Page 151 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

and night with regard to look-out, does it not? - I should think it would be easier to see things in the daylight than at night. 18725. Naturally, and particularly with regard to unlit objects, such as ice, your range of visibility at night must be comparatively small? - I should say that is so. 18726. And it is obvious from Mr. Lightoller’s evidence that if the sea be smooth one of the main elements of safety, the power of seeing waves or surge breaking upon ice, is lacking. Now I want you to tell me whether your Company has considered the advisability of giving instructions now, in the light of events which have happened, in regard to the navigation of your ships when ice is in the vicinity. The Commissioner: What has that to do with it? 18727. (Mr. Roche.) I have made the suggestion. It is obvious it is more for your Lordship than for the witness, but I wish to put the point. Have you considered that, or perhaps you have not had time? - I have not. 18728. It is a matter which, perhaps, you will take into consideration. Now, one other matter. You know, I suppose, from your knowledge of the general conduct of the business of the Company, that there are boat station lists on every ship? - Yes. 18729. And I daresay you know that the general scheme is that in a boat such as the “Titanic,” which has 16 boats, two engineers are allotted to each boat? - I could not tell you how the boats’ crews are picked out. 18730. We have been told so? - I could not tell you. 18731. You know, of course, that in this case of some 30 odd engineers not one was saved? - Yes. 18732. That, of course, renders it obvious that no engineers went in the boats, and that we know. Now, assuming that there is an increase of boat capacity so that all may be saved, passengers and engineers alike, it is clearly proper that the engineers should have a fair chance of getting to their boats, the boats to which they are allocated? - Yes. 18733. Have any general instructions been given at all by your Company that warning shall be given to those in the engine room enabling them to come up and get their places in the boats? - Not that I know of. 18734. That also would be a matter which it would be desirable, in the light of events which have happened, to consider? - Certainly. Examined by Mr. HARBINSON. 18735. Is it a fact that there is a condition in the passenger contracts of the White Star Line that the Company shall not be liable for the careless or unskillful or negligent navigation of their servants or officers? - That I could not answer. 18736. You do not know that? - No. 18737. If there was such a condition, would you consider that a reasonable condition? The Attorney-General: Oh! The Commissioner: There must be some limit to this sort of examination. You will be enquiring into bills of lading next. 18738. (Mr. Harbinson.) My object in putting the question is that, if there is such a condition, and probably it may be proved before the Enquiry is finished that there is, that might have a bearing upon the sense of the responsibility of the Commanders of the vessels. (To the Witness.) You ship, I think, a different crew for each voyage; do you sign on a different crew for each voyage that one of your ships make across the Atlantic? - I suppose it hardly ever happens that the entire crew goes back in the same ship. 18739. They are signed on, as I understand - you will correct me if I am wrong - a few days