Page 194 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

Officer of the Watch your Lordship will see on page 32. That is the rule you were referring to? - Yes. 14842. “Station. - At sea the station of the Officer of the Watch is on the bridge, which he must on no account leave either night or day without being relieved. When the Watch is changed the officer who is being relieved will remain on the bridge and in charge during the change. He will see that the seamen placed as look-outs do not quit their posts until relieved, and he must deliver to the officer relieving him all orders which have still to be executed. He is the responsible officer until he leaves the bridge, and must not leave the bridge until the officer relieving him has had time to familiarise himself with his surroundings. Duties: (A.) He must remember that his first duty is to keep a good look-out and avoid running into danger, and although it is desirable to obtain the position of the ship as often as possible, he must on no account neglect his look-out to do so. He must also preserve order in the ship. (b) He must not alter the course without consulting the Commander, unless to avoid some sudden danger, risk of collision, etc. (c) When he believes the ship to be running into danger it is his duty to act at once upon his own responsibility, at the same time he will immediately pass the word to call the Commander.” That is what you referred to? - Yes. 14843. “When it is his duty to alter the course for some approaching or crossing vessel, he must do so in plenty of time, signify by sound signals such alteration, and give such vessel a wide berth. (e) He must call the Commander at once if it becomes foggy, hazy, if he does not think he can see a safe distance, or if in doubt about anything. (f) He is expected to make himself thoroughly conversant with the usual channel courses, and to be thoroughly posted in the run of the ship. Any doubt he may have as to safety of the position of the ship, or of the course steered, he will immediate express to the Commander in a respectful manner.” That is the rule you had in your mind? - Yes. 14844. One matter I want to clear up which occurs in the evidence of some other witness. Had you any difficulty about finding the plug of one of these collapsible boats? - Yes. 14845. Just tell us about that? - When we were at work at the port collapsible boat, the first collapsible, it was suggested that there was a plug in the boat, and not being very familiar with these boats and having a box of matches, I searched round and came to the conclusion there was no plug. 14846. As a matter of fact they do not have plugs? - They do not. 14847. So your search was in vain? - Yes. 14848. Do you remember the “Carpathia” picking you up? - Yes. 14849. Did she throw up any rockets? - She did. 14850. How many? - I think I saw two. 14851. How many hours would that be about before you were picked up? - That was whilst it was still dark. It seemed fully an hour before we were picked up. 14852. What I wanted to get at was what sort of interval would there be between the last rocket from the “Titanic” and the two that you saw from the “Carpathia”? - I suppose about five hours. 14853. I think you said two? - Two I think I remember seeing. There may have been more. 14854. Do you know what sort? - The ordinary distress signals, the same as we were using. 14855. With stars? - Yes. 14856. (The Commissioner.) Were you near enough to hear them? - Oh, no. 14857. (Mr. Laing.) Can you help us at all about any dead bodies that were left in one of the boats? - I understand that there were three dead bodies left in one of the collapsible boats when the remainder were taken out. 14858. You say you understand? - It was not in my boat. 14859. Did you see them? - No. 14860. Did you have some report? - I have heard so since.