VII. Finding of the Court.
Reading edition
It is now convenient to answer the 26 questions submitted by the board of trade.
1. When the Titanic left Queenstown on or about April 11 last: (a) What was the total number of persons employed in any capacity on board her, and what were their respective ratings? (b) What was the total number of her passengers, distinguishing sexes and classes, and discriminating between adults and children?
Answer. (a) The total number of persons employed in any capacity on board the Titanic was 885.
The respective ratings of these persons were as follows:
Deck department66
Engine department325
Victualing department 494
885
N. B.—The eight bandsmen are not included in this number, as their names appear in the second class passenger list.
(b) The total number of passengers was 1,316. Of these:
Male. Female. Total.
First class 180145325
Second class 179106285
Third class 510196706
1,316
Of the above, 6 children were in the first class, 24 in the second class and 79 in the third class. Total, 109.
2. Before leaving Queenstown on or about April 11 last did the Titanic comply with the requirements of the merchant shipping acts, 1894-1906, and the rules and regulations made thereunder with regard to the safety and otherwise of "passenger steamers" and "emigrant ships?"
Answer. Yes.
3. In the actual design and construction of the Titanic what special provisions were made for the safety of the vessel and the lives of those on board in the event of collisions and other casualties?
Answer. These have been already described.
4. (a) Was the Titanic sufficiently and efficiently officered and manned? (b) Were the watches of the officers and crew usual and proper? (c) Was the Titanic supplied with proper charts?
Answer. (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes.
5. (a) What was the number of the boats of any kind on board the Titanic? (b) Were the arrangements for manning and launching the boats on board the Titanic in case of emergency proper and sufficient? (c) Had a boat drill been held on board, and if so, when? (d) What was the carrying capacity of the respective boats?
Answer. (a) 2 Emergency boats, 14 lifeboats, 4 Engelhardt boats. (b) No, but see page 38. (c) No. (d) The carrying capacity of the 2 emergency boats was for 80 persons; 14 lifeboats was for 910 persons; 4 Engelhardt boats was for 188 persons; or a total of 1,178 persons.
6. (a) What installations for receiving and transmitting messages by wireless telegraphy were on board the Titanic? (b) How many operators were employed on working such installations? (c) Were the installations in good and effective working order, and were the number of operators sufficient to enable messages to be received and transmitted continuously by day and night?
Answer. (a) A Marconi 5-kilowatt motor generator with two complete sets of apparatus supplied from the ship's dynamos, with an independent storage battery and coil for emergency, was fitted in a house on the boat deck. (b) Two. (c) Yes.
7. (a) At or prior to the sailing of the Titanic what, if any, instructions as to navigation were given to the master or known by him to apply to her voyage? (b) Were such instructions, if any, safe, proper, and adequate, having regard to the time of year and dangers likely to be encountered during the voyage?
Answer. (a) No special instructions were given, but he had general instructions contained in the book of Rules and Regulations supplied by the company. (See p. 24.) (b) Yes, but having regard to subsequent events they would have been better if a reference had been made to the course to be adopted in the event of reaching the region of ice.
8. (a) What was in fact the track taken by the Titanic in crossing the Atlantic Ocean? (b) Did she keep to the track usually followed by liners on voyages from the United Kingdom to New York in the month of April? (c) Are such tracks safe tracks at that time of the year? (d) Had the master any, and if so, what discretion as regards the track to be taken?
Answer. (a) The outward southern track from Queenstown to New York, usually followed in April by large steam vessels. (See page 24.) (b) Yes, with the exception that instead of altering her course on approaching the position 42° N. 47° W., she stood on on her previous course for some 10 miles farther southwest, turning to S. 86° W. true at 5.50 p.m. (c) The outward and homeward bound southern tracks were decided on as the outcome of many years' experience of the normal movement of ice. They were reasonably safe tracks for the time of year, provided, of course, that great caution and vigilance when crossing the ice region were observed. (d) Yes. Capt. Smith was not fettered by any orders to remain on the track should information as to the position of ice make it, in his opinion, undesirable to adhere to it. The fact, however, of lane routes having been laid down for the common safety of all would necessarily influence him to keep on (or very near) the accepted route, unless circumstances as indicated above should induce him to deviate largely from it.
