Page 92 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 23 - 26

often very heavy and should not be entered unless it is obviously in loose patches. Lanes in the ice often come to an end, and it is unwise to enter them unless clear water can be seen beyond. It is usually the safest course to go South to get round the field ice, and Commanders have permission to use their discretion to deviate from the track under such circumstances? - Yes. 23676. Are those your directions? - Yes. 23677. (The Commissioner.) Are those the directions you were talking about? - Yes. The Commissioner: Very well; then there they are. 23678. (Mr. Clement Edwards.) You were in the service of the Dominion Line before it became acquired by the American Trust? - Yes, for 27 years. 23679. Are those sailing directions as to navigation in the ice-fields the same as or different from the instructions which you had when the Dominion Line Company had control? - Practically the same. 23680. Not quite? - Perhaps not worded exactly the same. The meaning is the same. Examined by Sir ROBERT FINLAY. 23681. You were asked as to the Dominion Line vessels being under the control of the International Mercantile Marine? - Yes. 23682. That was formed, I think, in 1902? - Yes. 23683. Ten years ago? - Yes. 23684. You have been in that trade for 27 years? - Yes. 23685. Was your practice before 1902 exactly the same as it has been since? - Exactly the same. 23686. Now, I want to know what those messages were; what sort of ice did they report? - Field ice and bergs. 23687. Perhaps you will refer to the messages and just tell us? - Shall I read it out? 23688. If you please, so far as it relates to ice. What vessel is this from? - This is from the “Tunisian” from the “Royal Edward.” 23689. Reporting a message which they had from the “Royal Edward”? - Yes. “The ‘Royal Edward’ this morning reports bergs 42-48 N., 49-40 W., and passed through ice-field in 42-35 N. and 50-18 W., extending N. and S. as far as visible. Some of this ice is heavy and dangerous.” 23690. Where were you at the time you got that message? - Between 52 and 53 W. and 43 N. 23691. Did you receive another message later on from the “Bulgaria”? - Yes. 23692. What was that? - “Nine p.m. hazy, pack ice in 42-24 N. and 50-6 W.” 23693. The weather is “hazy.” I thought it was “heavy”? - Well, it is “heavy.” “Heavy pack ice in 42-24 N. and 50-6 W., large bergs in 42-31 N. and 40-50 W.” Sir Robert Finlay: It is 49, is it not? The Commissioner: What is this for? 23694. (Sir Robert Finlay.) To show the nature of the message he received, reporting not only field ice, but also bergs and pack ice? - It is 49.50. It is a mistake in the telegram here. 23695. What was your position when you got your second message about the ice? - About 51 W. 23696. And N. - Forty-three N. 23697. Forty-three N. and 51 W.? - About that. 23698. Were you still going East at full speed? - Yes. 23699. What was the state of the sea? - Calm and clear. 23700. Was there any swell? - There might be a light swell, yes; but the sea was smooth. 23701. If there was any swell it was moderate? - Yes; I mean to say there was no wind, the surface of the sea was calm; there might be a little swell.