Page 253 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

16065. I am going to read that to you. “Office received from M.G.Y.” You told me that means th received from the “Titanic.” “Time received 7.45 p.m.,” on April, 12 . “No. 1 ‘La Touraine’ Office, 12 April, 1912. Prefix M.S.G. Words 26. from ‘Titanic.’ To Capt. ‘La Touraine,’ Thanks for your message and information my position. 7 p.m. G. M. T. Lat. 49.45; long. 23.38. W. Greenwich; had fine weather; compliments. - Smith”? - Quite right. 16066. Before we pass from those two there is a reference here to the time, 7.10 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. When the time of the clock is entered on a Marconi message what time does it refer to? - When the ships are west of 40º New York time is kept; when they are east of 40º Greenwich time is kept. 16067. If you take the first of those, the message from the “Touraine,” he was not west of 40º, because he was in longitude 26; he was on the European side? - Yes. th 16068. When he says “7.10 p.m.,” I understand if he is to the east of the 40 meridian that means Greenwich time, does it? - It ought to. 16069. It says so? - I have not checked those differences in time. 16070. It is quite right. He says so. “My position 7 p.m. Greenwich meantime,” and in the same way the answer is from the “Titanic” when she is a good deal more easterly, so that that is also Greenwich meantime? - Yes. 16071. Now take the next one, the ‘Amerika.” Can you find me a message sent out by the “Amerika” on the morning of the 14th April? It begins: “West-bound steamers report bergs, growlers, and field ice”? - (After looking.) No, I have not got that. 16072. I will come back to that, although we have really had this one proved by Captain Barr. But it is convenient to have it on record? - Have you got the time there? 16073. Yes, nine o’clock in the morning of the 14th April. I am taking them in the order of time? - We have not got it here. The Solicitor-General: The gentleman who is giving his evidence so clearly did not know he was going to be asked this particular question, so that it is not his fault, my Lord. That one has been proved independently, and we can pass from it for the moment, I think. Let me see if I can help you about the next one. The next one in the order of time is the “Amerika.” The Commissioner: That is the German steamer. 16074. (The Solicitor-General.) Yes. (To the Witness.) Have you the one from the “Amerika”? - Yes, but the “Amerika” did not send this direct to the “Titanic.” 16075. I am going to get you to tell me about that. First of all, you have got the message from the “Amerika.” To whom is the message addressed? - It is addressed to the Hydrographic Office, Washington, and it is sent through the “Titanic.” The Commissioner: It is sent from the “Titanic,” did you say? 16076. (The Solicitor-General.) No, my Lord, through the “Titanic.” We will show why he says so. (To the Witness.) What is the date of it? - 14th April. 16077. And you say it is sent from the “Amerika”? - It is sent from the “Amerika.” 16078. I will just read it, and then I am going to ask you why you say it is sent through the “Titanic”: “No. 110, ‘Amerika’ Office, 14th April, 1912. - Prefix M.S.G.” That is master navigation message. “Service instructions: Via Cape Race. Office sent to M.G.V.”* What does that mean? - Those are the call letters for one of our ship stations. 16079. “Time sent, 11.45 a.m.” Is that right? - Yes, 11.45 a.m. 16080. “To Hydrographic Office, Washington D. C. ‘Amerika’ passed two large icebergs in 41.27 N., 50.8 W. on the 14th of April. - Knuth.” Just explain, will you, why you say that went through the “Titanic”? - The “Amerika” was on her homeward route on that date, and was just about 40º West. The “Titanic” was a little further towards America. 16081. Further west? - Further west, and much nearer the coast stations, the “Amerika” being out of the range of the coast stations and the “Titanic” being within range of the coast stations