R. LIDDELL,
examination resumed.
By Mr. Haight:
2591. Did you, Mr. Liddell, notice the times at which you received orders to stop and go astern?
- I cannot say.
2592. Was there anybody who logged those bells which you received?
- Yes.
2593. Who?
- Mr. White.
2594. You did not look at the clock?
- No.
2595. You heard the testimony given by Mr. Brennan as to the gradual opening of his throttle after you left Father Point, and so forth?
- Yes.
2596. Did you manoeuvre the starboard engine practically in the same way as he did the port?
- Exactly the same.
2597. I have here a transverse plan of the bulkheads starting with No. 1 immediately after the collision bulkhead and going down the steamer. Is that correct?
- Yes.
2598. Through which of these bulkheads was the door open where the water was entering - where the water came in from the stokehole?
- Where your finger is - the fourth one along; that is the door. (Referring to plan in the hands of Mr. Haight).
2599. That is the bow?
- Oh, that is the bow of the ship?
(At this point the plan was placed before the witness.)
By Lord Mersey:
2600. What is the number of the bulkhead?
- No. 90 door.
2601. Do you know what the number of the bulkhead is?
- I cannot tell you the number of the bulkhead.
2602. What are the bulkheads numbered on that plan?
- No. 6.
Mr. Aspinall:
That is right.
By Mr. Haight:
2603. You were standing aft of No. 6 bulkhead?
- Yes.
2604. You have no knowledge as to how far forward of No. 6 the hole was in the starboard side of your ship?
- None whatever.
By Chief Justice McLeod:
2605. It was forward of No. 6?
- Yes.
By Mr. Haight:
2606. You closed the water-tight door as soon as you saw water coming in?
- I did not close it.
2607. Was it closed?
- Yes.
2608. Was it before or after the fireman had come out of the stokehole?
- It was after one of two firemen had come out of the stokehole or the engine room. The remainder, as far as I know, went up the ladder.
2609. When you closed the watertight door did it effectively keep the water out?
- Yes.
2610. When you left the engine room was it dry?
- When I left the engine room where I was standing was perfectly dry.
By Lord Mersey:
2611. What had become of the water which came through the door before it was closed?
- It went over to the starboard side of the ship. I was standing in the centre of the ship.
By Mr. Haight:
2612. You were working the starboard engine?
- Yes.
2613. Which was the door you closed, the starboard or the port door?
- There is only one No. 90 door to my knowledge.
2614. Is that on the starboard side or the port side -
- It is in the centre.
2615. You spoke about the water rising like that and you made a gesture?
- Yes.
2616. Where did the water rise as rapidly as that?
- In the stokehole; it came rushing through the door.
2617. How long had you been on the Empress of Ireland?
- Five years and eight months.
2618. Always in the engine room?
- No.
2619. Started as a fireman?
- I started in the engine room and I have been in the stokehole as well.
2620. What is the system of your steering gear on the Empress of Ireland?
- Yes.
2621. Have you ever happened to overhaul it?
- Yes.
2622. How often?
- For eighteen months I was on the steering gear alone.
2623. You mean working steadily on the steering gear -
- In charge of the steering gear.
2624. How often did you actually overhaul it and work on it?
- I used to go around every time in port and see that everything was correct.
2625. What is the system?
- There is one engineer -
2626. I mean what is the system of gear?
- The telemotor.
2627. What is the telemotor gear?
- It would take a long time to explain that.
2628. Can you outline it in a couple of minutes?
- No.
Lord Mersey:
Don’t try.
By Mr. Haight:
2629. It differs from the ordinary steam gear in that you have a cylinder filled with glycerine and when you turn the wheel the glycerine is forced from one end of the cylinder to the other?
- Glycerine and water.
2630. And the glycerine works on the piston rods?
- Yes.
2631. During the time you were in charge of the steering gear, did it at any time give you trouble?
Lord Mersey:
At what time was he in charge of it?
By Mr. Haight:
2632. When was the period of eighteen months that you were in charge of the steering gear?
- It dates back eight months from now. Previous to the present day I was in charge of the steering gear.
By Lord Mersey:
2633. For the eight months preceding the catastrophe you were not in charge of the steering gear?
- No.
2634. Who was?
- W. O’Donovan.
2635. Chief Justice McLeod: You were in charge eight months previous to that?
- Yes.
By Lord Mersey:
2636. There had been a great many changes from the time you gave up charge of the steering gear to the date of the catastrophe?
- Yes.
By Mr. Haight:
2637. Did Mr. O’Donovan survive?
- Yes.
2638. Did you personally do any work at all on the steering gear during the eight months preceding the catastrophe?
- Yes.
2639. How long before the collision did you work on the steering gear?
- We are always doing something at any part of the ship.
2640. What was the last time you worked on the steering gear before this collision? Was it the night of the collision?
- I beg your pardon.
2641. What was the time that you worked upon this steering gear last immediately before the collision?
- It is eight months ago.
2642. I understood you to say that during the eight months preceding the collision you had personally done some work on the steering gear although not in charge?
- No, I have done no work.
2643. Then you had never touched the gear at all during the eight months?
- I was in charge of the steering gear for 18 months I said, but eight months previous to the collision.
2644. And during the eight months previous to the collision you never touched the steering gear at all?
- No.
2645. Do you know whether there actually was some work done on the steering gear immediately after the Empress arrived at Quebec on her inward voyage before she started out on this particular voyage?
- I do not know.
2646. Do you know whether the steering gear was overhauled?
- I do not know.
2647. Wait until I finish the question. Do you know whether the steering gear was overhauled between the time the Empress left her dock and the time she reached Father Point?
- I do not know.
2648. Have you had any discussion with O’Donovan at all about the steering gear?
- No.
Lord Mersey:
Are you suggesting that the steering gear was not in proper order?
Mr. Haight:
Yes, my Lord.
Lord Mersey:
Why did not you put that question to the Captain?
Mr. Haight:
Because I had not any information at the time the Captain was on the stand.
Lord Mersey:
I suppose this is some information you have got within the last 48 hours?
- Yes.
Mr. Haight:
Yes, my Lord, within the last 12 hours. Mr. Newcombe is advised of the information and has taken steps to call witnesses.
Mr. Newcombe:
I understand that my learned friend proposed to call witnesses in regard to it.
Lord Mersey:
We will see, Mr. Newcombe.
Mr. Newcombe:
I would like to put one or two questions to Mr. Liddell, if I might have a moment?
Lord Mersey:
Very well.
By Mr. Newcombe:
2649. Did you state that you put the engines ahead immediately before the collision?
- I didn’t state that.
2650. Well, do you know anything about that, were they put ahead immediately before the collision?
- The telegraph rang full speed ahead.
2651. And did she go full speed ahead?
- We started it, and the collision occurred.
2652. How long before the collision occurred?
- Well, the engines made, as near as I can estimate, about five or six revolutions.
By Chief Justice McLeod:
2653. Just immediately before the collision?
- Yes.
(Witness retired.)