Page 93 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

17657. Before you left the ship did you see anything of the light of another vessel in the neighbourhood? - Yes. 17658. What light was that? - A white light, bright. 17659. What sort of distance did you think it was? - Four or five miles. 17660. Was anything said by you about it to anybody, or did any of the officers mention it to you? - They did not mention it to me, personally, but we were Morsing to her. 17661. You were not, were you? - The Fourth Officer and myself. 17662. After you had got into the boat and before you got to the “Carpathia,” did you notice that same light? - Yes. 17663. What I think you meant to tell us was, the ship had struck an iceberg, and then, after that, before you got into the boat, you saw this light? - I went on the fore bridge. 17664. While you were on the bridge? - Yes. 17665. And afterwards you go away in the starboard collapsible boat and see some light? - Yes. 17666. At about the same sort of distance? - About the same. 17667. When you saw this light did you notice whether the head of the “Titanic” was altering either to port or starboard? - Yes. 17668. You did notice? - Yes. 17669. Was your vessel’s head swinging at the time you saw this light of this other vessel? - I put it down that her stern was swinging. 17670. Which way was her stern swinging? - Practically dead south, I believe, then. 17671. Do you mean her head was facing south? - No, her head was facing north. She was coming round to starboard. 17672. The stern was swung to the south? - Yes. 17673. And at that time you saw this white light? - Yes. 17674. How was it bearing from you? - When I first saw it it was half a point on the port bow, and roughly about two points when I left the bridge. 17675. Did you notice before you left the ship whether she had a list either way? - Yes. 17676. When did you first notice that? - When I left the after bridge to go on the fore bridge. 17677. Which way was she listed? - To port. 17678. Was it a big list or a small list? - When I left she would be about six degrees. 17679. When you left what? - When I left the ship. 17680. In the boat? - Yes. 17681. Was it increasing? - I could not say. 17682. You did not notice? - No. 17683. Did you take any part in firing distress rockets? - Yes. 17684. How long do you think it was from the time you commenced firing the rockets till you finished firing the rockets? - From about a quarter to one to about 1.25. 17685. Yes, that is right. You gave evidence in America about it, and I see what you said there was: “I assisted the officer to fire them” - that is, rockets - “and was firing distress signals until about five and twenty past one.” That is accurate? - Yes. (After a short adjournment.) The Attorney-General: Before your Lordship proceeds with this witness’s evidence, there is a matter which is, I think, of considerable importance upon which I would like to have some direction from you. In Question 26, the last Question, the Court is invited to make any recommendations or suggestions that it may think fit, having regard to the circumstances of the casualty, with a view