Page 213 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

application.) MR. ROBERTSON DUNLOP watched the proceedings on behalf of the owners and officers of the s.s. “Californian.” (Leyland Line). (Admitted on Application.) MR. H. E. DUKE, K. C., M. P., and MR. VAUGHAN WILIAMS (instructed by Messrs. A. F. and R. W. Tweedie) appeared as Counsel on behalf of Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff-Gordon. (Admitted on Application.) HAROLD ARTHUR SANDERSON, Recalled. Examined by Mr. SCANLAN. 19366. In the ordinary course of events would the mails carried by the “Titanic” be delivered to the postal authorities immediately on her docking in New York? - Before she docked. 19367. Now from what port on this side is the advice sent to the postal authorities in New York, letting them know when to expect her? - From no port on this side; they would undoubtedly get their information from the New York office of the White Star Line. 19368. Do you know what communication was made from Southampton or Queenstown to your New York office as to the time of the arrival of the “Titanic,” the time it was expected at which she would arrive? - I certainly know of none, and I should say offhand that none was made. 19369. Do you mean to say that at the time the vessel left Queenstown your people in Queenstown would not send any advice to the New York office apprising them of the hour at which they expected the “Titanic” to arrive? - Most certainly not. Such a thing would be most unusual and most un-businesslike. The Commissioner: Do not ask speculative questions. If you have anything leading you to believe that such a thing would be done, then by all means ask it, but it takes up a great deal of time to ask these particulars. Mr. Scanlan: Of course the statement we have, my Lord, is the statement of Mr. Ismay in his evidence as to the boat, the “Titanic” being expected to arrive in New York on Wednesday, but there is also mention of it in the evidence of Tuesday. The Commissioner: That may be, Mr. Scanlan, but pass it by. 19370. (Mr. Scanlan.) If you please, my Lord. (To the Witness.) In ordering the “Olympic” and the “Titanic” was any specification delivered to the builders? - Delivered to the builders? 19371. Yes? - None. 19372. Or prepared by the builders and submitted to you? - None. 19373. Did you make any request to the builders, Messrs. Harland and Wolff, as to lifeboats? - No. 19374. Can you tell me whether there was any discussion between you personally, as a Director, and the builders, or any responsible member of their firm as to the provision of lifeboats for the “Olympic” or the “Titanic”? - Yes, I believe there was. 19375. Can you recall any conversation in which you yourself took part in regard to this? - I cannot say I recall a conversation, but I recall that at one of our interviews with Lord Pirrie the question of the number of lifeboats that would be supplied was referred to, but it was only referred to in general terms, and I cannot recall that any opinion was expressed one way or the other as to the number that Messrs. Harland and Wolff would supply. 19376. Then was it left to Messrs. Harland and Wolff to decide for themselves how many lifeboats would be supplied to the “Titanic”? - It is not quite fair to put it in that way, but Messrs. Harland and Wolff would in the first instance be under an obligation to boat the ship equal to the Government requirements, and, as the result of the discussion which I refer to, additional boats were put on, to be on the safe side.