Page 20 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

Sir Robert Finlay: I am told it is 2 hours and 10 minutes. The Solicitor-General: I have taken the corresponding times. I want to compare like with like - 9.5 p.m., New York time, I am comparing with 7.50 p.m., New York time. Sir Robert Finlay: Oh, yes, I beg your pardon. I thought you were giving the equivalent of ship’s time. The Solicitor-General: The “Mesaba” message is sent at 7.50, New York time. The message you were referring to, which was interrupted, is 9.5. Sir Robert Finlay: I beg your pardon. 16258. (The Solicitor-General - To the Witness.) This request to “stand out” or “keep out,” just explain that to us? - That is given by an operator on a ship who is working with another ship, or another coast station, and is jammed by someone else, he is simply told to stop it, that is all, just in the same way as if anyone interrupts you when you telephone, you ask him to “ring off” or “keep off.” The Solicitor-General: There might be some general matters at a later stage we should want from this gentleman, but it appeared to us that it would be well to ask Mr. Bride now to come and give evidence, that we may follow this matter up. The Commissioner: I think that is convenient, Sir Robert? Sir Robert Finlay: Certainly, my Lord. Then the cross-examination of this witness will be postponed. The Solicitor-General: That is as you please. On this point I should have thought you would deal with him now. The Attorney-General: We ought to have it now. Sir Robert Finlay: Very well. Examined by Sir ROBERT FINLAY. 16259. With regard to the “Amerika,” I will take them in the order in which you have dealt with them - I understood you to tell us this yesterday. You see the letters which are printed M.G.V. on the message from the “Amerika”? - Yes. 16260. I understood you to say that that was a coast station of yours? - The “Amerika”? 16261. No, the M.G.V. I will refer you to your answer, if you like. It is 16078 on the very last page of the proceedings. This is the Solicitor-General speaking to you. “I will just read it, and then I am going to ask you why you say it is sent through the ‘Titanic.’ ‘No. 110, ‘Amerika’ Office, 14th April, 1912. Prefix M.S.G.’ That is Master Navigation Message. ‘Service instructions: via Cape Race. Office sent to M.G.V.’ What does that mean”? - That should have been “M.G.Y.” 16262. Now I am going to read your answer. “Those are the call letters for one of our ship stations”? - Yes. 16263. You mean M.G.V. meant one of your ship stations? - No; I do not understand how that mistake has arisen - M.G.Y.. 16264. You said distinctly - it agrees with the recollection of those who heard you - “Office sent to, M.G.V.” What does that mean? And you say, “Those are the call letters for one of our ship stations”? - M.G.V. are the call letters of one of our ship stations, the “Monmouth”; but it should not have been “M.G.V.,” it should have been “M.G.Y.” 16265. “M.G.Y.”? - Yes, “Titanic.” That is a mistake in the print. 16266. And “M.G.V.” was the name of another ship altogether? - Yes. 16267. Very good. You have shown us the original, and it is “M.G.Y.”? - “M.G.Y.” Sir Robert Finlay: Very good. 16268. (The Solicitor-General.) That means the “Titanic”? - That is the “Titanic.”