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Examiner
Do you know where the other officers of the Patna may be?
Jim
The engineer is dead.
Examiner
I know that. I was referring to the others.
Jim
No.
Examiner
They are summoned to appear or forfeit their licenses. Do you know why they might not wish to testify?
Jim
That's obvious, isn't it?
Examiner
This is hot a criminal prosecution.
Jim
Still, it is a disgrace.
Examiner
Then, why are you here? It's embarrassing for you, too, isn't it?
Jim
Yes, but I must see it through.
Examiner
I want you to realize that I am only here to get the truth. I have no vendetta against anyone. I have no preconceptions. This is only a hearing to determine if the officers' licenses should be cancelled. You understand that?
Jim
Yes.
Examiner
I want you to think of me as your friend, not your enemy. May I call you by your first name?
Jim
I don't object.
Examiner
Jim, is it? Were you the first mate, Jim?
Jim
No, I was the second mate.
Examiner
Now, will you tell us what happened on the Patna the night of the disaster.
Jim
I was standing third watch. The rest of the crew was asleep or off duty except for the Lascars. We were running smoothly over a calm sea.
Examiner
One moment. There were passengers on your ship?
Jim
Yes.
Examiner
How many?
Jim
Roughly eight hundred Indian Muslims making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Examiner
That was just to set the record straight. Go ahead with your story.
Jim
Well, a short time later, we hit something. Whatever it was, it pealed a good deal of the hull right off, just like the skin off a tangerine.
Examiner
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