Page 24 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

if I was called back. 11489. That we have not had from you yet. That is what I wanted. That is quite right. Your Lordship will see the importance of it all. You have it in mind. Question 5011 is what Hendrickson said about this He was cross-examined about it. That substantially agrees, I think, with what Hendrickson says. I will read you what he says: “We were told to stand off a little way and come back when called.” That is right? - That is what Mr. Murdoch gave me. 11490. Now, at the time you left that No. 1 boat, was the forecastle head of the “Titanic” under water? - After we got away the forecastle head, the first lot of ports - that would be C deck under the forecastle head, I think. What deck would you call that? That lot of ports there (pointing on the model.) was just awash under her name. 11491. That is at the top, just under the forecastle head? - No; these here (pointing on the model.) 11492. It is the second row, really? - Yes, the second row. 11493. The first row under the well deck? - Yes, that is right. 11494. That was after you had got away in your boat? - After we got into the water. 11495. (The Commissioner.) And how far aft were those lights below the water? - They were just coming awash then. 11496. How far aft? Just turn to the model; take note of the ship and tell me how far aft those lights were under water? - Certainly the foremost ones were more submerged, if anything, than the after ones. The Commissioner: Of course they were. 11497. (The Attorney-General.) Perhaps I may put it in a different form. Had it reached the mast? - No. 11498. Not as far aft as that? - No; not quite so far as the mast. 11499. Then you pulled away? - Yes. 11500. And did you see the “Titanic” go down? - Yes, I watched her. 11501. Now just tell us about that? - After I left the ship I gave the order to pull away. We were pulling very hard; we were pulling very steady; a moderate pull. After I gave that order we pulled away I should say about 200 yards, and I told them to lay on their oars, and just a little while after that, after I saw that the ship was doomed, I gave the order to pull a little further and so escape the suction. 11502. Now, just one moment. Just tell us why you say “after I saw the ship was doomed” you pulled away 200 yards? What was it that you saw that made you think that? - Because her forecastle head was well under water then. Her lights had all disappeared then. You could see her starboard sidelight, which was still burning, was not so very far from the water, and her stern was well up in the air. 11503. When you say all her lights went out, do you mean right away astern too? - No, just her foremost lights had disappeared, and her starboard sidelight left burning was the only light, barring the masthead light, on that side of the bridge that I could see. 11504. Then you saw her with her stern out? - Yes. 11505. Will you give us an idea what angle was her stern as far as you could see? How did it look to you; was it all up? - More like that with a cant. (Describing.) I do not know what position you would call it altogether. 11506. Was it out of water? - Yes. 11507. Did you see her keel? - No, you could not see her keel. 11508. (The Commissioner.) Could you see the propellers? - You could just see the propellers. 11509. (The Attorney-General.) You could see the propellers? - Yes. 11510. Then when you saw her like that, what was the next thing that happened? - Being the master of the situation, I used my own discretion. I said nothing to anybody about the ship being