Page 65 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

then. He put the ladies in and helped me in myself and we were joined by two Americans who came running along the deck. I think he then told two other or three other of the firemen that they might just as well get in, and then he put one man - I did not know his name until lately - in charge of the boat, Symons. 12502. Then did you hear an order given by the officer to the men in charge of the boat? - I heard him put the man in charge of the boat. 12503. Did you hear the order that he gave him? - Well; I do not quite think it was that order, no. 12504. What is the order that you heard him give? - My impression was that we were to follow the other boats and to row as fast as we could for the first 200 yards. That was the idea I have always had. 12505. I understand you to say you did not hear this order that that boat was to stand off a little way and come back when called? - It is quite likely I should not have heard it. I had other things to attend to; I mean, I was looking after my wife and one thing and another. It was quite natural. 12506. Where were you sitting in the boat? - I was sitting in No. 2 from the bows. 12507. No. 2 thwart? - Yes. 12508. And where was your wife sitting? - No. 3 on the starboard side. 12509. And Miss Francatelli? - In the stern. 12510. When the boat was lowered, did you think that the “Titanic” was in danger? - I thought it was in a very grave condition, yes. 12511. I do not know whether you can tell us, had she any list at this time? - I did not think it was a very great list, but we got down easily. The boat did not touch the side of the ship at all. 12512. You say you did not think there was any great list; but which side was the list? - In any case it would have been to our side if it was at all. 12513. To the starboard side? - Yes. 12514. But you are not sure there was any? - I was not very much noticing. 12515. The men got into the boat, and you noticed, I suppose, that there was room for more passengers in that boat? - There would have been more room if the oars and masts had been thrown away. 12516. I do not quite understand what you mean by that. You suggest there was not room for more people? - Of course there was room for more people, but we should have had to put away the oars and mast and sail, I think, and some boat hooks, and a lot of things that were lying alongside of us. There was only room for two on each side. 12517. Are you accustomed to boats? - Sufficiently. 12518. No one has suggested hitherto that there was not room? - I do not suggest it. I suggest it wanted rearrangement, otherwise we should have sat in the stern together. 12519. Can you give us any explanation why it was that this boat was lowered away with so few people in it when there were so many people left on the ship, which was in danger? - There were no people visible, I am quite sure of that, when I got into the boat. 12520. (The Commissioner.) But there were many people close at hand? - I do not know; there was no one visible certainly. 12521. (The Attorney - General.) There were many of the crew, were not there, on the ship close at hand at the time? - No, I think they filled up the boat with what crew there was there. 12522. Do you mean that after you and the crew had gone into the boat, there was nobody left but the officer? - The officer then told two more men, I think, to get in. I think he said, “You fellows,” or “You boys may as well go,” and those two got in, and whatever crew he kept with him lowered us. 12523. You had noticed that other boats had been filled with as many as they could possibly carry? - I presume so; I had not noticed very much; but there were no more to go. I am trying to