9. (a) After leaving Queenstown on or about the 11th April last, did information reach the Titanic by wireless messages or otherwise by signals of the existence of ice in certain latitudes? (b) If so, what were such messages or signals and when were they received, and in what position or positions was the ice reported to be, and was the ice reported in or near the track actually being followed by the Titanic? (c) Was her course altered in consequence of receiving such information, and, if so, in what way? (d) What replies to such messages or signals did the Titanic send, and at what times?
Answer. (a) Yes. (b) See particulars of ice messages already set out (pp. 26-28). (c) No; her course was altered as hereinbefore described, but not in consequence of the information received as to ice. (d) The material answers were—
At 12.55 p.m. steamship Titanic:
To COMMANDER, Baltic.
Thanks for your message and good wishes. Had fine weather since leaving.
SMITH.
At 1.26 p.m. steamship Titanic:
To CAPTAIN, Caronia.
Thanks for message and information. Have had variable weather throughout.
SMITH.
10. (a) If at the times referred to in the last preceding question or later the Titanic was warned of or had reason to suppose she would encounter ice, at what time might she have reasonably expected to encounter it? (b) Was a good and proper lookout for ice kept on board? (c) Were any, and, if so, what, directions given to vary the speed—if so, were they carried out?
Answer. (a) At, or even before, 9.30 p.m. ship's time, on the night of the disaster. (b) No. The men in the crow's nest were warned at 9.30 p.m. to keep a sharp lookout for ice; the officer of the watch was then aware that he had reached the reported ice region, and so also was the officer who relieved him at 10 p.m. Without implying that those actually on duty were not keeping a good lookout, in view of the night being moonless, there being no wind and perhaps very little swell, and especially in view of the high speed at which the vessel was running, it is not considered that the lookout was sufficient. An extra lookout should, under the circumstances, have been placed at the stemhead, and a sharp lookout should have been kept from both sides of the bridge by an officer. (c) No directions were given to reduce speed.
11. (a) Were binoculars provided for and used by the lookout men? (b) Is the use of them necessary or usual in such circumstances? (c) Had the Titanic the means of throwing searchlights around her? (d) If so, did she make use of them to discover ice? (e) Should searchlights have been provided and used?
Answer. (a) No. (b) No. (c) No. (d) No. (e) No; but searchlights may at times be of service. The evidence before the court does not allow of a more precise answer.
12. (a) What other precautions were taken by the Titanic in anticipation of meeting ice? (b) Were they such as are usually adopted by vessels being navigated in waters where ice may be expected to be encountered?
Answer. (a) Special orders were given to the men in the crow's nest to keep a sharp lookout for ice, particularly small ice and growlers. The fore-scuttle hatch was closed to keep everything dark before the bridge. (b) Yes; though there is evidence to show that some masters would have placed a lookout at the stemhead of the ship.
13. (a) Was ice seen and reported by anybody on board the Titanic before the casualty occurred? (b) If so, what measures were taken by the officer on watch to avoid it? (c) Were they proper measures and were they promptly taken?
Answer. (a) Yes; immediately before the collision. (b) The helm was put hard astarboard and the engines were stopped and put full speed astern. (c) Yes.
14. (a) What was the speed of the Titanic shortly before and at the moment of the casualty? (b) Was such speed excessive under the circumstances?
Answer. (a) About 22 knots. (b) Yes.
15. (a) What was the nature of the casualty which happened to the Titanic at or about 11.45 p.m. on April 14 last? (b) In what latitude and longitude did the casualty occur?
Answer. (a) A collision with an iceberg which pierced the starboard side of the vessel in several places below the water line between the forepeak tank and No. 4 boiler room. (b) In latitude 41° 46´ N., longitude 50° 14´ W.
16. (a) What steps were taken immediately on the happening of the casualty? (b) How long after the casualty was its seriousness realized by those in charge of the vessel (c) What steps were then taken? (d) What endeavors were made to save the lives of those on board, and to prevent the vessel from sinking?
Answer. (a) The 12 water-tight doors in the engine and boiler rooms were closed from the bridge, some of the boiler fires were drawn, and the bilge pumps abaft No. 6 boiler room were started. (b) About 15 to 20 minutes. (c) and (d) The boats were ordered to be cleared away. The passengers were roused and orders given to get them on deck, and life belts were served out. Some of the water-tight doors, other than those in the boiler and engine rooms, were closed. Marconigrams were sent out asking for help. Distress signals (rockets) were fired, and attempts were made to call up by Morse a ship whose lights were seen. Eighteen of the boats were swung out and lowered, and the remaining two floated off the ship and were subsequently utilized as rafts.
