Page 128 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

flashed through my mind that possibly it was a piece of wreckage, or something - a piece of ice had been struck by a propeller blade, which might have given a similar feeling to the ship. 13737. (The Solicitor-General.) As to this grinding noise which you speak of which followed the slight shock, can you give us any help at all how long the grinding sound or sensation continued? - Well, I should say a matter of a couple of seconds, perhaps - a few seconds, very few. 13738. I understand it was not violent at all? - Oh, no, not at all. 13739. (The Commissioner.) You were lying down at the time? - Yes, my Lord. I had just switched the light out. I was going to sleep. I had switched the light out and turned over to go to sleep. 13740. (The Solicitor-General.) But you were awake? - I was awake. 13741. When this occurred your mind naturally searched for a probable cause? - Yes. 13742. Did you think of ice? - I did. 13743. Just tell us what you did, in order? - I lay there for a few moments, it might have been a few minutes, and then feeling the engines had stopped I got up. 13744. From where you were lying could you hear the ring of the telegraph? - No. 13745. So that you did not know of the order given to stop the engines? - No. 13746. But you felt that they had stopped? - I did. 13747. And you got up? - Yes. 13748. Did you go to the bridge? - Not exactly the bridge; I went out on deck. The bridge, you know, is on the same level. 13749. On to the boat deck? - On to the boat deck on the port side. 13750. Is your room on the port side? - My room is on the port side. 13751. What did you find was the condition of things? - Everything seemed normal. 13752. Was the ship going full speed ahead? - Oh, no, but I mean the conditions on the bridge. 13753. It was my fault. What did you find was the position of the ship? - I, first of all, looked forward to the bridge and everything seemed quiet there. I could see the First Officer standing on the footbridge keeping the look out. I then walked across to the side, and I saw the ship had slowed down, that is to say, was proceeding slowly through the water. 13754. This is all on the port side? - All on the port side. 13755. Did you see any iceberg? - No. 13756. Of course, if the iceberg passed the starboard side of the vessel, you were on the opposite side? - Yes. 13757. When you came out on deck was the ship already stopped or slowing down through the water? - She was proceeding slowly, a matter of perhaps six knots or something like that. 13758. Were the engines still stopped? - I could not exactly say what the engines were doing after once I got up. It was when I was lying still in my bunk I could feel the engines were stopped. 13759. Can you help us as to whether the engines were put full speed astern? - No, I cannot say I remember feeling the engines going full speed astern. 13760. When you looked over the side you thought she was going through the water about six knots? - Yes, four to six knots. I did not stay there long. 13761. Just tell us what you did. - After looking over the side and seeing the bridge I went back to the quarters and crossed over to the starboard side. I looked out of the starboard door and I could see the Commander standing on the bridge in just the same manner as I had seen Mr. Murdoch, just the outline; I could not see which was which in the dark. I did not go out on the deck again on the starboard side. It was pretty cold and I went back to my bunk and turned in. 13762. At that time you thought nothing was the matter? - I did not think it was anything serious.