On the 2nd of May 1912, the British Wreck Commissioners opened an official inquiry into the tragic loss of the Titanic that took place at the Scottish Drill Hall, Buckingham Gate in London. The investigation would last for the next thirty-six days before questions were ceased. Over the weeks that followed ninety-seven witnesses would be called before the notorious Judge, Charles Bingham otherwise known as Lord Mersey. The witnesses comprised mostly of the few crew members that had survived. This varied from stokers to the Managing Director of the White Star line. Each would undergo intense questioning and harrowing scrutiny.
The Scene is Set: The Scottish Drill Hall in London is prepared for the upcoming Titanic Inquiry (Above)
On Day fifteen, six witnesses were called to give evidence. This included the Pantryman, Wilfrid Deable Seward, lookout, George Hogg and, Quartermaster, George Thomas Rowe. However, the testimony from that day that had really caught the press’ and the court’s attention had been that of lookout, Fredrick Fleet. Fredrick Fleet was one of six lookouts onboard Titanic. Fredrick Fleet and fellow lookout, Reginald Lee had been on duty when Titanic struck the iceberg. By this stage, Fleet had already spoken on day four and five of the American inquiry. But on the 29th of May, he was called into question again. Lord Mersey and the Attorney-General, Sir Rufus Isaacs questioned Fredrick Fleet.
The Glasses
From Fleet’s interview, the Attorney-General puts a great stress onto what had happened to the lookout’s glasses. In the case of the inquiry, the glasses referred to the ship’s binoculars. Of course, it would seem a logical idea for all lookouts to undergo an eye-sight test as their job revolves around looking for any dangers or hazards that the ship may encounter. Prior to serving on Titanic Fredrick Fleet had spent the last four years serving on the White Star Line ship, Oceanic. Isaacs acknowledges this and asks if Fleet had his eyes tested by the Board of Trade before working on both the Oceanic and Titanic. Fleet confirmed that he had his eyes tested by the Board of Trade, but his eye-sight certificate had been lost on the Titanic.
Later in the testimony Fleet is questioned by Mr. Scanlan, who appears to be unsatisfied with the explanation about the glasses. Scanlan is permitted to bring the issue up again. Scanlan asked Fleet if the crow’s nest had glasses provided. Fleet confirms that “Every trip.” That he had taken with the Oceanic there had never been an occasion where the glasses had been absent. Fleet accepted that there should have been a pair of glasses on the Titanic. But according to Fleet, they were missing. Lord Mersey asked, “Did you know at the time you went into the crow’s nest… that there were no glasses in the box or bag?” Fredrick explains that he had the pair of glasses on the trip over from Belfast. He even describes that they had been marked with the words: “Second Officer.” And “S.S Titanic.” But somehow the glasses had been “Taken” when the ship docked in Southampton. Surely, if the glasses had gone missing in Southampton Fredrick could have informed someone. It is important to note that Fleet did state that fellow lookout, George Symons had reported the missing glasses to second-officer Charles Lightoller. But the issue seemed to go no further.
Since then, it has been clarified that Titanic did indeed have a spare pair of glasses on board. The glasses were in a cupboard in crew’s quarters. However, the keys to this cupboard could be found in the pocket of David Blair. Blair had originally been appointed as Titanic’s Second Officer, but a last-minute re-shuffle of the senior officers in Southampton led Blair being transferred to the Olympic. Blair had made the trip over on the Titanic from Belfast. When he was appointed elsewhere, Blair seemed to have forgotten that he had the keys to the crow’s nest glasses and so the cupboard remained locked.
Fredrick Fleet did say that he had been told that there were no more glasses available on the ship for the lookouts. Fleet’s claim is supported by fellow lookout George Hogg, who spoke on the same day. Hogg also had said that the lookouts were told that there had been no spare pairs around. Second Officer, Charles Lightoller had testified that there were five extra pairs of glasses located around the ship. Scanlan informed Fleet that if he would have reported the issue to the White Star Line or the Board of Trade, Fleet would not have been in trouble for losing the glasses. Had Fleet alerted anymore of the crew members, regarding the glasses, the eventual outcome of the evening could perhaps have been lessened. Fleet even accepts that had they had the appropriate eye-wear, the iceberg could have been spotted sooner.
