Page 40 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 6 - 9

crew to know their stations? - They know their stations very well. They knew exactly what to do, because they had been drilled already on the “Olympic.” 6131. They had not all been on the “Olympic,” I take it? - A great many of them - in fact most of them. It was practically a crew from the “Olympic.” 6132. Was there any light in No. 10 when she went off? - I did not see any. 6133. Was there any light in the boat you got on to? - It was daylight. 6134. A crew of two sailors and one steward went with No. 10? - That is all I saw. 6135. Is that all? - That is all I saw. 6136. Was that sufficient for a big lifeboat? - I do not know anything about lifeboats, Sir. 6137. But you were captain of one? - I am not skilled in boats; I am put down as in charge; but, then, I would always give way to a man with nautical knowledge in the boat. 6138. How many men would you expect with you in a boat of which you would have charge? - I should say about seven or eight. 6139. When this boat, No. 10, was being sent off, was there space in the boat to take in a proper crew? - The space was there, but it was filled up with women and children. 6140. Do you know if all the four collapsible boats were sent off from the ship before she sank? - I do not know, Sir. Examined by Mr. ROCHE. 6141. You were nearly two hours or three hours in the water, so I understand, and you can help us about a matter that has aroused a good deal of interest. How much assistance did you get from your lifebelt? Did it support you without your treading water yourself? - Yes. 6142. It did? - Yes - splendid. The Commissioner: You cannot say. Mr. Roche: There have been a good many questions about it - whether that is so or not. That was with regard to a lifebuoy, it is true, but there have been many questions raised about this, and this gentleman is in a better position than practically anyone ever has been to give an opinion about it. 6143. (The Commissioner.) What is this lifebelt made of - is it cork? - Cork. 6144. That you tie round you? - These were a new patent, better than the old ones. You slipped it over your head, and it was like a breastplate and a backplate, and you tied two straps. The Attorney-General: One can be produced, no doubt. 6145. (Mr. Roche.) It is very important to get it cleared up. This is the idea of the new patent, that instead of keeping it down here they put them on the body? - Mine fitted here. (showing.) 6146. Did your men know how to get them on? - Everybody knew, it was so simple. 6147. Did you show any of them? - There was no necessity to show. 6148. Did it in fact support you throughout without your treading water? - Oh, no, you had to assist it. 6149. (The Commissioner.) But you would not have sunk if you had not done anything? - No. It is only a case of keeping your head with one of those lifebelts. 6150. (Mr. Roche.) And simply treading water and paddling? - Just paddling and you keep afloat indefinitely, I should say. 6151. Now a few questions about two other matters. You mustered your own staff and got them up? - Yes. 6152. Did you do that of your own accord, or did you get directions to do so? - I did it of my own accord. 6153. You had no directions from anybody else? - There was a general order; I got no special directions.