Q.—If I call a witness who said it was a heavy gale, and that it was blowing a gale before you got to Cape Schanck, you will contradict him? A.—Yes.
Q.—The ship never was in any danger until her course was changed to the Heads? A.—None whatever.
Q.—Did the danger not commence when within two miles of the Schanck at the time the course was altered so as to head out seaward? A.—No; it was no danger that we would be frightened of.
Q.—Did the ship have the trysail on her when shaping for the Heads? A.—Yes.
Q.—Did she have it on her when the captain tried to bring her head to the wind? A.—No, they took it in.
Q.—Up to about a quarter of an hour after her course was shaped to the Heads, you never apprehended any danger? A.—I can’t swear to a few minutes.
Q.—Had you ever faced such weather as this before? A.—Not in the Alert.
Q.—Had you in any ship? A.—Yes, in the Despatch on the coast.
Q.—That is the only ship you saw such heavy weather in? A.—I have been in dozens. I have been in the Despatch in far heavier weather.
Q.—Up to the time the ship was headed out to sea, was there any water in the saloon at all? A.—No, not a drop.