17. Was proper discipline maintained on board after the casualty occurred?
Answer. Yes.
18. (a) What messages for assistance were sent by the Titanic after the casualty, and at what times respectively? (b) What messages were received by her in response, and at what times respectively? (c) By what vessels were the messages that were sent by the Titanic received, and from what vessels did she receive answers? (d) What vessels other than the Titanic sent or received messages at or shortly after the casualty in connection with such casualty? (e) What were the vessels that sent or received such messages? (f) Were any vessels prevented from going to the assistance of the Titanic or her boats owing to messages received from the Titanic or owing to any erroneous messages being sent or received? (g) In regard to such erroneous messages, from what vessels were they sent and by what vessels were they received, and at what times respectively?
(a) (b) (c) (d) and (e) are answered together. (f) Several vessels did not go, owing to their distance. (g) There were no erroneous messages.
New York time. Titanic time (approximated).Communications.
10.25 p. m. 12.15. a. m. La Provence receives Titanic distress signals.
Dodo Mount Temple heard Titanic sending CQD. Says require assistance. Gives position. Can not hear me. Advise my captain his position 41.46 N., 50.24 W.
Dodo Cape Race hears Titanic giving position on CQD. 41.44 N., 50.24 W.
10.28 p. m.12.18. a. m. Ypiranga hears CQD. from Titanic. Titanic gives CQD. here. Position 41.44 N., 50.24 W. Require assistance (calls about 10 times).
10.35 p. m.12.25. a. m. CQD. call received from Titanic by Carpathia. Titanic said, "Come at once. We have struck a berg. It's a CQD. OM. Position 41.46 N., 50.14 W."
Dodo Cape Race hears M. G. Y. (Titanic) give corrected position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Calling him; no answer.
10.36 p. m.12.25. a. m. M. G. Y. (Titanic) says CQD. Here corrected position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Require immediate assistance. We have collision with iceberg. Sinking. Can nothing hear for noise of steam. Sent about 15 to 20 times to Ypiranga.
10.37 p. m.12.27. a. m. Titanic sends following: "I require assistance immediately. Struck by iceberg in 41.46 N., 50.14 W."
10.40 p. m.12.30. a. m. Titanic gives his position to Frankfurt, and says, "Tell your captain to come to our help. We are on the ice."
Dodo Caronia sent CQ message to M. B. C. (Baltic) and CQD: M. G. Y. (Titanic) struck iceberg, require immediate assistance.
Do Mount Temple hears M. G. Y. (Titanic) still calling CQD. Our captain reverses ship. We are about 50 miles off.
10.46 p. m.12.36. a. m. D. K. F. (Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm) calls M. G. Y. (Titanic) and gives position at 12 a. m. 39.47 N., 50.10 W. M. G. Y. (Titanic) says, "Are you coming to our?" D. F. T. (Frankfurt) says, "What is the matter with u?" M. G. Y. (Titanic) "We have collision with iceberg. Sinking. Please tell captain to come." D. F. T. (Frankfurt) says, "O. K. will tell."
10.48 p. m.12.38. a. m. Mount Temple hears Frankfurt give M. G. Y. (Titanic) his position, 39.47 N., 52.10 W.
10.55 p. m.12.45. a. m. Titanic calls Olympic SOS.
11 p. m. 12.50. a. m. Titanic calls CQD. and says, "I require immediate assistance. Position 41.46 N., 50.14 W." Received by Celtic.
11.03 p. m.12.53. a. m. Caronia to M. B. C. (Baltic) and SOS., M. G. Y. (Titanic) CQD. in 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Wants immediate assistance."
11.10 p. m. 1 a. m. M. G. Y. gives distress signal. D. D. C. replies. M. G. Y.'s position 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Assistance from D. D. C. not necessary, as M. K. C. shortly afterwards answers distress call.
Do.do. Titanic replies to Olympic, and gives his position as 41.46 N., 50.14 W., and says, "We have struck an iceberg."
