The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-05-19
.LADYDUFF-GORDON
AFTER SOUVENIRS
Had Crew Write Their Names on
Life Belt as the Titanic
Sank.
BARoNET FAILS TO
CLEAR REPUTATION
Admits His Boat Was Not Full;
Made No Attempt to
Rescue Others.

London. May S-Lady Dur-Gordon
got the crew of her boat to write their
names on her hfe-belt as souvenir Of
the occasion. according to evidence given
at the Titanic inquiry by g. Symons.
one Of the lookouts of the ill-starred
ship. Symons was in charge OF the
three-quarter empty lifeboat No. ]. In
which Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon, Lady
Duff-Gordon and her maid and several
others made their quick escape from the
sinking White Star liner
Many in the fashionable throng at the
inquiry were noticed to SILVER at the re-
cital Of the souvenir incident that had
occurred in the very presence OF the
most terrible marine disaster Of recent
times.
To the Attorney General, symons
stated he had been privately approached
by one Of Duff-Gordon's counsel ana
asked to give evidence favorable TO Sir
Cosmo and Lady Duf-Gordon.
In giving his own testimony Sir Cosmo
said he knew when he followed his vile
into lifeboat No. l that the Titanic was
In grave danger. Then in his evidence
he mentioned that shortly before taking
to the boat he had talked to Col. John
Jacob Astor. "COl. Astor went down
with the ship, did he not?" asked Sir
huIuS lSaACb, Ine AllOInty SShcidAB AOOfN-
ing hard at Dufr-Gordon.
PaIes over Astor'a Fate.
The witness paIed and lowered his eyes,
making no reply. A murmur ran through
the audience.
When Dun in answer to
question, declared that II never occurred
to him when he was in the hfeooat that
the boat ought TO 60 back and rescue
any of those in the water. the Attorney
General flung down his papers with a
contemptuous gesture and took his seat.
Sir Cosmos excuse for entering a life
boat was the same as that given In
America by ]. Bruce Ismay.
There were no people in sight.
The witness said he guessed his life
boat had succeeded in rowing at least
] 200 yards away from the Titanic when
she sank. Then they started rowing
again.
Looking After His wife.
Sir Rufus Isaacs-You heard the cries
of drowning people. There was room in
the boat and II you had returned you
could have saved some.
Sir Cosmos Dunf-Gordon-It is hard to
know what was thinking about at the
time. was looking after my wife.
Il never even heard II suggested In our
boat" continued the witness. that We
should return to the scene of the disas-
ter. did not think II would be possible
to go back there. nor did the idea of re-
turning enter my mind"
Sir Rufus Isaacs-You know now mat
you could have saved many.
Sir Cosmo Gordon-I don't know.
Sir Rufus Isaacs-You had lots Of
room in the boat?
Sir Cosmo Duff- Gordon-Yes.
Duff Gordon had taken the witness
chair jauntily. He presented an up
right figure. q fair and fashionable
looking man. During the examination
he nervously clasped and unclasped
his hands and folded and unfolded his
arms. but kept his head, apparently,
the ordeal
At the close Of the iAguiry Sir Co.'S
mo turned to his wife with a slight
gaping of the mouth that suggested a
forced smile. 1t was the only express
sion OF the kind in sight
Lady Duff Gordon attended the in
CURRY to-day, but did not testify. Her
time is coming