The Haze on the Horizon
Throughout the entire investigation, any crew members who had been anywhere remotely near the Boat-deck, crow’s nest or the bridge were asked about the approach to the iceberg. It was vital that Fleet was quizzed about the iceberg as he discretely acknowledges that he had seen it first. Fredrick Fleet provides an interesting insight into the weather conditions on the evening of April 14th. He refers to seeing a “Haze.” The Attorney-General asked Fleet, “Did you say anything to your mate about it?” to which Fleet responded “Well, I told him there was a slight haze coming.” The ‘mate’ that Isaacs is referring to is lookout, Reginald Lee who had been on the same watch with Fredrick. When asked about this haze, Fleet told the Attorney-General that it had not been too difficult to see through.
However, Isaacs recalls the earlier testimony of Reginald Lee and quotes to Fleet what Reginald had said about the haze. The Attorney-General quotes, “My mate" - that is you - "happened to pass the remark to me. He said, 'Well if we can see through that we will be lucky.” Fleet does not take this comment well and accuses Reginald Lee of making it up. Fleet responded “Well, I never said that.”
Before the questions are temporarily ceased, Lord Mersey summarises Fleet’s answers as “Quite inconsistent.” And describes Fleet as “trying to make an excuse for not seeing the iceberg.” As his answers did not match that of Reginald Lee.
Fleet’s Response
Fredrick Fleet did not take too kindly to his answers being called inconsistent. Fleet’s attitude starts to change, he begins giving short and snappy answers. When asked if Fleet was providing accurate evidence, Fleet responded with “I know what I’m talking about.” And later when the matter of lifeboats is brought up. Fleet states “I am not making any mistakes at all.” Both Lord Mersey and Isaacs acknowledge this, and Lord Mersey tries to re-assure Fleet that no one “Intends to annoy.” This supported by Isaacs who assures Fredrick that nobody is going to “Cast imputation.”
The Escape from Titanic
Fredrick Fleet was saved on lifeboat number six. Second-Officer, Charles Lightoller had drafted Fredrick onto the boat with Quartermaster, Robert Hitchens. Like his statement regarding the ‘haze’. Fleet’s testimony clashes with Robert Hitchens’. When asked how many women had entered the lifeboat, Fleet said there had been “23-24.” He then corrected his answer to a figure between “28-29.” His logic concluded that there had been at a maximum, twenty-four women and four men. The four men consisted of a first-class passenger, this was likely Major Peuchen and a third-class man.
Unfortunately, Fleet’s description of lifeboat six did not match with Robert Hitchens’. When Hitchens was asked the same question, he reasoned that there had been a total of forty-two passengers. Forty had been women and the two men comprised of himself and Fredrick Fleet. Rightly so, this evidence confused everybody as it is a large jump between twenty-four to forty-two. It is generally accepted that in this case, Fleet had been telling the truth. The third-class passenger had been dubbed as a ‘stowaway.’ Which would make sense as Fleet counted four men, two passengers and two crew members. The reasons for Hitchens’ counting remain a mystery it could be theorised that he had mixed up the numbers. As after the sinking many passengers from lifeboat six were transferred to another lifeboat. Hitchens had potentially forgotten how many people entered the lifeboats directly from the deck of Titanic.
You Seem to Distrust us All.
Fleet’s testimony was concluded after being examined by various members of the Wreck Commission such as, Lord Mersey, Attorney-General; Sir Rufus Isaacs, Mr. Scanlan and Mr. Harrison. Fleet made a final, slightly angry, comment and asked, “Is there anymore likes to have a go at me?” Lord Mersey concluded “You have given your evidence very well, although you seem to distrust us all.”
As always, I’ll leave a few external links about Fredrick Fleet’s testimony before the British Wreck Commissioners. Please feel free to ask any questions and let me know what you think!
Have a ‘titanic’ week,
Millie
Evidence and Bibliography
Day Fifteen of the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry: (Titanic Inquiry Project) >https://www.titanicinquiry.org/BOTInq/BOTInq15Header.php< , Lines: 17224,17228,17248,17257,17263,17271,17322,17328,17344,17378,17382,17406 and 17480. *Occasional questions from Mr. Scanlan, comments from Lord Mersey and Attorney-General, have never been officially numbered as questions in the Inquiry, this mostly applies to discussion about Fleet’s attitude and eye-sight.*
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