Page 28 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 27 - 31

Mr. Butler Aspinall: That is all, my Lord. Subject to the evidence of the Master of the “Carpathia,” and possibly two or three formal documents which the Attorney-General may seem fit to put in on Friday, that is the evidence put before your Lordship by the Board of Trade. Sir Robert Finlay: I do not know whether the Table supplied to us by the Board of Trade with reference to the number of other British vessels has been formally put in? The Commissioner: I think we were to have a Note of the vessels over 10,000 tons which had been built since that Rule was extended from 9,000 to 10,000. Sir Robert Finlay: The object of this Table was, as I understand it, to show in a considerable number of British vessels the boat accommodation, as compared with the number of passengers carried or the number of passengers which might be carried; a Table was prepared by the Board of Trade. The Commissioner: And I think one of the things we wanted to know was what number of vessels of 10,000 tons and upwards had been built for the passenger or emigrant service since the Rule was extended from 9,000 to 10,000 ton vessels. Sir Robert Finlay: The Table that I had in my mind was a Table not directed to that precise point, but directed with reference to the number of other vessels, to show what the boating accommodation in fact was. Mr. Butler Aspinall: Is not this it? (Handing a printed document to the learned Counsel.) Sir Robert Finlay: Yes. I saw it in manuscript and it is now printed, and I did not recognise it. I will not stop to comment upon it at any length. I will take the “Lusitania” and the “Mauretania,” which appear upon it. The “Lusitania” could carry 2,889, that was her license, and she had boats for 978. The “Mauretania” was licensed to carry 2,972, and had boats for 976; and so on - there are other cases. The Commissioner: This is not the list I was thinking of. Mr. Butler Aspinall: It has only just been handed to me, but I think this statement contains the information. (Handing same to the Commissioner.) The Commissioner: Is this the list, Sir Ellis? Sir Ellis Cunliffe: I think so, my Lord. The Commissioner: Yes, it is the one. Sir Robert Finlay: To avoid misconception, there is a Mr. Blackett in New York, who examined the boats on board after the “Carpathia.” He has made an affidavit. He is not here. I do not know that it is of any great importance, but I may ask on Friday morning to put in that. The Commissioner: Very well; to what point is the affidavit to be directed? Sir Robert Finlay: Merely as to the condition of the boats and the equipment of the boats; the state of the boats as regards water and biscuits, and so on. However, Mr. Aspinall asks that that should stand over till Friday morning. The Commissioner: Was Mr. Blackett a passenger? Sir Robert Finlay: No, he was a Surveyor. Mr. Butler Aspinall: He was one of Lloyd’s Surveyors. The Commissioner: At New York? Sir Robert Finlay: At New York. We have had a letter from the Marine Superintendent of the Red Star Line at Antwerp, which bears a good deal upon the question your Lordship put as to the speed of vessels. It is, of course, a general statement, and I may ask leave to call the gentleman who made it. I could not put in a letter, of course, unless by consent, but I may ask on Friday morning if that gentleman can come over here. He will not take any time. His name is Captain Apfeld, Marine Superintendent. Mr. Butler Aspinall: With regard to the Board of Trade Witnesses, I am instructed to ask your Lordship whether or not your Lordship wishes any of them to remain in attendance. They have