3 May 1912 A court of inquiry set up following the disaster says that it will be thorough and searching

Lord Mersey opened in London yesterday the Court of Inquiry on the loss of the White Star liner Titanic. The course of procedure was discussed, and the Attorney General, for the Board of Trade, submitted to the Court 26 questions which may be supplemented later. He stated that the Court would have at its disposal all the resources of the Government to make the inquiry thorough and searching. The questions submitted raised the following among other points :—

From the archive, 11 April 1912: Editorial: The Titanic sets sail Read more

The adequacy of the manning of the Titanic and of the arrangements for launching boats in an emergency.

The wireless telegraphy arrangements.

The safety of the recognised steamer tracks.

The warnings of ice received by the Titanic and the precautions, if any, taken in consequence.

Whether the speed of the Titanic at the time of the disaster was excessive.

The steps taken to save life and the messages for assistance.

The proportion of lost and saved with respect to class, sex, and age, and the reason for the disproportion, if any.

Suggestions and recommendations for the amendment of the rules and regulations under the Merchant Shipping Acts and of their administration.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest An artist’s impression of Titanic’s Captain, Edward Smith, giving his last orders to the crew of the doomed White Star liner, 1912, by Douglas Macpherson. Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In the House of Commons later in the day many questions were addressed to Ministers concerning the inquiry. The Premier said that the Court formed an independent tribunal, and the Board of Trade had no power to direct them at all. They would send their report formally to the Board of Trade, and they were certainly entitled to find the Board culpable. It was an insult to Lord Mersey to suggest that he would be influenced by the Board of Trade.

With regard to the representation of the interests involved at the inquiry, the Attorney General said it was obvious that all individuals could not be represented, but classes of persons should undoubtedly be represented. Lord Mersey had not assented to certain applications that day, but as soon as he had heard more of the facts and had learned that the applicants were parties interested he would allow them to appear.

Mr. Bruce Ismay sailed from New York for England yesterday on the Adriatic.

In the court

London, Thursday

The most interesting account of the setting and atmosphere of the British inquiry into the loss of the Titanic, which began to-day, would come from someone who could contrast it with the American investigation. Pictures and descriptions of Senator Smith’s Court make it plain that it was a homely, vivid affair, free from legal argumentation, and mainly concerned with bringing out the points of human interest.

It took place in a small, crowded room, the procedure consisting of long and lively dialogues between the pertinacious Mr. Smith and the witnesses. It is clear from the opening morning that senatorial methods will not be encouraged here. The principal feature promises to be restraint, true British restraint, and the inquiry will be conducted throughout on severe legal lines.

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The first sitting was taken up entirely with procedure, and the speeches of counsel were spoken in the curious toneless murmur characteristic of the Courts of Chancery. They were, indeed, nearly inaudible, but that was the fault of the room chosen or the inquiry – the drill hall of the London Scottish in Westminster, a place about as large as a skating rink. So difficult was it to hear that there was soon an agreement between the lawyers and the Commissioner that some more suitable room must be found, and next week the inquiry will probably be transferred to a Committee-room in the House of Commons.

This is an edited version.