Page 10 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

The Commissioner: You do not dispute this, do you, Sir Robert? Sir Robert Finlay: No, my Lord. The Solicitor-General: I am anxious to be perfectly candid about it of course, because these things are important to my friend. The message which this gentleman I understand has proved, which he is able to trace, is not quite the same message as the one which we have hitherto referred to. It may be that there were two messages but in fact the one he has tracked is not exactly the one which the Attorney-General opened from instructions. The Commissioner: Very well. We had better hear it. The Solicitor-General: It is fair for me to tell my learned friend that. Sir Robert Finlay: I am much obliged. 16171. (The Solicitor-General - To the Witness.) Just tell us what you have from the “Baltic” please? - Do you want the procès-verbal first? The Solicitor-General: Yes, I think it is a good plan to take the procès-verbal first. Sir Robert Finlay: Can you tell me on which page of the notes is the statement of what this message was. 16172. (The Solicitor-General.) Yes. It is opened in general terms by the Attorney-General at the very bottom of page 12 and at the top of page 13. That is the Affidavit on which we opened. You will see that is what the Attorney-General said. (Handing the same to Sir Robert Finlay.) (To the Witness.) What is the procès-verbal you have from the “Baltic”? - “Sunday, April 14th, 11.55 a.m., sent two to M.G.Y.” That means two messages to the “Titanic.” 16173. That is 11.55 a.m.? - Yes, New York time. 16174. Have you a record in the procès-verbal an hour later, 12.55, of a message being received from the “Titanic”? - Yes, I have. “12.55 p.m., one from M.G.Y.” 16175. Now are you able to trace the message that is sent by the “Baltic” to the “Titanic”? - Yes. 16176. I think you have it there? - I have it here. “From s.s. ‘Baltic,’ April 14th, to Captain Smith, ‘Titanic,’ sent 11.52 a.m.” You will notice there are three minutes difference. That is unimportant. “Captain Smith, ‘Titanic.’ Have had moderate variable winds and clear fine weather since leaving. Greek steamer ‘Athenai’ reports passing icebergs and large quantities of field ice today in lat. 41º 51’ N., long. 49º 52 ‘W. Last night we spoke German oil-tank steamer ‘Deutschland,’ Stettin to Philadelphia, not under control, short of coal, lat. 40° 42’ N. long. 55° 11’ W. Wishes to be reported to New York and other steamers. Wish you and ‘Titanic’ all success. - Commander.” 16177. (The Solicitor-General.) Your Lordship will notice there that that is a new ice-message. It gives the position, 41º 51’ N., by 49º 52’ W. I will have it plotted. (To the Witness.) Have you a copy of the reply from the Captain of the “Titanic”? - I have. 16178. Have you the reply there? - Yes: “14th April. ‘Baltic’ Office. Received from ‘Titanic’ 12.55 p.m. To Commander ‘Baltic.’ Thanks for your message and good wishes; had fine weather since leaving. - Smith.” 16179. (The Commissioner.) What is the time of that? - 12.55 p.m. 16180. (The Solicitor-General.) Are those both New York times? - Both New York times. The Solicitor-General: My Lord, I will have it exactly marked. Your Lordship will find, I think, that that is the closest of all. 16181. (Sir Robert Finlay - To the Witness.) Will you let me see that message? - Which? the received or sent? 16182. The sent. - Yes. (Handing the same to the learned Counsel.) The Commissioner: This is not disputed? Sir Robert Finlay: Yes; this is the first we have heard of this message. The Commissioner: Of this particular one, yes; but do you dispute the receipt of it.