether it was still? - The light was moving, gradually disappearing. We did not seem to get no nearer to it. 1184. As I understand you, it seemed to get further away from you? - Yes, Sir. 1185. Could you tell us how many boats had got away before you? - I think there were two on the port side, but how many on the starboard side I could not tell you. 1186. On the port side you think there were two before you? - Yes, Sir. 1187. Did any of the other boats travel in the same direction that you took? - Yes, Sir, four or