It is now convenient to answer the 26 questions submitted by the board
of trade.
1. When the _Titanic_ left Queenstown on or about April 11 last: (_a_)
What was the total number of persons employed in any capacity on board
her, and what were their respective ratings? (_b_) What was the total
number of her passengers, distinguishing sexes and classes, and
discriminating between adults and children?
Answer. (_a_) The total number of persons employed in any capacity on
board the _Titanic_ was 885.
The respective ratings of these persons were as follows:
Deck department 66
Engine department 325
Victualing department 494
---
885
N. B.--The eight bandsmen are not included in this number, as their
names appear in the second class passenger list.
(_b_) The total number of passengers was 1,316. Of these:
------------------+---------+----------+--------
| Male. | Female. | Total.
------------------+---------+----------+--------
First class | 180 | 145 | 325
Second class | 179 | 106 | 285
Third class | 510 | 196 | 706
| | +--------
| | | 1,316
------------------+---------+----------+--------
Of the above, 6 children were in the first class, 24 in the second class
and 79 in the third class. Total, 109.
2. Before leaving Queenstown on or about April 11 last did the _Titanic_
comply with the requirements of the merchant shipping acts, 1894-1906,
and the rules and regulations made thereunder with regard to the safety
and otherwise of "passenger steamers" and "emigrant ships?"
Answer. Yes.
3. In the actual design and construction of the _Titanic_ what special
provisions were made for the safety of the vessel and the lives of those
on board in the event of collisions and other casualties?
Answer. These have been already described.
4. (_a_) Was the _Titanic_ sufficiently and efficiently officered and
manned? (_b_) Were the watches of the officers and crew usual and
proper? (_c_) Was the _Titanic_ supplied with proper charts?
Answer. (_a_) Yes. (_b_) Yes. (_c_) Yes.
5. (_a_) What was the number of the boats of any kind on board the
_Titanic_? (_b_) Were the arrangements for manning and launching the
boats on board the _Titanic_ in case of emergency proper and sufficient?
(_c_) Had a boat drill been held on board, and if so, when? (_d_) What
was the carrying capacity of the respective boats?
Answer. (_a_) 2 Emergency boats, 14 lifeboats, 4 Engelhardt boats. (_b_)
No, but see page 38. (_c_) No. (_d_) The carrying capacity of the 2
emergency boats was for 80 persons; 14 lifeboats was for 910 persons; 4
Engelhardt boats was for 188 persons; or a total of 1,178 persons.
6. (_a_) What installations for receiving and transmitting messages by
wireless telegraphy were on board the _Titanic_? (_b_) How many
operators were employed on working such installations? (_c_) Were the
installations in good and effective working order, and were the number
of operators sufficient to enable messages to be received and
transmitted continuously by day and night?
Answer. (_a_) A Marconi 5-kilowatt motor generator with two complete
sets of apparatus supplied from the ship's dynamos, with an independent
storage battery and coil for emergency, was fitted in a house on the
boat deck. (_b_) Two. (_c_) Yes.
7. (_a_) At or prior to the sailing of the _Titanic_ what, if any,
instructions as to navigation were given to the master or known by him
to apply to her voyage? (_b_) Were such instructions, if any, safe,
proper, and adequate, having regard to the time of year and dangers
likely to be encountered during the voyage?
Answer. (_a_) No special instructions were given, but he had general
instructions contained in the book of Rules and Regulations supplied by
the company. (See p. 24.) (_b_) Yes, but having regard to subsequent
events they would have been better if a reference had been made to the
course to be adopted in the event of reaching the region of ice.
8. (_a_) What was in fact the track taken by the _Titanic_ in crossing
the Atlantic Ocean? (_b_) Did she keep to the track usually followed by
liners on voyages from the United Kingdom to New York in the month of
April? (_c_) Are such tracks safe tracks at that time of the year? (_d_)
Had the master any, and if so, what discretion as regards the track to
be taken?
Answer. (_a_) The outward southern track from Queenstown to New York,
usually followed in April by large steam vessels. (See page 24.) (_b_)
Yes, with the exception that instead of altering her course on
approaching the position 42° N. 47° W., she stood on on her previous
course for some 10 miles farther southwest, turning to S. 86° W. true at
5.50 p.m. (_c_) The outward and homeward bound southern tracks were
decided on as the outcome of many years' experience of the normal
movement of ice. They were reasonably safe tracks for the time of year,
provided, of course, that great caution and vigilance when crossing the
ice region were observed. (_d_) Yes. Capt. Smith was not fettered by any
orders to remain on the track should information as to the position of
ice make it, in his opinion, undesirable to adhere to it. The fact,
however, of lane routes having been laid down for the common safety of
all would necessarily influence him to keep on (or very near) the
accepted route, unless circumstances as indicated above should induce
him to deviate largely from it.
9. (_a_) After leaving Queenstown on or about the 11th April last, did
information reach the _Titanic_ by wireless messages or otherwise by
signals of the existence of ice in certain latitudes? (_b_) If so, what
were such messages or signals and when were they received, and in what
position or positions was the ice reported to be, and was the ice
reported in or near the track actually being followed by the _Titanic_?
(_c_) Was her course altered in consequence of receiving such
information, and, if so, in what way? (_d_) What replies to such
messages or signals did the _Titanic_ send, and at what times?
Answer. (_a_) Yes. (_b_) See particulars of ice messages already set out
(pp. 26-28). (_c_) No; her course was altered as hereinbefore described,
but not in consequence of the information received as to ice. (_d_) The
material answers were--
At 12.55 p.m. steamship _Titanic_:
* * * * *
To COMMANDER, _Baltic_.
Thanks for your message and good wishes. Had fine weather since leaving.