Page 98 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 10 -13

the boat’s crew do what you tell them.” 13098. How far did you row away from the ship? - About 200 yards, I should say. 13099. Did you then stop? - Yes, we lay on our oars. 13100. Did you see the ship go down from that point? - Yes, but not very clearly. 13101. Where were you sitting in the boat? - I was next opposite Miss Frank. [Francatelli] 13102. Miss Francatelli? - I could not tell you her name. 13103. Which thwart was that on? - There was Symons, Miss Frank [Francatelli], a gentleman and myself, and the gentleman looking forward and I was looking aft - on the second thwart from aft that was. 13104. After the ship went down, did you hear any cries? - I did. 13105. How long did they continue? - I should say about a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes, something like that. 13106. While those cries went on were you standing still the whole time or did you begin to row again? - No, I believe we were lying on our oars. 13107. All the time the cries went on? - Yes, as far as I can recollect. 13108. Did anybody in the boat say anything about the cries? - Not in my estimation; I cannot bring it to recollection. 13109. Did anybody suggest that you should go back in the direction of the cries? - Not to my knowledge. 13110. Did you hear anything said at all about the cries? - I did not. 13111. Or about going back? - No. 13112. Did you remain stationary for about - I think you said - 20 minutes? - Near about 20 minutes, I should say; it may have been longer or it may have been shorter. 13113. What did you do then? - We cruised about after that, and then we saw this light, and we rowed for the light, and we came in contact with two more boats. They hailed us and asked if we had an officer on board, and we said, “No.” They said, “Are you all right?” and we said, “Yes.” 13114. When you began rowing you said that you rowed for the light? - Yes. 13115. You did not make any attempt to row back in the direction where you thought the “Titanic” had sunk? - I do not think we did. Examined by Mr. SCANLAN. 13116. Did you hear any passengers say that the boat was a small one, and that there was danger in going back? - Nothing. Examined by Mr. HARBINSON. 13117. Do you remember hearing anything said in the emergency boat about presents or about money? - Yes, I did. 13118. That is to say you do not remember any conversation about going back to where the cries were? - No. 13119. But you remember the conversation about the money? - Yes. I do, and I will explain to you how it came about too. Lady Gordon said to Miss Franks, “There is your beautiful nightdress gone,” and I said, “Never mind about your nightdress madam, as long as you have got your life”; and then I heard someone forward at the fore end of me say - I said we had lost our kits and that our pay was stopped from the time she was a wreck - “We will give you a little to start a new kit.” That was all I heard.