_Q._—That is not answering my question. How was the glass window protected? _A._—The glass was the protection, and if necessary a piece of canvas could easily have been placed over it. The aperture was about sixteen inches by fourteen inches, and we did not think it was a source of danger, that is why it was not further protected. I was in the service of Huddart, Parker & Co. some years ago. I was second mate, mate and master in various of their vessels. I was appointed to the Marine Board in March, 1890, about five years after leaving Huddart, Parker & Co. I know Captain Webb. He was managing director of Huddart, Parker and Co. up to a short time ago. He is a member of the Marine Board. Mr. Ernest Parker of Huddart, Parker & Co. is also a member of the Marine Board. I never in my life designed a ship. A shipwright surveyor ought to have a knowledge of designing ships. I never had that knowledge. I knew the covers to the _Alert’s_ coal bunkers. They were iron, kept on by their own weight. If necessity demanded it there was no trouble in putting four battens and a piece of canvas over them. When making my declaration I was perfectly satisfied that these bunker lids were quite sufficient held down by their own weight. Re-examined by Mr. Purves: According to the evidence given, the _Alert_ was kept away, and I say that before she was kept away all the places that required covering should have been seen to. Supposing there was a drop of water about the deck, there would have been no difficulty in making everything secure. The lids to the bunker holes would weigh about fifty to sixty pounds each. Re-cross-examined by Mr. Smyth: The bunker lids were about ¾ of an inch in thickness. They might not have weighed more than forty to fifty pounds, and they may have been an inch thick for all I know.