Page 180 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 23 - 26

increased in length, and that would take off some of the space, and I have great doubts unless you go for a very small boat whether you would get the davits in. The Chairman: Then, again, we should be up against the crew question, and whether you want the bigger boats or more of the smaller boats. We are satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable - we will not say possible - to increase the number of davits, and then with regard to increasing facilities for additional boats to be launched from the same davits we should be up against the point, how do we think the number of boats should be increased in the case of ships not specially subdivided.” In that question has the crew question any other meaning, in relation to these boats, except an increase in the number of the crew? - My remark refers to a question that you are always having in these manning discussions in regard to the boats - the size of the boat. If you have a big boat then you want fewer men to manage it as a Rule - I mean the number of hands does not increase in proportion to the increase in the boat, and my remark was only in relation to that. It has nothing to do with the point you are putting. The Commissioner: It does not seem in the least to bear out your suggestion, Mr. Edwards, that he objected to Mr. Carlisle’s suggestion on the ground that it would involve the employment of a larger number of men. 24820. (Mr. Edwards.) With respect, my Lord, I was going to ask him what other point it referred to. I have just asked him what other meaning the crew question had. (To the Witness.) If Mr. Carlisle’s suggestion had been carried out, would it not in fact have involved the employment of a larger number of deckhands? - Which of Mr. Carlisle’s suggestions? 24821. That particular proposal of putting on three or four more sets of davits on the “Titanic”? - I have not the number of the crew that the “Titanic” carried, but certainly I should say it would increase it. The Commissioner: If you have more boats of the same size it involves the employment of more men to manage them, that is obvious, but I do not think that is what Sir Norman Hill means. 24822. (Mr. Edwards.) That is what I want to get from this Witness? - May I go further and deal with what my Lord has said? 24823. Certainly, if you will come back and answer my questions afterwards? - And if you have still more boats, but of a smaller size, you will still further increase the crew. That is what my remark goes to. It is the comparison between the small boat and the big boat. 24824. Have you any views, having sat on this Committee as Chairman, as to the number of crew that lifeboats of a 65 capacity should carry? - That we are debating now. 24825. You have no views? - I have views, but I would sooner not express them. 24826. Had you any views when that report was drawn up? - Yes, and I have got them still. 24827. They are the same views, are they? - They are the same views. Mr. Edwards: Have you any views - perhaps that is also in the future - as to motor-boats? 24828. (The Commissioner.) What do you say about motor-boats? Are you going to excuse yourself from saying anything by telling me that it is a matter of consideration for the Committee? - Well, my Lord, we recommended and the Board have adopted, a Rule which makes the carrying of a motor-boat optional, showing what our mind was. 24829. Do not you think it would be much better that it should be compulsory? - There is a very great division of opinion as to the use of the boats - as to the difficulty of launching the boats and such things, but the Committee as a whole are in favour of the motor-boat, and have recommended that it might be carried. We wanted to get a little more experience before we said it must be carried.