11.12 p. m.1.02. a. m. Titanic calls Asian and said, "Want immediate assistance." Asian answered at once and received Titanic's position as 41.46 N., 50.14 W., which he immediately takes to the bridge. Captain instructs operator to have Titanic's position repeated.
Do.do. Virginian calls Titanic, but gets no response. Cape Race tells Virginian to report to his captain the Titanic has struck iceberg and requires immediate assistance.
11.20 p. m.1.10. a. m. Titanic to M. K. C. (Olympic), "We are in collision with berg. Sinking head down; 41.46 N., 50.14 W. Come soon as possible."
Do.do. Titanic to M. K. C. (Olympic), captain says, "Get your boats ready. What is your position?"
11.25 p. m.1.15. a. m. Baltic to Caronia, "Please tell Titanic we are making toward her."
11.30 p. m.1.20. a. m. Virginian hears M. C. E. (Cape Race) inform M. G. Y. (Titanic) "that we are going to his assistance. Our position 170 miles north of Titanic."
11.35 p. m.1.25. a. m. Caronia tells Titanic, "Baltic coming to your assistance."
Do.do. Olympic sends position to Titanic 4.24 a. m. GMT. 40.52 N., 61.18 W. "Are you steering southerly to meet us?" Titanic replies, "We are putting the women off in the boats."
Do.do. Titanic and Olympic work together.
11.37 p. m.1.27. a. m. M. G. Y. (Titanic) says, "We are putting the women off in the boats."
11.40 p. m.1.30. a. m. Titanic tells Olympic, "We are putting passengers off in small boats."
11.45 p. m.1.35. a. m. Olympic asks Titanic what weather he had. Titanic replies, "Clear and calm."
Do.do. Baltic hears Titanic say "Engine room getting flooded."
Do.do. Mount Temple hears DFT. (Frankfurt) ask "Are there any boats around you already." No reply.
11.47 p. m.1.37. a. m. Baltic tells Titanic, "We are rushing to you."
11.50 p. m.1.40. a. m. Olympic to Titanic, "Am lighting up all possible boilers as fast as can."
Do.do. Cape Race says to Virginian: "Please tell your captain this: 'The Olympic is making all speed for Titanic, but his (Olympic's) position is 40.32 N., 61.18 W. You are much nearer to Titanic. The Titanic is already putting women off in the boats, and he says the weather there is calm and clear.' The Olympic is the only ship we have heard say, 'Going to the assistance of the Titanic. The others must be a long way from the Titanic.'"
11.55 p. m.1.45. a. m. Last signals heard from Titanic by Carpathia, "Engine-room full up to boilers."
Do.do. Mount Temple hears DFT. (Frankfurt) calling MGY. (Titanic). No reply.
11.57 p. m.1.47. a. m. Caronia hears MGY. (Titanic), though signals unreadable still.
11.58 p. m.1.48. a. m. Asian heard Titanic call SOS. Asian answers Titanic but receives no answer.
Midnight. 1.50. a. m. Caronia hears Frankfurt working to Titanic. Frankfurt according to position 172 miles from MGY. (Titanic) at time first SOS. sent out.
12.05 a. m.1.55. a. m. Cape Race says to Virginian "We have not heard Titanic for about half an hour. His power may be gone."
12.10 a. m.2 a. m. Virginian hears Titanic calling very faintly, his power being very greatly reduced.
12.20 a. m.2.10. a. m. Virginian hears 2 v's signaled faintly in spark similar to Titanic's, probably adjusting spark.
12.27 a. m.2.17. a. m. Virginian hears Titanic call CQ, but unable to read him. Titanic's signals end very abruptly, as power suddenly switched off. His spark rather blurred or ragged. Called MGY. (Titanic) and suggested he should try emergency set, but heard no response.
12.30 a. m.2.20. a. m. Olympic, his sigs. strong, asked him if he had heard anything about MGY. (Titanic). He says, "No. Keeping strict watch, but hear nothing more from MGY. (Titanic)." No reply from him.
12.52 a. m. This was the official time the Titanic foundered 41.46 N., 50.14 W., as given by the Carpathia in message to the Olympic; about 2.20 a. m.
1.15 a. m. Virginian exchanges signals Baltic. He tries send us MSG. for MGY. (Titanic), but his signals died utterly away.
