Page 70 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 6 - 9

The Commissioner: I am told 14, but let us assume it was something between 14 and 19. This mysterious vessel would be between the “Californian” and the “Titanic,” and must have been well within sight of the “Titanic.” The Attorney-General: Yes. The Commissioner: We have heard about the mysterious light that was seen, the imaginary light as it was called, that was seen from the “Titanic,” but dismissing that light, was there any light or any vessel seen by any witness from the “Titanic” at this time? The Attorney-General: There is some evidence of it certainly. The Commissioner: Of what? The Attorney-General: There is some evidence of a light having been seen. The Commissioner: I know; I say, dismissing that imaginary light, is there any evidence of any ship having been seen at this time or about this time by the “Titanic”? The Attorney-General: No, I do not think so. The Commissioner: What is in my brain at the present time is this, that what they saw was the “Titanic.” The Attorney-General: I know. The Commissioner: That is in my brain, and I want to see whether I am right or not. The Attorney-General: It certainly must have been very close. The Commissioner: Clear it up if you can. The Attorney-General: I think it will clear up as we go on - at least, as far as it can be cleared up. It is a point your Lordship will probably have to determine on the evidence. The Commissioner: Yes, and therefore I want the evidence put before me as clearly as possible. 6805. (The Attorney-General - To the Witness.) Can you tell us whether you saw one or two masthead lights? - I only saw one. 6806. You only saw one? - The third officer said he saw two. The Attorney-General: Now that is important. The Commissioner: That is very important, because the “Titanic” would have two. 6807. (The Attorney-General.) Yes, that is it - two masthead lights. (To the Witness.) You only saw one, but the third officer said he saw two? - And the second officer said he saw one. The Attorney-General: Very well; we will hear their accounts from them. The Commissioner: I am sorry to interrupt you, but it is not satisfactory to me. When was it the third officer said he saw two lights? The third officer by this time was below; I do not know what you are talking about now. 6808. (The Attorney-General - To the Witness.) When was it the third officer told you he had seen the two lights? - Before 12 o’clock. 6809. Before 12 o’clock? - Before midnight. At the time I saw one, he saw two. 6810. Were you on deck when he told you this? - He told me the following day, I think; I do not think it was mentioned that night. 6811. He told you next day he had seen two white lights when on deck about 12 o’clock? - Yes, two masthead lights. 6812. Is the third officer still in the ship? - Yes. 6813. Will you tell me his name? - Mr. Groves. 6814. (The Attorney-General.) He will be called, my Lord. (To the Witness.) Will you tell us what he said to you next day about these two lights? - I asked him the next day or the following day - I do not remember exactly, it is so long ago - how many lights the ship had, and he said “two.” I remarked that I only saw one. 6815. (The Commissioner.) Now I want to know this. You had seen only one, and you and he were on the deck together, as I understand you? - Yes.