Page 241 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

The Commissioner: Is there anyone else who wishes to ask this witness any questions? Examined by Sir ROBERT FINLAY. 19704. You were asked with regard to the number of passengers that the “Titanic” carried as compared with other vessels? - Yes. 19705. Were there other vessels before the “Titanic” and the “Olympic” which carried as many passengers as they do? - There are, and they are running today in our service. 19706. You are prepared to give their names? - Certainly. The “Celtic” and the “Baltic” are approximately the same capacity. 19707. Carrying as many passengers and crew? - Altogether, yes. 19708. Taking them altogether, I mean? - Yes, totals. 19709. How does the deck space of these vessels compare with the “Titanic” and the “Olympic” deck space? - Not as great. 19710. Would there be the same accommodation for boats on vessels of that type? - No, there would not be as much accommodation. 19711. Very roughly, how would it compare with the deck space available for that purpose on such a ship as the “Titanic”? - I am afraid I should not like to guess. I might go so far afield. 19712. Anyhow, it would be considerably less? - Materially less. 19713. Have you looked into the question of the number of lifeboats carried by other liners, with reference to the number of passengers, as compared with the “Titanic” and the “Olympic”? - I have not done so myself. Enquiries are being made, and I cannot say for the moment whether we have got the information or not. 19714. Do you know the general results? - I have not been informed yet. 19715. Enquiries have been made, and that will be established? - Yes, it will be. 19716. Now, with regard to another matter - as to the boat drill. Are these the lists which you have - three of them, I think; one for the sailing department, one for the engine department, and one for the victualling department - the stewards, I suppose, with reference to the boats? - Those are what are put up in the different departments. 19717. These are the documents (Handing same to Witness.)? - Yes, they are. 19718. Perhaps you will keep them for one moment. In addition to those, is there the general boat list? - There is a general boat list, subdivided into these. 19719. Are these put up or framed or stuck up anywhere? - They are put up in the different departments. I am not sure where the general one goes; I think it goes in the chart room. These go in the departments. 19720. Are there emergency lists in addition (Handing same to Witness.)? - Yes, there are. That is an emergency boat list. 19721. (The Commissioner.) I see on this list that an officer is assigned to each boat, and then there are spaces for the names of four other men. That is so, is it not? - I think in practice they would have to put more names in than that, my Lord. The term “Officer,” I think, is used for the purpose of a man who would go in command of the boat. It does not necessarily mean that he would be a ship’s officer. He might be a petty officer. 19722. It begins, “Commander, Chief Officer, First Officer, Second Officer, Carpenters, Boatswains, Quartermaster,” and so on; and then a space is left for four additional names, and they are bracketed together and described as “Seamen.” What does that mean? - I suppose, technically, that every man who goes to sea is a seaman. They would distinguish between the sailors and the firemen. 19723. It does not necessarily mean a deckhand? - I do not think so. Mr. Roche: The next page talks about the firemen.