90 The Frederick Gerring, Jr. 



Q. Assume that there was no wind, would it be impossible 

 for her to drift 100 yards nearer to the shore? A. With the cur- 

 rent running she would not. 



Q. Do you know that the current varies? A. As a rule it 

 runs in a westwardly direction; sometimes it runs a little slack. 



Q. You are assuming that at this time it was running at its 

 strongest? A. Well, it is said that there was a heavy wind the 

 next day. 



FRANCIS HENRY, called and sworn. 



Examined by Mr. MacCoy: 



Q. You are a fisherman? A. Yes. 



Q. How many years have you been engaged in fishing? A. 

 For about 17 or 18 years. I have been master of a fishing vessel 

 for 4 or 5 years. 



Q. Do you know this coast ? A. Yes, I have been up and down 

 it frequently. 



Q. Are you a Nova Scotian? A. Yes. 



Q. Where do you live? A. I live in Halifax. 



Q. When were you last at the place referred to in this suit? 

 A. I cannot say exactly. 



Q. What business are you engaged in now? A. I have been 

 in the wrecking and diving business for 4 or 5 years. 



Q. Do you know the place spoken of in this suit? A. Yes. 



Q. Have you been close there? A. No, not very close; I have 

 been 20 or 30 miles from there. 



Q. Do you know anything about the tides there ? A. Yes, the 

 tides there are about the same as on any other part of the coast be- 

 tween Halifax and Canso. 



Q. What is the trend of the tide? A. It trends west to 

 W. S. W. 



Q. Do you know anything of the rate of the current ? A. Yes, 

 it runs from a half to three-quarters of a mile an hour. 



Q. Is it stronger before an easterly blow? A. Yes, generally. 



Q. Suppose you find a fishing vessel headed off shore with her 

 booms well out on the starboard side, would that indicate which 

 way the wind was? A. Yes, the wind would be to the eastward. 



Q. Do you know which way the vessel would drift with a 



