Page 206 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 23 - 26

starvation? - Yes, that is incorrect. 25165. It is all pure invention? - I would not say pure invention, because before we knew the circumstances of the abandonment of this boat there was that idea in my mind that they possibly had done so. Having the evidence of five people in the boat and only finding three I had it in my mind that there might have been privation. 25166. (The Commissioner.) There is a statement in the newspapers that there was a cork on this boat which had apparently been partly eaten. Did you see the cork? - No, it was not in the condition you think. There was powdered cork all over a good deal of the bottom of the boat attached to some of their clothing but this powdered cork had been collected - I am speaking of things which I am not absolutely cognisant of because the cork had been removed - but the cork must have been on the part which was covered by the lifebelts before they were taken off. The lifebelts were on the bodies. They were taken off before I saw the bodies. 25167. (Sir Robert Finlay.) My Lord has referred to powdered cork. It was said you had found these poor people had eaten cork? - No, I never found that. There was a report but I never expressed that. (The Witness withdrew.) Mr. Laing: Your Lordship asked Mr. Wilding yesterday to get some correspondence from Belfast, and he has done so. It is here. The Commissioner: Very well, you can hand it to Mr. Scanlan. Mr. Laing: I think it was Mr. Edwards. Mr. Scanlan: I think it was Mr. Edwards who asked for it. The Commissioner: It was your desire to have this correspondence, Mr. Edwards? Mr. Edwards: I should like to look through it. The Commissioner: Very well; I think you might trust it to the custody of Mr. Edwards, and he can take it home and read it. (The correspondence was handed to the learned Counsel.) (Adjourned to tomorrow, at 10.30 o’clock.)