Page 211 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

The Solicitor-General: Nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15 - in fact all of those. The one which does affect him in a way is the second part of No. 19, but I think your Lordship has probably got sufficient evidence about it. “Did the boats, whether those under davits or otherwise, prove to be efficient and serviceable for the purpose of saving life.” The Commissioner: I do not think you need ask this witness about that. 19359. (The Solicitor-General.). There is one circumstance which I think has come to our knowledge which I might ask him about. (To the Witness.) Do you know whether those “Titanic” boats which were taken on board the “Carpathia” were found, any of them, when they reached New York to have suffered - to have sprung or buckled at all? - I have not heard so. The Commissioner: Question 20 he knows nothing about? 19360. (The Solicitor-General.) No, except that I am going to hand to your Lordship a list of the crew, which will give your Lordship the rating. We want to divide them up amongst the different classes. (To the Witness.) You will recognise the bundle, Mr. Sanderson, I think? - Yes. 19361. It is particulars of the crew, showing their rating and the departments to which they belonged. We can have it analysed to your Lordship, if you wish. I do not think the remaining matters touch this witness at all. Sir Robert Finlay: There is the second part of Question 24. 19362. (The Solicitor-General.) Yes. I will pass to the second part of Question 24. The question is, “Was the construction of the vessel and its arrangements such as to make it difficult for any class of passengers or any portion of the crew to take full advantage of any of the existing provisions for safety?” (To the Witness.) Your attention has been directed to the class question in the course of this Inquiry, I daresay? - It has. 19363. What do you say about it? - I say that the “Titanic” was as simple as it was possible to make any ship of her size carrying three classes of passengers. I do not think there was a simpler or more straightforward ship afloat than the “Titanic” for getting from one part of the ship to the other. 19364. Since the disaster and this class question has been raised have you considered it particularly? - I have thought a great deal about it; I have heard it with great surprise. 19365. It is a question which is naturally raised, but as far as you and your advisers are concerned you could not suggest any improvement in that regard? - I really do not know how we could make a ship more straightforward and simple. The Solicitor-General: I think that is all my Lord. (The Witness withdrew.) (Adjourned to tomorrow at 10.30 o’clock.)