Senator SMITH.
Is this framework fitted into the canvas, or the canvas to the framework?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; it is the bottom of the boat, and it is rather a shallow boat with a canvas to it which pulls up and forms a kind of protection around the people sitting in the boat.
Senator SMITH.
From what point in the boat's construction does this canvas appear; from the extreme upper part?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes; I think it is from the extreme upper part, from what I remember of them. I never have been in one.
Senator SMITH.
But the canvas is not intended to float the boat?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Oh, no; oh, no.
Senator SMITH.
How does it differ from the lifeboat in its security and strength?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not quite understand what you mean?
Senator SMITH.
Do you regard the collapsible boat as safe, well constructed, and suitable as the ordinary lifeboat for the purposes for which they are intended?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not think it would stand so much knocking about as a lifeboat. I do not know what they would behave like in a seaway.
Senator SMITH.
Do you think that they are as well suited to resist the sea?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I should not think so.
Senator SMITH.
Then, according to your judgment, they do not exactly answer the same purpose and requirement as the lifeboats?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I can not say from experience, but I do not think that they would stand the water or the knocking about as a lifeboat would in a seaway.
Senator SMITH.
Are they as easily lowered and kept in position?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I do not think so. I prefer the lifeboats.
Senator SMITH.
Are they as accessible to people in peril on shipboard as the lifeboats?
Mr. BOXHALL.
It depends upon in what position they are kept.
Senator SMITH.
Where are they kept?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The ones on the Titanic - there was one of them exactly underneath the sea boats davits on either side, on the same level on the boat deck as the lifeboats.
Senator SMITH.
And as securely fastened to the davits?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; she was not securely fastened to the davits. She was not fastened to the davits at all. After the sea boatswere lowered, then would come the collapsible boats.
Senator SMITH.
Where were they? Were they lying about on the deck?
Mr. BOXHALL.
They were on the deck.
Senator SMITH.
Unattached?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Unattached - unattached to the davits.
Senator SMITH.
How many of these boats were there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Four.
Senator SMITH.
You described another type of boat. What is that?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The sea boat or emergency boat.
Senator SMITH.
What kind of a boat is that?
Mr. BOXHALL.
It is the same as a lifeboat, only smaller and lighter built. It is always kept swung out.
Senator SMITH.
Is it built in the same general manner?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Just so.
Senator SMITH.
And of the same material as the lifeboat?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Of the same material, but smaller.
Senator SMITH.
Smaller?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Smaller.
Senator SMITH.
How much smaller?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I could not say how much smaller. I do not know the size.
Senator SMITH.
Give us your best judgment about it.
Mr. BOXHALL.
It is a boat that is built to be swung out all the time, the emergency boat, so that it can be lowered quickly at a moments notice in case anyone falls over the side.
Senator SMITH.
Is it a boat between the size of an ordinary row boat and a lifeboat?
Mr. BOXHALL.
It is considerably larger than an ordinary rowboat.
Senator SMITH.
Yes; I understand that.
Mr. BOXHALL.
It is a good, seaworthy boat.
Senator SMITH.
How many people will one of those boats hold?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I should say about between 25 and 30; probably 30 at the most.
Senator SMITH.
Are these boats equipped in the same manner as the lifeboats?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir; just the same.
Senator SMITH.
And all under the regulations of the British Board of Trade?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
As to inspection and equipment?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Boxhall, these were all the lifeboats and these were the three types on the Titanic?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
When she sailed?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Just so.
Senator SMITH.
How many people will the collapsible boat carry?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I could not say.
Senator SMITH.
About how many?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not know; I would not say; I would not like to form an opinion.
Senator SMITH.
Why is it called collapsible? Can it fold up?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The upper structure of the boat is collapsible.
Senator SMITH.
But the lower part is -
Mr. BOXHALL.
The lower part is the bottom of the boat.
Senator SMITH.
Can you not tell us about how many people those boats will hold?
Mr. BOXHALL.
They seemed to be pretty well packed, those that came alongside of the Carpathia. I did not count the people, but there seemed to be quite a lot of people. I should think they would hold more than one of the emergency boats or about the same number.
Senator SMITH.
Which one of these three type of boats were you in?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The emergency boat.
Senator SMITH.
The emergency boat?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see Officer Murdoch, Officer Lightoller, Officer Lowe, and Officer Pitman aboard the Titanic?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
The day this inspection was made?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Can you state whether they were all present, at that time?
Mr. BOXHALL.
