_Q._—How long would it take with a vessel lying over on her beam ends, and heavy seas running, to get your canvas and lash it over? _A._—You are putting almost an impossibility. I cannot imagine the ship getting into that position. It would take ten minutes to get the canvas—supposing the covers were at hand. All these vessels carry covers, but I would not swear that the _Alert_ carried covers. _Q._—Do you say that the bunker lids are always let in by their own weight? _A._—I am not prepared to say positively whether I have seen any screw on like the lid of a four hundred gallon tank. I think some are that way. I am not positive how the _Alert’s_ were. _Q._—Would not a canvas awning that you could take in be better than a wooden awning at sea? _A._—It would be advantageous I think. _Q._—You told us that cleats were unnecessary, as ring bolts would do? _A._—I am informed that there were ring bolts alongside the grating. I did not see them that I can remember. I am not a master mariner. I was not in command of a ship. I am not a seaman, mate, or captain. I am an engineer. CLEMENT ERNEST JARRETT, examined by Mr. Purves, stated: I am manager of the Alliance Marine and General Insurance Coy. I remember the steamer _Alert_. She was insured in my office for £4,000, and valued at £6,000. I have known her ever since she came out. I employ experienced people, and I insured her after survey. I would have insured her for double the amount she was insured for, if required, without hesitation. I knew the vessel personally. I travelled in her outside the Heads, and formed the opinion that she was a very nice little vessel. I am not a seaman. I should not have the slightest hesitation in going out in her. In fact I had serious thoughts of going out in her on the trip on which she was lost. Cross-examined by Mr. Smyth: £6,000 was the owners’ valuation. They valued her specially for insurance, not necessarily that that was her value. I accepted their valuation, and considered it too low. I insured her when she was in the Bay trade. She was insured for the same amount, and never less. She was insured for less before she had the new engines. £3,000, I believe, nothing less. I believe she was always insured.