1.25 a. m. Mount Temple hears MPA. (Carpathia) send, "If you are there we are firing rockets."
1.35 a. m. Baltic sent 1 MSG, to Virginian for Titanic.
1.40 a. m. MPA. (Carpathia) calling MGY. (Titanic).
1.58 a. m. SBA. (Birma) thinks he hears Titanic so sends, "Steaming full speed for you. Shall arrive you 6 in morning. Hope you are safe. We are only 50 miles now."
2 a. m. MPA. (Carpathia) calling MGY. (Titanic).
Do. Have not heard Titanic since 11.50 p. m. Received from Ypiranga.
2.28 a. m. La Provence to Celtic, "Nobody has heard the Titanic for about 2 hours."
3.24 a. m. SBA. (Birma) says we are 30 miles S. W. off Titanic.
3.36 a. m. Celtic sends message to Caronia for the Titanic. Caronia after trying for two hours to get through to the Titanic tells the Celtic impossible to clear his message to Titanic. Celtic then cancels message.
3.45 a. m. Californian exchanges signals with MLQ. (Mount Temple). He gave position of Titanic.
4.10 a. m. Californian receives MSG. from MGN. (Virginian).
5.5 a. m. Baltic signals MPA. (Carpathia).
5.40 a. m. Parisian hears weak signals from MPA. (Carpathia) or some station saying Titanic struck iceberg. Carpathia has passengers from lifeboats.
Do. Olympic Tr Asian, with German oil tank in tow for Halifax asked what news of MGY. (Titanic). Sends service later saying heard MGY. (Titanic) v. faint wkg. C. Race up to 10 p. m., local time. Finished calling SOS. midnight.
6.5 a. m. Parisian exchanges TRs Virginian O. K. nil. Informed Capt. Haines what I heard passing between ships regarding Titanic, and he decided not to return as M. P. A. (Carpathia) was there, and Californian was 50 miles astern of us, but requested me to stand by in case required.
6.45 a. m. Mount Temple hears M. P. A. (Carpathia) report rescued 20 boat loads.
7.7 a. m. Baltic sends following to Carpathia: "Can I be of any assistance to you as regards taking some of the passengers from you? Will be in position about 4.30. Let me know if you alter your position."
7.10 a. m. Baltic in communication with M. P. A. (Carpathia). Exchanged traffic re passengers, and get instructions to proceed to Liverpool.
7.15 a. m. Baltic turns round for Liverpool, having steamed 134 miles W. toward Titanic.
7.40 a. m. Mount Temple hears M. P. A. (Carpathia) call CQ. and say, "No need to std. bi him. Advise my captain, who has been cruising round the icefield with no result. Ship reversed."
7.45 a. m. Olympic sent M. S. G. to owners, New York via Sable Island, saying "Have not communicated with Titanic since midnight."
7.55 a. m. Carpathia replies to Baltic, "Am proceeding to Halifax or New York full speed. You had better proceed to Liverpool. Have about 800 passengers on board."
8 a. m. Carpathia to Virginian: "We are leaving here with all on board about 800 passengers. Please return to your northern course."
19. (a) Was the apparatus for lowering the boats on the Titanic at the time of the casualty in good working order? (b) Were the boats swung out, filled, lowered, or otherwise put into the water and got away under proper superintendence? (c) Were the boats sent away in seaworthy condition and properly manned, equipped, and provisioned? (d) Did the boats, whether those under davits or otherwise, prove to be efficient and serviceable for the purpose of saving life?
Answer. (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) The 14 lifeboats, 2 emergency boats, and C and D collapsible boats were sent away in a seaworthy condition, but some of them were possibly undermanned. The evidence on this point was unsatisfactory. The total number of crew taken on board the Carpathia exceeded the number which would be required for manning the boats. The collapsible boats A and B appear to have floated off the ship at the time she foundered. The necessary equipment and provisions for the boats were carried in the ship, but some of the boats, nevertheless, left without having their full equipment in them. (d) Yes.
20. (a) What was the number of (a) passengers, (b) crew taken away in each boat on leaving the vessel? (b) How was this number made up, having regard to (1) sex, (2) class, and (3) rating? (c) How many were children and how many adults? (d) Did each boat carry its full load and, if not, why not?
