Page 17 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 27 - 31

Examined by Mr. SCANLAN. 25178. Tell me this, Captain: Do you under any circumstances at night double the look-out? - In fog only. 25179. If on a night when you experienced some difficulty in seeing, you found, although the night was clear, it was more difficult to see than at other times, would you have doubled the look-out? - Oh, yes. 25180. Very well. If you doubled the look-out, where would you station the extra look-out men? - One on each bow. 25181. One on each bow? - Yes. 25182. Of course you had a crow’s-nest? - Yes. 25183. Had you two in the crow’s-nest as a Rule? - Yes. 25184. During the nighttime, when you expected to meet ice, would you then, in accordance with your practice, double the look-out? - Not if it was clear weather. 25185. But if you experienced any difficulty at all? - If it was hazy, yes, I should double the look-out at once. 25186. If there was any difficulty at all in seeing would you reduce your speed? - Well, if it was hazy, yes. 25187. If it was a flat calm and you expected ice - you were warned of ice and knew you would meet ice in the course of the night - would you double the look-out? - No, as long as the weather is clear. Examined by Mr. CLEMENT EDWARDS. 25188. Have you, in your Sailing Directions, any instructions as to what you are to do in an ice-field? - No, I do not think we have, because I never got into an ice-field. We do not go North, you know; we go on the Southern tracks this time of year. 25189. There are no instructions at all. You have, of course, been through ice? - No. 25190. (The Commissioner.) Have you never seen an iceberg? - I have seen them, my Lord, yes. 25191. How far off? - Sometimes two or three miles, sometimes 10 miles. 25192. Have you never passed close to an iceberg? - No, not nearer than two miles. 25193. (Mr. Edwards.) In your instructions as to going on the Southern course is there anything said there as to avoiding ice? - No. 25194. No reference at all in your printed instructions as to ice? - No. 25195. You have to use your own discretion? - Yes. 25196. (The Commissioner.) You followed the same course, as I understand, on the “Mauretania” as the “Titanic” took? - Yes. Examined by Mr. COTTER. 25197. Is it not the custom in the Cunard Company for every man to have a boat station? - Yes. 25198. A bulkhead door station? - Yes. 25199. And fire station? - Yes. The Commissioner: You cannot begin all this over again. 25200. (Mr. Cotter.) I want to show the contrast, if you will allow me. (To the Witness.) Every man receives a boat badge in the Cunard Company? - Yes, quite right. 25201. You have boat drill before you leave port on sailing day? - Yes.