Page 188 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

about. 14710. (Mr. Lewis.) I want to know the general methods adopted by the company as far as this witness knows. (To the Witness.) With regard to particular lifeboats, I understood you to say in your evidence that it took about an hour and a half to two hours to prepare and lower the boats upon which you were engaged, is that so? The Commissioner: Yes, he has said it, and I know it, you know. 14711. (Mr. Lewis.) Do you consider that under the circumstances of the case, when the ship was sinking rapidly, that that was a reasonable time to take? - Yes. 14712. What is the object of a boat list and boat drill? - It is rather obvious; it is to teach the men to know their stations. 14713. In the event of danger is not the object to be prepared to lower the boats simultaneously? - Not necessarily. 14714. If, for instance, the accident was even worse, if it is possible to conceive, and you had knowledge that the ship was to sink in an hour, obviously it would be desirable to get the boats down speedily, would it not? - Yes. 14715. Is not the object of having boat stations in order that you may station men at the different boats to lower them at once if necessary? - No. 14716. What is the object of having firemen and stewards on the boat list? - To know their stations. 14717. Is it not a fact that you ran a risk by proceeding from boat to boat to lower those boats of having several boats left? - They were not left. 14718. Is it not the fact that you did have boats left, collapsible boats or rafts that you could not get off in time? - No. The Commissioner: Now what is the real object of your questions. They are not helping me at all. Is your real object that you think more men belonging to your Union ought to be employed? These questions do not assist me one bit. Mr. Lewis: My point is this - and I think it is proved by the fact that there was a difficulty in getting the collapsible boat off - that more men that were on the ship should have been used to get off the boats. The Commissioner: With the exception of one boat all the boats were got down to the sea. Mr. Lewis: Surely one boat is important upon an occasion of this kind. The Commissioner: Yes, but there are particular circumstances applying to that boat. It was not the want of men. 14719. (Mr. Lewis.) But the boat could not be got off because the water was up and could not be got ready in time. (To the Witness.) You considered that everything was done that was reasonable with regard to the launching of the boats? - Yes. 14720. Now with regard to the look-out men. Did I understand that if the look-out men had had glasses and had been using them at the time, they would have seen the iceberg much quicker? - I could not say what you understood. 14721. Supposing when the iceberg region was approached they had been using their glasses would they in your opinion have seen the iceberg much quicker? - If they had had a glass glued to their eyes? 14722. If they had been looking at the time they saw the iceberg and rang the bridge? - Yes. 14723. If, prior to that, they had had a glass, could they have seen it some time before? - I really could not say. 14724. It is extremely probable, I suppose? - Not necessarily. 14725. I think you admitted you could see a greater distance with glasses? - Under certain conditions, yes. 14726. And on this night it was clear, was it not? - Yes.