Page 88 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 23 - 26

The Attorney-General: I should think so, but this is easily ascertained. The White Star can tell us. The reason why I connected the two was because they were the only ones produced, and he was referring to reports which he had had. Sir Robert Finlay: Captain Bartlett informs me that the new track further South was adopted on the 24th April. The Solicitor-General: That means the ship had started then, and was not in mid-Atlantic then. Sir Robert Finlay: No, not unless it was communicated with. The Commissioner: This is the report of the 24th April. I think it must refer to the old track. The Attorney-General: It must, I think. The Commissioner: On the American hydrographic chart the new routes are said to have been adopted on the 19th April, 1912. The Attorney-General: If that is right then Mr. Sanderson, when he said a couple of weeks ago must have been referring to those two of the 24th and 27th April, 1912. It does not quite fit in, but that is what he must have had in mind, I think. Sir Robert Finlay: We will have it looked up. The Attorney-General: If it was on the 19th April it would be right. The Attorney-General: There are two Captains whom my friend Sir Robert Finlay would like called. Your Lordship will remember we have called two already. As they have to sail it is necessary to call them at once. RICHARD OWEN JONES, Sworn. Examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL. 23590. Are you Master of the steamship “Canada”? - Yes. 23591. I think that is a vessel belonging to the Dominion Line? - Yes. 23592. Have you been her Master for some nine years? - Yes. 23593. Of course, you hold a Master’s certificate. How long have you held it? - Twenty-eight years. 23594. And I think we may assume you have been going to sea longer than that? - Yes. 23595. Have you been for the last 27 years with the Dominion Line? - I have. 23596. Is that a line of steamers between this country and Canada? - Yes. 23597. And have you been in that Canadian service for some years? - Twenty-seven years. 23598. Let us take April, 1912, the month in which this calamity happened, did you sail as Master of the “Canada” from Portland (Maine) in that month? - Yes. 23599. I think on the 7th of April? - On the 7th of April I left Portland. 23600. Bound for Liverpool? - Yes. 23601. Did you get any messages on your voyage about ice? - Yes, several. 23602. Which was the day? - On the 9th I had a message from the “Tunisian.” 23603. That is an Allan Line steamer, is it not? - Yes. 23604. A wireless message, I suppose? - Yes. 23605. Just tell us what it was shortly? - I have a copy in my pocket. The Solicitor-General: The “Tunisian” was bound East, my Lord. The Commissioner: I understand the “Canada” was going to Liverpool. 23606. (The Attorney-General.) No, the “Tunisian” that sent the message was going East. This vessel was bound West, so that they were crossing ships? - They were both bound East. 23607. (The Solicitor-General.) It is my mistake entirely. They were both bound East. Will you read the message? The Witness: At 8.45 p.m., G.M.T., 43° 22’ N. and 54° 12’ W.