Page 90 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

different kinds of vessels. 1270. Have you been on any liners? - Yes, Sir. 1271. For what companies? - The Union-Castle and the British India. 1272. When you were on those vessels were glasses used by the look-out? - I do not know, Sir. I was never on the look-out on those ships. I was quartermaster always. 1273. You cannot tell me. You do not know whether there were or not? - No, Sir. 1274. And you do not know whether there were on the White Star Line or not? - No. The Commissioner: I want to know if this man can tell me whether the rockets which were sent up would be visible to this supposed ship which was five miles away. 1275. (The Attorney-General.) You told us, you know, that rockets were sent up to a ship that was, according to your view, two points on the port bow about five miles away? - Yes. 1276. Would the rockets that were sent up from the “Titanic” be seen by a vessel five miles away? - Quite easily, Sir. 1277. Did you see any answer - any answering signal? What I want to know is this: Did you see any rockets from any other vessel? - No, Sir. Examined by MR. SCANLAN. 1278. I think you have told his Lordship that the night was calm? - Yes. 1279. Was the whole of the Sunday a calm day? - As far as I can remember there was a little breeze in the afternoon. 1280. A moderately calm day, it was? - Yes. 1281. Considering that the night was calm, would it have been possible if the “Titanic” had been provided with sufficient lifeboats to have taken safely away from her after the collision every passenger and every member of the crew? - Well, I think so, Sir. 1282. You have told us that you had only one sailor, in addition to yourself, in this lifeboat? - That is all, Sir. 1283. How many sailors do you consider would be necessary in order properly to man and navigate this lifeboat? - At least four besides the man that is steering the boat - five. 1284. Would that number have been sufficient even though the sea had been stormy? - No, Sir. In stormy weather you require more men. It is all according to the weather. 1285. (The Commissioner.) Will you tell me this: Would the lifeboats, in your opinion, have been of any use at all if there had been a rough sea? - I am sure they would not, my Lord. 1286. They would not? - No. 1287. (Mr. Scanlan.) Would the utility of the lifeboats depend to some extent on the proximity to you of any rescuing ship? - I beg pardon; I did not quite follow you; Sir. The Commissioner: That is not a question which it is necessary to ask. Mr. Scanlan: Even in a rough sea is it not possible with good seamanship to keep a lifeboat afloat? The Commissioner: Will you ask him first whether it is possible or easy to get it afloat to begin with. 1288. (Mr. Scanlan.) In a rough sea, when you have some wind, is it possible - is it easy (of course it is more difficult) to launch a lifeboat? - Well, yes, it is very difficult in lowering and launching a lifeboat in strong weather or strong winds - heavy sea. Mr. Scanlan: Is it possible even in a heavy sea for qualified seamen, able-bodied seamen, to