JAMES D. GOOD,
mechanical engineer,
Sworn.
Examined by Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin:
My Lord, it seemed to us that it might be of assistance to the Court if we could present in as descriptive a form as possible the present condition of the stem of the Storstad. We have tried to do that in two ways: in the first place, by photographs, which have already been handed in, and in the second place, by having a model constructed in such a way as to show both the original position of the stem and its present position. Of course, manifestly all the details of the damage could not be reproduced in this way, but I think we have the main features and I shall call the gentleman who was the maker of the model to establish the accuracy of it.
4491. What is your occupation, Mr. Good?
- Mechanical engineer.
4492. Where were you trained; where did you study?
- McGill University, Montreal.
4493. Did you make measurements last week of the stem of the Storstad?
- I did.
4494. And did you construct the model which is now produced?
- I did.
4495. Will you describe the method which you followed in making your measurements and in building the model?
- I made a series of profiles covering every foot from the deck line to the present water line and reduced those profiles to wood strips, attaching them together so that we could get an accurate representation of the boat. I laid off the proper centre lines to start with and a principal plumb line round the damaged section with offsets to the bent plating. When we put the profiles together we got a very accurate representation of the damaged boat in miniature.
4496. What is the scale of the model?
- One-quarter inch to the foot.
4497. And it shows from the stem back to what point?
- To the collision bulkhead.
4498. What is the wire framework in front of the model? What does that show?
- That indicates the true position of the stem originally, also the deck line before the impact.
4499. And you got that from the builder’s plans?
- From the builder’s plans.
4500. Roughly speaking, about how many measurements did you take as a basis for your model?
- Somewhere about 1,000 measurements.
4501. Were these measurements correctly and accurately made?
- They were all read to the first decimal place of a foot.
4502. Does the model as a matter of fact show with accuracy the present condition of the Storstad’s stem?
- Yes, it does.
4503. Does it indicate anything below the present water line?
- No, it doesn’t.
4504. Do you know what the ship’s draught of water is as she lies now?
- About four feet.
By Lord Mersey:
4505. You say it does not indicate anything below the present water line?
- No, it does not.
Mr. Griffin:
This ship is still in the water; she is not in dry dock and so we have not been able to go below the present water line.
The Witness:
The present water line is somewhere about four feet from the bottom of the boat.
By Lord Mersey:
4506. Four feet from where?
- From the keel line. That is only an approximate measurement.
By Chief Justice McLeod:
4507. The model is as it shows above the water?
- As it shows above the water.
4508. What is this in red?
- What is painted on the vessel, the full load water line.
By Lord Mersey:
4509. The anchor is not shown?
- Both anchors are visible but they are not on the model.
By Mr. Griffin:
4510. As the ship lies now, she has no cargo in her, has she?
- No.
Mr. Griffin:
I should like to have the model marked, my Lord, as the Storstad’a exhibit 10.
(Model marked as Storstad’s Exhibit No. 10).
Lord Mersey:
Have you seen this model, Mr. Aspinall?
Mr. Aspinall:
I have seen it, my Lord, for a minute, perhaps.
Lord Mersey:
Show it to your clients and let us know if they accept it as a fair representation of the present condition of the Storstad's stem.
Mr. Aspinall:
Might Mr. Hillhouse keep it in his possession over night, just to look at it in conjunction with other matters?
Lord Mersey:
Have you any objection, Mr. Haight?
Mr. Haight:
We have, my Lord, a naval architect, who, I assume, will arrive here late this evening, to whom I should like to submit it during the evening; perhaps Mr. Hillhouse would have sufficient time between now and eight o’clock.
Lord Mersey:
I have no doubt he would. You can have it again to-night, Mr. Haight, for the purpose for which you want it.
Mr. Griffin:
May the witness leave the city and return to Montreal, where he lives? I understand that he wants to get back?
Lord Mersey:
I have no doubt he does, but if this model is to be examined by Mr. Hillhouse to-night and is to be spoken about to-morrow by your naval architect, it would be better if he remain here until to-morrow.
(Witness retired.)