Page 75 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

appears to be signed at the bottom you will observe. It is a single column article by Lady Duff- Gordon. The Commissioner: What is the purport of it, Mr. Scanlan? Mr. Scanlan:. There are a good many things in it. The Commissioner: Have they any bearing on this Enquiry? Mr. Scanlan: Yes, considerable. The Commissioner: Because you know the whole of this incident to my mind has only a small bearing on this Enquiry and I do not want too much time spent over it. Mr. Scanlan: I quite see that, my Lord. The Commissioner: Can you tell me what this article is? Mr. Scanlan: There are statements in it as to icebergs having been pointed out before the collision occurred to Lady Duff-Gordon by officers on board the “Titanic.” The Commissioner: I think that is quite relevant. Mr. Duke: I may tell Mr. Scanlan I am going to ask your Lordship’s leave to call Lady Duff- Gordon whether anybody else calls her or not. The Commissioner: I think it is not necessary. Of course, if you want it done, Mr. Duke. Mr. Duke: Most urgently, both Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff-Gordon think it is essential it should be done. The Commissioner: Very well, then it shall be done. The Attorney-General: I had already communicated with my friend Mr. Duke about it and I told him what my view of it was; but of course my friend said he desired Lady Duff-Gordon called and there is an end of it. We shall call her. My friend is quite entitled to ask that. The Commissioner: If she wants to go into the witness-box, she must go. Mr. Duke: The position in which she is put by some of the insinuations is intolerable to a woman who believes that she has done all she should have done under the circumstances. The Commissioner: I have not heard that she did anything that was at all different from what any other lady would do. Mr. Scanlan: I respectfully disclaim any intention of making any insinuation. Mr. Duke: We shall see. Mr. Scanlan: (To the Witness.) Is it your evidence that while the cries of the drowning - The Commissioner: No; do not let us depart from this point which I said might be relevant. (To the Witness.) Is it the fact that Lady Duff-Gordon had icebergs pointed out to her by officers of the ship before the calamity as far as you know? - No; it was not the case, my Lord. 12646. Did she ever write anything to that effect? - So far as I know Lady Duff-Gordon wrote nothing whatever in America. Mr. Scanlan: I do not wish to press this any further. Mr. Duke: I think your Lordship ought to know about this. I have looked at it. This is a column of matter in large type purporting to be signed by Lady Duff-Gordon, and said to be a series of statements by Lady Duff-Gordon. The Commissioner: Tell me Mr. Duke does the lady repudiate having written it. Mr. Duke: Absolutely, my Lord. 12647. (Mr. Scanlan - To the Witness.) Is it your evidence that while the cries of the drowning people were heard after the “Titanic” sank there was no conversation whatever between you and your fellow passengers or between you and the members of the crew? - I said that after the “Titanic” sank there was a dead silence. 12648. When the people were crying out for help were you all mute in the boat? - I think as soon as that occurred the men began to row at once. 12649. (The Commissioner.) And, as I understand, to row away from the cries? - I presume so, my Lord; I did not know which way.