Page 172 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

reported in July, 1911? - Yes, I think I know the figures. 18989. Can you tell us how the number of boats on board the “Titanic” compared with either the Board of Trade Regulations or the Recommendations of that Advisory Committee in July, 1911? - In the cubic capacity? 18990. Yes? - The Board of Trade, I think, would call for 9,500 cubic feet. We had 11,300 or 11,400 cubic feet. Owing to the construction of the “Olympic” and the “Titanic,” the bulkheads being carried and the wireless installation, I think the Board of Trade would have asked us to supply 7,500 cubic feet, whereas we had 11,300 cubic feet. The Commissioner: What has it to do with the Marconi installation? Sir Robert Finlay: I suppose the facilities for calling help, my Lord. Perhaps your Lordship will allow the witness to answer. I was about to make my own suggestion. 18991. (The Commissioner.) Perhaps you will repeat it to me, and I shall then understand it. The Witness: The Board of Trade take the ordinary emigrant ship and the “Titanic” size. The Attorney-General: I think I may make this observation in public which I had made to my friend. I understand from my friend’s question now put to Mr. Ismay that Mr. Ismay is asked to give information to the Court with reference to the boat accommodation and the Board of Trade Rules and compliance with the Board of Trade Rules. That, of course, involves to some extent the construction. I understood from Mr. Ismay himself, and from what has been suggested to us, that Mr. Ismay was not able to speak to these matters, that they did not come into his department, and that he did not enquire into them, and therefore we purposely refrained from putting questions to him; but if he is put forward as a gentleman who does know, then we must go through the whole matter with him. Sir Robert Finlay: I was only asking Mr. Ismay very generally. Mr. Sanderson knows a great deal more about the details. The Attorney-General: It is a little unfortunate to ask him generally. The Commissioner: Would it be more convenient for me to wait until Mr. Sanderson comes? Sir Robert Finlay: If your Lordship pleases, certainly. The Attorney-General: It means I must go into it, if my friend does. The Commissioner: Very well, I will wait. Sir Robert Finlay: I merely say what I think your Lordship will find will be proved by Mr. Sanderson, that the accommodation on board the “Titanic” was considerably in excess of that required by the Board of Trade Rules, and was considerably in excess of that that would have been required under the recommendations of the Committee which reported in July, 1911. The Attorney-General: I agree it is in excess of the Board of Trade requirements. Sir Robert Finlay: And of the recommendations of that Advisory Committee in July, 1911, as applicable to a vessel with such watertight compartments as the “Titanic” had. The Attorney-General: Yes. Sir Robert Finlay: That is, as I understand it, what Mr. Sanderson will say. The Attorney-General: That is what I opined - that it carried more boats than were required by the Board of Trade Regulations. 18992. (Sir Robert Finlay - To the Witness.) Now, since this deplorable accident, I think a number of rafts have been carried as well as more boats? - Yes, I believe that is so. 18993. Rafts with air tanks below, so as to be able to carry a number of people upon them, and boats? - Yes. 18994. You were asked a question on a very important subject, that was the desirability of securing continuous service by the same crew approximately for a series of voyages in the same vessel? - Yes. 18995. Has your Company taken steps to endeavour to secure that end? - Some years ago we were very anxious to try to get the men to stick to the Company and to stick to the ships. With