Page 94 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 1 - 5

1348. “Some men in the boat said they were the cries of people in the other boats signalling. I suppose they said that so as not to alarm the women.” You said that? - Yes. 1349. Did you go in the direction of these cries of distress? - We had no compass in the boat and I did not know what direction to take. If I had a compass to know what course I could take from the ship, I should know what course to take, but I did not know what course to go upon. The Commissioner: I do not understand you. “I did not know where these cries came from.” 1350. (The Attorney-General.) You heard cries of distress, you have told us? - Yes. 1351. Where did they come from? - I suppose from the “Titanic” when the “Titanic” had sunk. 1352. Could not you tell in what direction they were coming? - No, not hardly, Sir. 1353. Not hardly? - No, I could not tell what direction they were coming. 1354. (The Commissioner.) Was this after the “Titanic” had gone down? - After the lights had gone. I did not know whether the “Titanic” was gone down, but the lights had gone away from the ship. 1355. (The Attorney-General.) As I understand, what you told us before was that you saw the “Titanic,” that she had her lights burning, you stopped about a mile’s distance, and when you got to about a mile’s distance you did not see the lights any more? - That is right, Sir. 1356. That is what you tell us? - Yes. 1357. What I want you to tell us is this: how long after that was it, or when was it, that you heard the cries of distress? - I had no time in the boat. I could not tell you hardly what time. 1358. Had you stopped before you heard the cries of distress? - Yes. We were made fast then to the other boat. Me and Bailey was made fast together. 1359. Mr. Bailey’s boat? - Yes. 1360. If I understand you correctly, you did not make any attempt to reach the cries of distress, did you? - It was a matter of impossibility; I could not do it. 1361. I want to understand why it was a matter of impossibility? - I only had one sailor in the boat, and I did not know where we were. I had no compass. I judge I was about a mile away the last time I saw the lights. 1362. (The Commissioner.) You had your ears. Could not you hear where these cries came from? - Your Lordship, in the meantime, the boats were yelling one to another as well as showing their lights to try and let each other know whereabouts they were. 1363. I do not understand how a compass would help you to get to the cries? - That is the only thing that would help me, your Lordship. The Commissioner: I should have thought your ears would help you better? Examined by MR. COTTER. 1364. On the day of muster in Southampton, what officer called the names out? - Mr. Murdoch, I think, Sir. 1365. After you had answered your name did he give you any instructions with regard to the boat, fire, or bulkhead door drill? - Not that I am aware of. 1366. He never gave you any? In other ships you have been in you said you have seen the general boat muster? - Yes. 1367. There was none on the “Titanic”? - No. 1368. Now I will take you to the time that she struck and you came out of the wheelhouse. You stated that she took a list to starboard? - Yes. 1369. When you got on deck had she come to a level keel, or had she still a list to starboard? - She still had a list to starboard when I was out on the deck. 1370. Had you any trouble in getting the people into the boat - the women? - Well, not a great deal of trouble, Sir; some seemed to come and some was half-inclined - they seemed rather to