Page 220 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

lifeboat accommodation was to be increased by giving proper training to the men in the other departments, and carrying only sufficient deckhands for the proper duties which deckhands have to discharge? - That is obvious. There is no difficulty about giving the necessary training to most of the ratings. 19441. (The Commissioner.) You mean to say, if they are amenable to take it? - I find the stewards are very amenable, and the deckhands also; it is only in the firemen’s case that we cannot get them to do it. The Commissioner: You must not say that, I am afraid, to Mr. Scanlan. The Witness: I think he wants the truth, and that is the truth. 19442-3. (Mr. Scanlan.) Now, with regard to speed, you have given verbal instructions to your Captains in regard to speed under certain circumstances since this disaster, have you not? - No, we have not. I do not quite follow the question - Will you put it a little more clearly? 19444. With regard to precautions for safety and the emergency of meeting ice in the Atlantic, I take it you have given some instructions to your Captains since this accident? - I think I told the Court yesterday what we have done, which is that we have impressed upon them the necessity for exercising even more caution in future than they have done in the past. 19445. But no special directions of any kind have been given? - No. 19446. Does it suggest itself to you as a reasonable thing, that at nights the look-out should be increased? - At nights, ordinarily, no. 19447. At nights when ice is expected? - If it is clear I should think two men would see the ice as well as six. 19448. Now, I want to put this to you: Do you think with your knowledge and experience, which, of course, is very extensive, that it would be advantageous when running at night in a region where ice is expected to station a look-out man at the stem head in addition to the look- out men in the crow’s-nest? - Reasonable - if the Commander thought it would help him, he would do it, undoubtedly, but as to whether it is reasonable or not, I cannot say. There could be no harm in it, certainly - 19449. Do you think it is a desirable thing to do? - I really do not think so. I think two men on the look-out in clear weather are sufficient for any purpose, whether it is for ships or ice or anything else, but perhaps when it was hazy it would be advisable. 19450. Do you think, for the purpose of detecting ice, that it is not desirable to have always a man stationed at the stem head at night? - The term “desirable” bothers me. If you say “desirable” it might be desirable to have a score of people there, but I do not think it is necessary. 19451. Do you think, as a practical man, that it should be done? - No. 19452. Now, do your Company have regulations in regard to sight tests for the look-out men? - We have. 19453. Can you say whether all the look-out men on the “Titanic” had been tested for their sight? - I cannot say of my own knowledge. I am informed that they have experienced difficulty in Southampton in getting men with sight certificates, but it is our wish that it should be done as far as possible. 19454. And that only men with sight certificates should be got for this purpose? - Yes, that is right. Examined by Mr. ROCHE. 19455. I just want to carry a very little further this question of the firemen in the boat (I represent the engineers). As I understand it, you are agreed, and Mr. Scanlan’s clients agree, that it is desirable that the firemen should be practised, if possible, in boat station work and in the manning of boats and in the rowing of boats? - Yes, I think so.