Page 202 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

you got to No. 5? It is difficult, I know, to be certain about time. Was it half an hour or 45 minutes? Let me help you. You gave me one space of time - about 20 minutes? - Yes, I remember that. 14992. Will that help you to approximate what you think was the time between the striking of the iceberg and your getting to boat No. 5? Was it an hour, do you think? - No, I should think it would be about 12.20. 14993. You say the cover was still on. Was the cover being stripped at the time you got there? - It was being uncovered then - Yes. 14994. Did you see Mr. Ismay close to this boat? - I did. 14995. Was he taking any part, saying anything, or doing anything? - He remarked to me as we were uncovering the boat, “There is no time to lose.” Of course, I did not know who he was then, and therefore did not take any notice. 14996. You have since learned that that gentleman was Mr. Ismay, have you? - Yes. 14997. How many men had you helping at this boat? - I think four. 14998. Were they sailor men, or could you tell in the darkness of the night? - Well, I knew that two were. 14999. And was the boat uncovered and swung out? - Yes. 15000. What was done with it? Was it then lowered to the level of the boat deck? - It was lowered level. 15001. And after you had got out to the level of the boat deck, what did you do with regard to passengers? - Mr. Ismay remarked to me to get it filled with women and children, to which I replied, “I will await the Commander’s orders.” I then went to the bridge, and I saw Captain Smith, and I told him what Mr. Ismay had said. He said, “Carry on.” 15002. (The Commissioner.) What does that mean? - Go ahead. 15003. (Mr. Butler Aspinall.) At this time, did you realise that this gentleman was Mr. Ismay, or did you still think he was one of the passengers? - Oh, I knew then that it was Mr. Ismay - Yes, judging by the descriptions I had had given me of him. 15004. The Captain told you to “carry on.” Did you then return to the boat deck? - I was already there; I returned to No. 5. 15005. Yes, you were on it. You returned to your boat No. 5? - Yes. 15006. When you got back, were any people being put into it? - None at all. 15007. What happened then? - I simply stood in the boat and said, “Come along, ladies,” and helped them in - Mr. Ismay helped to get them there. 15008. How many ladies did you get in? - I do not know; between 30 and 40, I should imagine. 15009. Were there any children? - Yes, we had two. 15010. Could you tell whether these women were first, second or third class passengers that were getting into the boat? - Most, I should say, would be first class. 15011. In addition to those women that you got into the boat, did you take any male passengers in? - Yes, I should say about half-a-dozen or more. 15012. Why did you let the male passengers in? - Simply because there were no more women around - at least, there were two there, but they would not come. 15013. Did they give you any reason for refusing to come? - No. 15014. You say there were no other women around? Could you see whether there were other women in other parts of the boat deck? Did you notice at that time? - There were none in sight at that time - at least, not on the starboard deck. 15015. In view of the number that you had got into the boat at this time, did you think that that was as many as this boat would safely carry before she was lowered to the water? - No, I did not decide how many she should take. 15016. Who decided that? - Mr. Murdoch, he came along just then.