THE TITANIC INQUIRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 5

THE TITANIC INQUIRY

SPEED WAS REDUCED SOUTHERLY COURSE SET TO AVOID THE ICE. Hy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 22. At the Titanic inquiry, Mr Lightoiler, second officer of the ill-fated vessel, continued his evidence. Ho said that at the time she struck the iceberg the Titanic was going at reduced speed, several of the boilers being off. It would have been impracticable to have lowered a boat full ol people. The Titanic had the bes; equipment of any steamer afloat.

The president of the court (Lord Mersey) said it was clear the Titanic was manned far in excess of Board of Trade requirements. Mr Pitman, third officer of the Titanic, testified that he was certain the vessel did not break in two. The course was altered southward some hours before the collision, presumably to avoid the ice.

Counsel incidentally stated that the company estimated that the Titanic was seven miles south of the regular track when the disaster occurred.

Mr Lowe, fifth officer, stated that after lashing four boats together and transferring his passengers he returned towards the Titanic, and rescued four persons. It would have been suicidal to have returned immediately the Titanic sank; the struggling people would have swamped tho boat.

RELIEVING THE INSURANCE POSITION.

(Received May 23, midnight.) LONDON. May 23

Forty out of forty-six boxes of gold that went down with the P. and 0. liner Ooeana after tho latter’s collision with tho barque Pisagua off Beachy Head on March 15th have been recovered. The underwriters will use

largely for meeting losses on the Titanic, and thus greatly easing the situation at Lloyds.