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British
Inquiry
Testimony of Herbert
Pitman
14992. Will that help you to
approximate what you think was the time between the
striking of the iceberg and your getting to boat No.
5? Was it an hour, do you think? - No, I should
think it would be about 12.20.
14997. How many men had you
helping at this boat? - I think four.
14998. Were they sailor
men, or could you tell in the darkness of the night?
- Well, I knew that two were.
14999. And was the boat
uncovered and swung out? - Yes.
15000. What was done with
it? Was it then lowered to the level of the boat
deck? - It was lowered level.
15004. The Captain told you
to “carry on.” Did you then return to the boat deck?
- I was already there; I returned to No. 5.
15005. Yes, you were on it.
You returned to your boat No. 5? - Yes.
15017. What did he say? -
Well, I jumped out of the boat then, ready to lower
away, and he said, “You go in charge of this boat,
and also look after the others, and stand by to come
along the after gangway when hailed.”
15018. Did you go in charge
of this boat? - I did.
15021. (Mr. Butler
Aspinall.) Did you say something about Mr. Murdoch
saying he would hail you when he wanted you
alongside the gangway? - Yes. He said, “Keep handy
to come to the after gangway.” Therefore, I
understood he would hail us.
15022. You understood it? -
Yes.
15023. Was the boat
properly lowered away? - It was.
15024. And you got put down
to the waters edge? - Yes 15025.
On reaching the water what was done with that boat?
- We pulled away about 100 yards from the side of
the ship.
15026. And then? - Lay on
our oars..
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