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The Inquest 1916.
"With regard to the passengers there is time and before they are buried I expect that proper names will be given to them, and that they will be properly registered in the ordinary way. The bodies are in the Market Hall – the most convenient place, and I will ask you to visit them and take what evidence we can. I am informed by Captain Irvine of the vessel, has been ordered to be present in London this afternoon so that he could not be here; but the Chief Officer of the vessel and some others were present and they can give some account of what happened. The evidence must necessarily be short but a good deal of time will be taken up in getting the bodies properly identified. Before concluding I wish to express my profound sympathy with the relatives of the unfortunate people who have lost their lives."
B. G. Unwin (1st Saloon Bar Steward) "I have been to the Market
Hall and recognised No.6 George Saunders first saloon deck steward; he was about 46 years of age. No.42 is Herring, a bedroom steward aged 24 years. No.55 is Lucas, a bedroom steward aged between 55-60 years. I went to look for my own friends and recognised these others. The vessel left London on Saturday. I did not see what happened but I got into the water. I do not remember being picked up."
Brigadier-General W. K. McLeod "I was a passenger on board the “Maloja” with my wife. I have seen her body at the Market Hall. Her name was Florence Mary and she was 38 years of age. My wife and I were walking on the deck between ten o’clock and half past, and suddenly I heard an explosion about 10.25. I thought it was a gun at first and it was right aft. I then saw a huge amount of debris being thrown through the air from the explosion. We rushed and got lifebelts and got into a boat on the port side. The vessel remained on an even keel for about five minutes. They tried to lower the boat but could not owing to the list. They lowered the boat next to us but it capsized. The boats were against the side of the vessel. When the boat upset we were told to get out and into the boats on the starboard side. The ship was then listing badly and we could not get into the boats. The vessel was then awash and as we could not get into the boats I pushed my wife into the sea. The waves were breaking over us and knocking us about then. I swam after her and got hold of her and supported her for half an hour or more when we were picked up by a trawler. We both had lifebelts on. The crew of the trawler did all they could to restore my wife, but they could not. She never spoke after going into the water. I think the shock of the cold water killed her. It was very rough water to swim in. We were transferred on to a destroyer and hauled up the pier. There were several other ladies in the boat. The only other body I recognised was that of Dr. W. K.
Miley, who was a first saloon passenger.
A Juryman "Have you any complaint to make about the composition of the crew? Was everything done to save life? – As far as I can say, thier was no confusion. Everyone seemed to be in his place but the falls seemed to jamb because I take it, of the list of the ship. Was each boat under the command of some officer, a white man?"
Brigadier-General W. K. McLeod "That I cannot
say."
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