Page 138 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

18507. Did you ask him what had happened? - I asked him what had happened. 18508. What did he say? - He told me he did not know. 18509. Then what did you do? - I went back to my room and I put a coat on, and I went up on to the bridge. 18510. Was Captain Smith there? - He was. 18511. Then did you ask him what had happened? - I did. 18512. And what did he tell you? - He told me we had struck ice. 18513. Did you ask him anything further? - I asked him whether he thought the damage was serious, and he said he thought it was. 18514. What did you do then? - I then went downstairs again; down below. 18515. Did you meet Mr. Bell, the Chief Engineer? - I met the Chief Engineer at the top of the staircase. 18516. Did you have some conversation with him - will you tell us what it was? - I asked him whether he thought the ship was seriously damaged, and he said he thought she was, but, as far as I remember, he thought the pumps would control the water. 18517. This is what you said in America. Is this right? You were asked by Senator Smith: “Did the Chief Engineer of the ‘Titanic’ state to you the extent of the damage? - (A.) He said he thought the damage was serious, but that he hoped the pumps would be able to control the water”? - I do not know whether he said “he hoped” or “he thought”; it is to the best of my recollection. I cannot remember every word he said. 18518. I think in an earlier passage there is a statement made somewhat to that effect, that he thought the pumps would be able to control the water, but I am reading now from your own words given in answer: “He hoped the pumps would be able to control the water.” What did you do then? - I think I went back to my room for a short time, but I am not absolutely certain. 18519. Did you hear any order given by Captain Smith? - I went up after that on to the bridge, and I heard Captain Smith give an order; I am not quite certain whether it was to lower the boats or to get the boats out; it was in connection with the boats. 18520. When you heard that order given on the bridge, what did you do next? - I went along the deck, and I think I spoke to one of the officers. 18521. You do not remember which officer it was? - No. I do not remember which officer it was. 18522. Did you help to get the boats out? - I rendered all the assistance I could. 18523. And to put the women and children in? - To put the women and children in. 18524. That was on the boat deck? - That was on the boat deck. 18525. And did you stay there until you left the ship? - Yes, practically. I do not think I ever left that deck again. 18526. Can you tell us at all how long it was after you felt the impact that you heard the order given by Captain Smith to get the boats out, or to lower the boats? - No, I really could not tell; it is very difficult indeed; it might have been 20 minutes, but it is very difficult to judge time. 18527. Did you see some of the boats lowered? - I did. 18528. On which side of the deck were you? - On the starboard side. 18529. When you were assisting with the boats? - Yes. 18530. Was there any confusion? - I saw no confusion at all. 18531. Did you see any attempts by men to force their way into the boats? - I did not. 18532. Or to get into the boats? - I did not. 18533. Were there a number of women and children on the deck? - There were. 18534. Did all those who were on the deck get away in boats? - All the women that I saw on deck got away in boats. 18535. Did you realise that they were not all the women and children who were on board the