LOUIS JOHN DALY SCHUTT, examined by Mr. Purves, stated: I am a Victorian sea pilot, and have been one about six years. Prior to that time I was in the employment of Huddart, Parker & Co. as captain and also as mate. I commanded the _Alert_ about four and a half years in the Geelong trade. During that time we had some heavy weather and seas for the Bay. I formed the opinion that she was a good little sea-boat. After I left her the engines were shifted. There was no great difference in her after the alterations. When I was in her there was a window under the break of the poop. The glass in it got broken. It was about a quarter inch thick. I put a new one in three eights of an inch thick. I maintain that it could not possibly be broken by a sea, unless the sea washed something against it. When I had charge of the _Alert_ the gratings were low down, afterwards they were built up to the top of the engine house. I believe the same bunker lids were on the ship when she went down as when I had her. They fastened down with keys, I am positive. Outside the Heads the seas are bigger than in the Bay. If I had the command offered me, I would have taken the _Alert_ to sea. I had not the slightest doubt about her sea-worthiness. Cross-examined by Mr. Smyth: I was in command of the _Alert_ from 1884 to 1889. She was never out at sea while I was in her. I put the glass window in myself. One of the passengers who was the worse for liquor put his foot against the previous one and cracked it. I have had seas on board in the Bay, and the starboard alleyway full, but no water ever went below. In my time the engine room went right back to the front of the poop, and prevented water going from one side of the ship to the other. One of the new improvements made was that this casing was cut away and an after hold put in. _Q._—When the _Alert_ foundered, did the water getting into the saloon take her down stern first? _A._—I say no. Supposing forty tons of water were in the cabin it would be pretty well full. I don’t see that it would take her down, owing to the watertight compartments.