Page 75 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 6 - 9

6921. After the white rocket had been sent up? - After the white rocket had been sent up. 6922. And did you tell him to send Gibson, the apprentice, down to let you know his reply? - Yes. 6923. You did? - I did. 6924. What was the message that Gibson brought down to you then? - That morning? I did not get it, not to my knowledge. I never got it. 6825. You had seen the rocket or you had heard of the rocket? - Yes. 6926. You want to know what the rocket is? - Yes. 6927. You have been trying to find out by Morsing him? - Yes. 6928. And you have failed? - Yes. 6929. Then you say to him that Gibson was to come down and tell you what the result of the Morse signaling was? - Yes. 6930. And then, I suppose, you remained in the chart room? - I remained in the chart room. 6931. Then, so far as you were concerned, you did not know at all what the rocket was for? - No. 6932. And you remained in the chart room? - Yes, I remained in the chart room. 6933. And you did nothing further? - I did nothing further myself. 6934-5. If it was not a company’s signal, must it not have been a distress signal? - If it had been a distress signal the officer on watch would have told me. 6936. I say, if it was not a company’s signal, must it not have been a distress signal? - Well, I do not know of any other signals but distress signals that are used at sea. 6937. You do not expect at sea, where you were, to see a rocket unless it is a distress signal, do you? - We sometimes get these company’s signals which resemble rockets; they do not shoot as high and they do not explode. 6938. You have already told us that you were not satisfied that was a company’s signal. You have told us that? - I asked the officer, was it a company’s signal. 6939. (The Commissioner.) And he did not know? - He did not know. 6940. (The Attorney-General.) You have told me already some few minutes ago - ? - Very well. Sir. 6941. That you were not satisfied it was a company’s signal. You did not think it was a company’s signal? - I inquired, was it a company’s signal. 6942. But you had been told that he did not know? - He said he did not know. 6943. Very well, that did not satisfy you? - It did not satisfy me. 6944. Then if it was not that, it might have been a distress signal? - It might have been. 6945. And you remained in the chart room? - I remained in the chart room. 6946. Expecting Gibson, the Apprentice, to come down and report to you? - Yes. 6947. Gibson did come down? - So I understand. 6948. But you know perfectly well that he came? - I know now. 6949. Did you know then? - I did not. 6950. I think you told us you heard Gibson open and close the door? - Yes. 6951. And you said, “What is it?” - Yes. 6952. And he said nothing? - He did not say anything. 6953. And you were expecting him to come down and tell you what the meaning of the rocket was? - But in the meantime I was asleep. 6954. (The Commissioner.) Yes, but you were not asleep - at least, I suppose not - when you said to the boy, “What is it”? - I was wakened up by the opening of the door - the banging of the door. The Commissioner: There is one matter I want. When was the Morse signal first used? 6955. (The Attorney-General.) You hear my Lord’s question? - Half-past 11 at night.