The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-05-17
london Society Hears Res
cued Titanic Fireman Tell
of Cowardly Actions OF
the Two Peers.
WOULD NOT ASSIST
VICTIMS IN OCEAN
Influenced Crew of Their
Half-filled Lifeboat Not to
Return to Succor Drown
ing People.
(National News Association)

National News Association)
LONDON, May 1.-THE govern
mentt Titanic inquiry was made the
occasion for a society gathering today
lin expectation Of sensational devel-
opment relative to the part which Sir
,Cosmo Duff Gordon and his wife Lady
Gordon, played in the great ocean trag-
aedy.
Although neither Sir Cosmo or Lady
duff Gordon was present, being repre-
sented by counsel, the throng of so
tciety lights who thronged Scottish
drill hall were rewarded as the in
tvestfgation turned to this phase of the
edisaster Immediately after the sttings
Fwere resumed.
Charles Hendrickson, a fireman on
;the Titanic, who was on of the crew
which manned lifeboat No. 1, in which
tthe Duff Gordons were passengers and
twho had testified that, despite the fact
that the lifeboat was only partially
from returning to the scene of the dis
faster to pick up men and women who
fwere struggling in the water, was
again called to the stand. Hendrick-
sson had also testified that he as we'll
ias the other seamen manning the boat,
had been rewarded with five-pound
lnote ($25) by Sir Cosmo.
Boat Half Filled.
The fireman swore that, although
This lifeboat was only a few hundred
kyardss away from the spot where the
Titanic plunged to the bottom, the
tseamen were persuaded to row away
from the scene.
Those in the boat could see men and
,women struggling in the water but
Lady Duff Gordon insisted that the
boat would be swamped if they re-
turned to the scene, he said, and she
was seconded in the declaration by
her husband. Steeling their hearts
to the scenes of suffering and cries of
grief behind them the seamen pulled
away with their partially filled life
boat, leaving the victims in the wataer
to sink to their death.
'If we go back, we will be swamp
ed" was the declaration made over
and over by Lady Duff Gordon, ac-
cording to the witness.
This was the first day that the
spectators gallery has been filled.
Among the early arrivals was Mrs. AS
'quith, wife of Premier Asquith. The
spectators included many brilliantly
-gowned women, whose names are
conspicuous in society. They listened
with keenest interest to the testimony,
especially that relating to the Duff
Gordons, and regarded Fireman Hen
erickson curiously through gold
mounted lorgnettes.
Before testimony taking began per-
mission was asked for the Duff Cor.
Nions to be represented by counsel. In
granting the request Lord Mersey, the
presiding judge said that he believed
that it was a reasonable petition be-
cause evidence might be introduced
casting reflections upon Sir Cosmo and
this wife.
The Gordons Enter.
Just before noon a wave of excite
,ment swept over the courtroom when
Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon un-
.expectedly entered. Every eye was
upon them as they made their way
through the crowded aisle to the coun-
sci table where seats were provided
for them. The were just in time to
hear Mr.. Duke ask Hendrickson:
when you received your five
pounds from Sir Cosmo did you be-
lieve everybody on board the boat had
done his duty?"
We'll, to a certain extent" replied
the witness.
"You do?" asked Lord Mersey in
surprise.
mo. l don't believe they did" amen.
,ded Hendricksen.