Page 135 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

and that she was not down by the head. Now, I want to know at what time you observed that? The Solicitor-General: What I understand him to say was that the boats were swung out before he had noticed it. I did not understand him to say that they were lowered. The Commissioner: I understand him to say that it was quite a long time. The Solicitor-General: Quite. The Commissioner: I do not care whether they were lowered. At what time was it you noticed this ship had no list, and that it was not down by the head? - When I came on deck and commenced uncovering the boats. The Commissioner: I understood you were speaking of a much later period. 13848. (The Solicitor-General - To the Witness.) I was asking about a later period? - I am sorry. 13849. When you came out on deck, having been aroused, the ship was on an even keel? - Yes. 13850. You had heard that the water was out up to F deck? - Yes. 13851. But you did not notice any list? - No. 13852. How long did that state of things continue? When was it you did first notice either a list or that she was down by the head? - Very shortly, afterwards I noticed she was down by the head, when I was by No. 6 boat. When I left No. 4 and went to No. 6 she was distinctly down by the head, and I think it was while working at that boat it was noticed that she had a pretty heavy list to port. 13853. (The Commissioner.) This must have been within a quarter of an hour from your coming on the boat deck? - No, my Lord, it would take us a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes to get No. 4 uncovered and the falls out. 13854. But when you did get No. 4 out you noticed this list, I understand? - No, my Lord, I think I said at No. 6. 13855. Then how long would it take you to get No. 4 and No. 6 uncovered? - Well, it would take us from 15 minutes to 20 minutes to uncover No. 4; then to coil the falls down, then to swing out and lower it down to A deck would take another six or seven minutes at least. Then I gave an order to go down to the lower deck which I countermanded; perhaps two or three minutes might have elapsed there. Then I went to No. 6 about that time. 13856. How long were you working at No. 6? - I really could not say, my Lord. I went to No. 6 then, as far as I remember. 13857. At what point of these events did you notice that the ship had begun to be down by the head or to have a list? - It was when I was at No. 6 boat, my Lord. 13858. As I understand, that would be about half an hour after you had come on deck? - I think it is longer than that. 13859. Well, let us say three quarters of an hour? - Yes, perhaps three quarters of an hour. 13860. You had been half an hour in your bunk before you came on deck at all? - I said approximately half an hour. 13861. So this would be an hour or an hour and a quarter after the collision. And was it then for the first time you noticed the vessel had a list? - At whatever time that was, my Lord. However, it works out it was about when I was at boat No. 6. 13862. (The Solicitor-General.) What you had been doing in the interval was, you had been getting No. 4 unstripped; you had been getting her swung out, her falls cleared and let down as far as the A deck, and there you had ascertained that it was not possible to open the windows and get the people through? - Not immediately, and therefore rather than delay I did not go on with it. 13863. That is what happened? - Yes. 13864. Then turning your attention to No. 6 you then noticed the ship had got a list? - Yes, I think it was No. 6.