quote:
Mr. Butler Aspinall: Has your Lordship got deck E? Deck E, 44 seamen on the port side?
2868. (The Commissioner.) Was it a fore and aft bulkhead that gave way? - Yes, a fore and aft bulkhead.
2869. (Mr. Butler Aspinall.) Did the water come from the starboard side? - Yes.
2870. Now, did you remain below? - No, a matter of half a minute.
2871. You cleared out? - Yes, as fast as I could.
The Attorney-General: Has your Lordship got it now where it is on the plan?
(The Attorney-General pointed out the position on the plan to his Lordship.)
2872. (Mr. Butler Aspinall.) It is difficult to measure time on these occasions, but how long do you think it was after the ship struck the iceberg that this fore and aft bulkhead carried away? - About half-an-hour.
The Commissioner: He first said he went to this place to get his boots three-quarters of an hour after the collision, and that when he got his boots and was coming out then the wooden bulkhead gave way. That must have been, if anything, longer than three-quarters of an hour.
Mr. Butler Aspinall: It is very difficult, my Lord.
The Witness: Well, about three-quarters of an hour, my Lord.