Page 203 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 27 - 31

speed to be reduced. No book of Instructions and Regulations sent.” Then there is the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Canadian route: “Mount Temple” - evidence already produced in Enquiry. “’Montrose’ - log shows vessel maintained speed when in sight of and passing ice and later slowed down on account of thick weather. The attached letter from the Canadian Pacific Railway suggests that stoppages and reductions in speed on account of ice are recorded, but this is not borne out by the logbook.” Then under the heading of “Instructions to Commanders of Vessels”: “If weather thick or unfavourable, speed to be reduced. Safety of passengers and cargo is the first consideration.” Then there is the Allan Line, Canadian Route, “Parisian,” received wireless message re presence of ice, which was also sighted. Weather clear, so speed not reduced. Course altered when ice sighted. “Carthaginian.” received message re presence of ice, but none seen. This vessel took a Southerly course, but no record to show reason for this. Then under the heading of “Instructions to Commanders of Vessels.” “Field ice not to be entered, if possible to avoid it; but, if entered, speed to be reduced. The vessel’s course and speed are secondary considerations compared with the safety of the ship.” Then the Cunard Line. “Copies of wireless messages were sent to Secretary, General Post Office, on the 2nd May. “‘Carmania’ encountered field ice during foggy weather; vessel stopped. When fog lifted vessel proceeded slowly, passing field ice. ‘Mauretania,’ - On approaching ice region deviated to the Southward; this vessel sighted the ‘Baltic’ during the forenoon of the 15th April and received news of the ‘Titanic’ disaster before altering course. ‘Anconia’ - No ice sighted.” The instructions to commanders are similar to those in other cases: Captains to use their discretion, but safety of the ship and passengers is the first and only consideration.” There are the same instructions in the case of Furness, Withy and Co., which had no vessels in the vicinity on this occasion. The White Star Line I need not deal with, as Mr. Sanderson has been called. Then with regard to the Dominion Line, Captain Jones of the “Canada” has been called, so that is answered, and in the case of the Canadian Northern Steamship Company no reply has been received. The Hamburg-Amerika th Line - “Have sent telegram (20 June) as follows: Referring your letter (6th June), we will answer your questions Saturday after arrival ‘President Lincoln.’ Other informations not possible before arrival of ‘Prince Adalbert,’ 28th June.” The Commissioner: What am I to do about that? Sir Robert Finlay: We have not got it, my Lord. If we get it, of course it will be handed to your Lordship. The Commissioner: If it comes I should like to see it. Sir Robert Finlay: Certainly, my Lord. The Commissioner: You do not object, Mr. Attorney. The Attorney-General: Oh, no. As soon as we get it your Lordship shall have it. We have been collecting it. Sir Robert Finlay: The Norddeutscher Lloyd say: “Steamers were going full speed as long as th the weather kept clear. The s.s. ‘Bremen’ reduced to 8 knots on the 20 April from 2.20 to 4.20 a.m. in the ice region because it was rainy weather.” There is a letter from the Norddeutscher Lloyd Company. It is dated the 18th June, my Lord, and is about five pages from the end of the bundle. The Commissioner: Is this letter from the Norddeutscher in German? The Attorney-General: I should think it was in German by the look of it. The Commissioner: So I think. The date is in German. Sir Robert Finlay: It has been translated. The Commissioner: I should like to see the letter itself. Sir Robert Finlay: I do not think the date being in German is a necessary indication that the letter was in German. You constantly get a letter from a German firm with the date in German