All the officers were on board the ship doing various duties. I can not say whether they were present when these boats were lowered, but they were all there on board.
Senator SMITH.
So far as you know did each perform his particular duty?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
After leaving Southampton until the catastrophe occurred?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know the habits of these men?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Only what I have seen since I joined the ship. I had never seen them before, except Mr. Lightoller.
Senator SMITH.
And what can you say as to their habits?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Good, steady, reliable men.
Senator SMITH.
What about your own habits?
Mr. BOXHALL.
You had better ask some one else.
Senator SMITH.
You must be cognizant of your own habits.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Pardon me?
Senator SMITH.
You may be too modest to describe them, but you know whether you are a temperate man or not.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Are you?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Are you a man of family?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Between Southampton and the place where the Titanic sank were you frequently thrown in contact with your superior officers?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Oh, yes.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see the captain frequently?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Had you sailed with him before?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; never.
Senator SMITH.
Did your duties necessitate your being near his customary place on the ship?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
As a matter of fact, did you render any service at any time from the bridge? Did you have the right to go on the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Oh, yes.
Senator SMITH.
Was it your duty to go there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes; it was my duty. When I was on watch I was always on the bridge - on the bridge or inside of the chart room.
Senator SMITH.
How often did you see the captain between Southampton and the place where the ship sank?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Whenever I was on duty I saw him.
Senator SMITH.
And you were on duty how much of the time?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Every other four hours after we left Southampton.
Senator SMITH.
Every other four hours after you left Southampton?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Every other four hours.
Senator SMITH.
When did you go on duty Sunday?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Eight p. m.
Senator SMITH.
The day of the accident?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Eight p.m.
Senator SMITH.
Where was your station?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I had no particular station.
Senator SMITH.
On the bridge deck?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Upon what deck?
Senator SMITH.
Were you on the bridge deck?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Where was the bridge deck with reference to the boat deck and the A deck and the B deck?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The bridge deck and the boat deck were all one.
Senator SMITH.
All one?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
The boat deck extended forward?
Mr. BOXHALL.
It was all one deck.
Senator SMITH.
It completed the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You say you went on watch, and that was your post Sunday evening at what hour?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Eight p. m.
Senator SMITH.
Eight p. m.?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you were required to remain how long?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Until midnight.
Senator SMITH.
Did you spend all of that time that night at your post, on duty?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Were you on the bridge all that time?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
What proportion of that time?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Most of the time I was on the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
Most of the time?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The greater part of the watch.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know whether the customary officers were at their posts of duty at the forward end of that boat deck?
Mr. BOXHALL.
They were, sir.
Senator SMITH.
During your watch?
Mr. BOXHALL.
They were.
Senator SMITH.
Give their names; if you can; and just what their service consisted of.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Mr. Lightoller was on the bridge when I went up there along with the sixth officer at 8 o'clock - along with sixth officer Moody.
Senator SMITH.
A little louder, please.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Mr. Lightoller was on watch on the bridge when I went on watch at 8 o'clock with sixth officer Moody. Mr. Lightoller was relieved at 10 o'clock by Mr. Murdoch. Mr. Murdoch was on watch until the accident happened.
Senator SMITH.
Who else was forward on that deck or on the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Mr. Moody, the sixth officer.
Senator SMITH.
Where was the crow's nest with reference to the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The crow's-nest was up the foremast.
Senator SMITH.
How far forward of the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I should say about 120 feet.
Senator SMITH.
How high above the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I could not say what height it was, but the plan will give it to you there.
Senator SMITH.
Can you not say approximately?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I would not like to say.
Senator SMITH.
What is the crow's-nest?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The crow's-nest is the lookout box.
Senator SMITH.
How high up on the mast?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I could not say.
Senator SMITH.
Is it a part of the mast?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Who occupied the crow's-nest during your watch Sunday night?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The lookout men.
Senator SMITH.
What is that?
Mr. BOXHALL.
The lookout men.
Senator SMITH.
Who were they?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Fleet and Leigh [Lee] were the lookout men at the time. I can not say who were the lookout men before 10 o'clock.
Senator BURTON.
How do you spell that first name?
Mr. BOXHALL.
F-l-e-e-t.
Senator BOURNE.
How do you spell Leigh?
Mr. BOXHALL.
L-e-i-g-h.
Senator SMITH.
Two men were at the crow's-nest?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see them there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
You could not see them from the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
How do you know they were there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Because they answered the bells from the bridge.
Senator SMITH.
