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

16197. Just read it out? - “‘Californian’ Office. Sent 5.35 p.m., 14th April. by C. F. Evans” - that is the operator - “addressed to Captain ‘Antillian,’ 6.30 p.m. apparent ship’s time; lat. 42º 3’ N., long. 49º 9’ W. Three large bergs five miles to southward of us. Regards. - Signed Lord” 16198. My Lord, that corresponds with the answer given at Question 8943, on page 201. Sir Robert Finlay: Not textually. He read it out, “Apparent ship’s time.” The Solicitor-General: My strong recollection is that that is what the witness said. Sir Robert Finlay: I am only reading from the print of the evidence. 16199. (The Attorney-General.) It is “A.T.S.,” which is “Apparent time ship.” The Witness: I should have read it. “A.T.S.” 16200. That is “apparent time ship”? - Yes. The Solicitor-General: Your Lordship will see that is the ordinary abbreviation, A.T.S. Sir Robert Finlay: Be it so. There is a semi-colon put in the print, which obscures the meaning. The Commissioner: The semi-colon ought to come after “ship.” Sir Robert Finlay: Yes, if it comes at all. 16201. (The Solicitor-General.) I daresay your Lordship will remember, when Mr. Evans was in the box, he explained that when he said 6.30 apparent ship’s time, that did not indicate that the message was being sent at that time, but it indicated that icebergs had been seen at that time. That is the “Antillian.” Now let us turn to the “Mesaba”; that is the Atlantic Transport Line? - Yes. Sir Robert Finlay: This, we say, we did not receive. The Commissioner: The “Californian” you did receive? Sir Robert Finlay: Yes. 16202. (The Solicitor-General.) Was she east-bound or west-bound? - Bound to Europe. 16203. (The Commissioner.) With reference to what was said, the Marconi operator overheard the “Californian”; whether they received it upon the bridge, I do not know. 16204. (The Solicitor-General.) Yes. Do not answer until you are sure. You have your records there? - Yes. 16205. She was in advance of the “Titanic”; she was nearer America than the “Titanic”? - Yes. The Commissioner: Are you disputing the receipt by the Captain of the “Titanic” of the “Californian’s” message? Sir Robert Finlay: Of the “Californian’s” message to the “Antillian”? The Commissioner: Yes, and your becoming acquainted with it? Sir Robert Finlay: I think Mr. Bride will say that he did take that to the bridge. The Commissioner: There is nothing as far as I know in writing to show that this message, the “Californian’s” message, was received by Captain Smith. Sir Robert Finlay: No. The Commissioner: There is nothing in writing. Sir Robert Finlay: No, my Lord. The Commissioner: If Mr. Bride says so, it will be his statement. Sir Robert Finlay: I understand my friends are going to call him presently, and I understand he will say that, but I am not able to say at the present moment. 16206. (The Solicitor-General.) You say the “Mesaba” was west-bound and in advance of the “Titanic”? - Yes. 16207. Now have you got your procès-verbal, and will you do the thing in the same way? - Under date of “Sunday, April 14th, 7.50 p.m. New York time, exchanged Trs. s.s. ‘Titanic bound West. Sent ice report, condition of communication good.” 16208. (The Solicitor-General.) I should like your Lordship to see that entry, because that is the critical one. (To the Witness.) Have you marked it? - Yes, there is a red cross opposite it. (Passing up the document.)