Answer. (a) (b) (c) It is impossible exactly to say how many persons were carried in each boat or what was their sex, class, and rating, as the totals given in evidence do not correspond with the numbers taken on board the Carpathia. The boats eventually contained in all 712 persons, made up as shown in the answer to question 21. (d) No. At least 8 boats did not carry their full loads for the following reasons: (1) Many people did not realize the danger or care to leave the ship at first. (2) Some boats were ordered to be lowered with an idea of their coming around to the gangway doors to complete loading. (3) The officers were not certain of the strength and capacity of the boats in all cases (and see p. 39).
21. (a) How many persons on board the Titanic at the time of the casualty were ultimately rescued and by what means? (b) How many lost their lives prior to the arrival of the steamship Carpathia in New York? (c) What was the number of passengers, distinguishing between men and women and adults and children of the first, second, and third classes, respectively, who were saved? (d) What was the number of the crew, discriminating their ratings and sex, that were saved? (e) What is the proportion which each of these numbers bears to the corresponding total number on board immediately before the casualty? (f) What reason is there for the disproportion, if any?
Answer. (a) Seven hundred and twelve, rescued by Carpathia from the boats. (b) One. (c) (d) and (e) are answered together.
The following is a list of the saved:
First class:
Adult males57out of 175, or 32.57 per cent.
Adult females140out of 144, or 97.22 per cent.
Male children (all saved)5
Female children (all saved)1
203out of 325, or 62.46 per cent.
Second class:
Adult males14out of 168, or 8.33 per cent.
Adult females80out of 93, or 86.02 per cent.
Male children (all saved)11
Female children (all saved)13
118out of 285, or 41.40 per cent.
Third class:
Adult males75out of 462, or 16.23 per cent.
Adult females76out of 165, or 46.06 per cent.
Male children13out of 48, or 27.08 per cent.
Female children14out of 31, or 45.16 per cent.
178out of 706, or 25.21 per cent.
Total passengers499out of 1,316, or 37.94 per cent.
Crew saved:
Deck department43out of 66, or 65.15 per cent.
Engine-room department72out of 325, or 22.15 per cent.
Victualing department97out of 494, or 19.63 per cent.
Including women20out of 23, or 86.95 per cent.
212out of 885, or 23.95 per cent.
Total on board saved711out of 2,201, or 32.30 per cent.
(f) The disproportion between the numbers of the passengers saved in the first, second, and third classes is due to various causes, among which the difference in the position of their quarters and the fact that many of the third-class passengers were foreigners, are perhaps the most important. Of the Irish emigrants in the third class a large proportion was saved. The disproportion was certainly not due to any discrimination by the officers or crew in assisting the passengers to the boats. The disproportion between the numbers of the passengers and crew saved is due to the fact that the crew, for the most part, all attended to their duties to the last, and until all the boats were gone.
22. What happened to the vessel from the happening of the casualty until she foundered?
Answer. A detailed description has already been given (see pp. 32-34).
23. Where and at what time did the Titanic founder?
Answer. Two twenty a. m. (ship's time) April 15. Latitude 41° 46´ N., longitude 50° 14´ W.
24. (a) What was the cause of the loss of the Titanic and of the loss of life which thereby ensued or occurred? (b) What vessels had the opportunity of rendering assistance to the Titanic and, if any, how was it that assistance did not reach the Titanic before the steamship Carpathia arrived? (c) Was the construction of the vessel and its arrangements such as to make it difficult for any class of passenger or any portion of the crew to take full advantage of any of the existing provisions for safety?
Answer. (a) Collision with an iceberg and the subsequent foundering of the ship. (b) The Californian. She could have reached the Titanic if she had made the attempt when she saw the first rocket. She made no attempt. (c) No.
25. When the Titanic left Queenstown on or about April 11 last was she properly constructed and adequately equipped as a passenger steamer and emigrant ship for the Atlantic service?
Answer. Yes.
26. The court is invited to report upon the rules and regulations made under the merchant shipping acts, 1894-1906, and the administration of those acts and of such rules and regulations, so far as the consideration thereof is material to this casualty, and to make any recommendations or suggestions that it may think fit, having regard to the circumstances of the casualty, with a view to promoting the safety of vessels and persons at sea.
Answer. An account of the board of trade's administration has already been given and certain recommendations are subsequently made.