TITANIC INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 7

TITANIC INQUIRY.

WHOSE WERE THE ROCKETS ?

CALIFORXIAN'S OFFICER'S VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, "ay 15. At the Titanic inquiry, during the examination of Mr. Stewart, chief officer of (lie steamer Californinn, Lord Mersey, President of the. Court, stated that personally he was of opinion that the rockets seen by the Californinn were sent up by the Titanic. Mr. Groves, third officer of the Californian, admitted now that he believed the rockets seen were from the Titanic. THE WIRELESS CALLS. MISSED BY A FEW SECONDS. (Rec. May 16, 10.35 p.m.) London, 16. Mr. Groves, continuing, said that he saw, at 11.10 p.m., a steamer about twelve miles distant, and told the captain. Judging by her deck lights, she was a passenger steamer, and the captain rcmnrked that she was only a passenger steamer. Sho was in the vicinity of the Titanic; this was about 11.10 p.m. Witness still saw her masthead lights, aftTt told < Mr. Stone, the second officer, who relieved him. Owing to her change in position, her deck lights were shut out. Witness then proceeded to the wireless room, and awoko the operator, and asked, "What ship is in touch?" The operator replied, "Only the Titanic." Tho witness put the instruments to his ears, but heard nothing. He was only listening, however, for fifteen or thirty seconds. The Court wa:; thrilled by the evidence, as it showed that the Titanic's calls were missed by a few seconds by a liner that was only twelve miles distant. Lord Mersey asked: "Da you think from what you heard subsequently that the steamer was the Titanic?" Mr. Groves: "Yes! Decidedly." The officers admitted that there were unrecorded distress signals.

The log-book of Durant, the Mount Temple's wireless operator, produced- a record of the messages passing between the Titanic and tho neighbouring vessels, which disposed of the statement that the Titanic snubbed tho Frankfurt. Tho latter immediately went to the Titanic's help. The Titanic's messages were clear till 1.33 a.m., when they ceased. (Rec. May 16, 10.35 p.m.) London, XTay 16. The Oceanic, picked up one of the Titanic's collapsible boats, containing three bodies. It is believed to be the boat from which Mr. Lowe, fifth officer of the Titanic, secured twenty, leaving three dead.