Did they both answer the bells?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
How do you know they both answered?
Mr. BOXHALL.
You could hear them.
Senator SMITH.
How could you distinguish between one answer and the other?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Different voices.
Senator SMITH.
And from that you are satisfied that they were both at their posts?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
Who was on the lookout? Who was on the lookout, if anyone, besides these two men?
Mr. BOXHALL.
On the bridge?
Senator SMITH.
Yes; on the bridge.
Mr. BOXHALL.
The first officer.
Senator SMITH.
Mr. Murdoch?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes; Mr. Murdoch.
Senator SMITH.
Anyone else?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Not that I know of.
Senator BURTON.
I understood you were there.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes. I was not on the lookout, though.
Senator BURTON.
You were not on the lookout there, forward?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I was there if I was called.
Senator SMITH.
One moment. I will get along to that. Was the ordinary complement of officers at their posts of duty-
Mr. BOXHALL.
The ordinary complement of officers?
Senator SMITH. (continuing)
At the forward end of that boat., in the crow's-nest, and on the bridge?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
If this lookout had been increased on that night you would have known it?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I do not know. I am not sure whether they were increased or not.
Senator SMITH.
You say there were two men in the crow's-nest?
Mr. BOXHALL.
There were two men in the crow's-nest; yes.
Senator SMITH.
Do you know of any increased vigilance?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not know. I did not hear of it.
Senator SMITH.
You did not hear of it?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I did not hear of it, but possibly there were extra men on the lookout.
Senator SMITH.
Were these men that were on the lookout the men who performed that service customarily?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
That was their special position?
Mr. BOXHALL.
That was their special position.
Senator SMITH.
Was there anyone up in the eyes, so-called?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not know.
Senator SMITH.
Did you see anyone there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I did not see anyone there.
Senator SMITH.
Where are the eyes?
Mr. BOXHALL.
On the forecastle head.
Senator SMITH.
That is out forward?
Mr. BOXHALL.
As far forward as they can possibly get.
Senator SMITH.
Forward of the bridge, and in the bow?
Mr. BOXHALL.
As far as they can possibly get, sir, forward.
Senator SMITH.
You say that you do not know whether there was anyone in the eyes, so-called?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir; I do not know.
Senator SMITH.
Once more, for the information of my colleague, will you state the location of the eyes on this particular boat?
Mr. BOXHALL.
It is the stemhead, we usually term it. The stemhead is as far forward on board the ship as you can possibly go - the forward extremity of the ship.
Senator SMITH.
It is not in advance of the ship's bow?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
But as far forward as -
Mr. BOXHALL.
As the taffrail will allow you to go, and the deck extends.
Senator SMITH.
Would the occupants of that point on the boat have been visible to you if they had been there that night?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Why?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Because I was not looking for it. I was not looking for them.
Senator SMITH.
Could you have looked ahead and not seen them?
Mr. BOXHALL.
If I had looked ahead I should have seen them.
Senator SMITH.
Do you mean that you did not look ahead?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I did not notice them. I was in the chart room working out positions, most of the evening - working navigation.
Senator SMITH.
Sunday night?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Sunday night.
Senator SMITH.
But you said you were frequently at the bridge that night.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Just so.
Senator SMITH.
During the time that you were at the bridge, or on the forward deck, you did not see anyone -
Mr. BOXHALL.
I did not look to see them.
Senator SMITH. (continuing)
At the eyes? Well, answer my question. I want you to answer in your own way, of course.
Mr. BOXHALL.
Just so.
Senator SMITH.
You did not see anyone there?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
And you did not look to see?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No, sir.
Senator SMITH.
Did you know you were in the vicinity of icebergs that night?
Mr. BOXHALL.
No; I did not know we were in the vicinity of icebergs.
Senator SMITH.
Did not the second or first officer apprise you of the fact that they had information that you were in the vicinity of icebergs?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I knew we had had information. They did not apprise me that evening of it.
Senator SMITH.
When did they apprise you?
Mr. BOXHALL.
As a matter of fact they did not mention it to me.
Senator SMITH.
Had it never been mentioned to you?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Oh, yes; the captain mentioned it.
Senator SMITH.
The captain mentioned it to you?
Mr. BOXHALL.
Yes.
Senator SMITH.
When?
Mr. BOXHALL.
I do not know whether it was the day before or two days before he gave me some positions of icebergs, which I put on the chart.
Senator SMITH.
Which you put on the chart?
Mr. BOXHALL.
On his chart.
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