Page 204 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

12.30 when No. 5 boat reached the water. 15037. I do not know whether this will help you to see whether that is right. Was your boat in the water about an hour before the “Titanic” went down? - I think it was longer than that. 15038. Much longer or a little longer? - It is hard to say. 15039. Now, I have got you in the boat somewhere about 100 yards from the ship, you watching the ship. Whilst you were watching the ship did you then begin to think she was in a condition in which it was probable she might be lost? - No, I did not give up hopes until I saw the last line of lights on the forecastle head disappear. 15040. When you reached the water and were in the boat, did you see then that her head was getting deeper and deeper in the water? - Oh, yes, I watched the different lines of lights disappear. 15041. Did you see any other boat on the water anywhere near you after your boat had reached the water? - Are you alluding to one of our boats? 15042. Yes, I mean one of the “Titanic” boats? - Yes, No. 7 was quite close to me. 15043. Was No. 7, as far as you know, in the water before yours or after? - No. 7 was before; it was the first boat launched on the starboard side. 15044. No. 7? - No. 7. 15045. And the second boat was? - No 5, and No. 3 next. 15046. How do you know No. 3 came next? Did you see it? - I saw it coming down; I saw it being lowered. 15047. Did you notice any other boats on that side being lowered? - I did not. 15048. You speak of 7, 5, and 3? - 7, 5, and 3, yes. 15049. In that order? The Solicitor-General points out that Jewell refers to this that No. 7 was the first boat on the starboard side. The Solicitor-General: At page 19, Question 147, Jewell says he was in the boat, and it was the first to go on the starboard side. The Witness: That is right. 15050. (Mr. Butler Aspinall.) Tell me with regard to the equipment of the boat you were in, do you know whether it had a lamp or not? - Mine had not. 15051. Did you look for it? - I did. 15052. And would you, as an officer, know what was the right place to look for the lamp? - Exactly. 15053. Was there any compass in your boat? - No. 15054. Did you look for it? - Well, I did not at the time, because it would be absolutely useless to me. 15055. But how do you know there was no compass? You say you did not look at the time. Did you look at some later time? - Yes, after the boats were on the “Carpathia.” 15056. Was there any water in your boat? - Yes. 15057. In what? Breakers? - In two breakers. 15058. Two breakers? - Yes. 15059. Were there any biscuits? - Yes. 15060. In what? - A tank in the stern of the boat. 15061. Whilst you were in the boat and before the ship sank, did you see any light or lights which you took to be the light or lights of another steamer? - I saw a white light which I took to be the stern light of a sailing ship. 15062. How far away did you judge it to be? - I thought it was about five miles. 15063. That would be a good distance to see a stern light, would it not? - Yes, it may have been less. 15064. Was it a good night for seeing a light; for seeing a good stern light? - An excellent