I doubt that Herbert Cave’s list was correct. If his grandmother knew where she and her cousin were situated, and testified that, under oath, then it seems unlikely otherwise. She stated clearly that she was on ‘Number 77 on Deck C’ (to correct what the newspapers said about her being on B Deck).
"I went to bed at half-past seven," she said, "and my cousin, Miss Gladys Cherry, who shared my room--No. 77 on deck B (said to be C)--also retired. It was bitterly cold. I was awakened by a slight jar and then a grating noise. I turned on the light and saw that it was 11:46, and I wondered at the sudden quiet. Gladys had not been awakened and I called her and asked did she not think it strange that the engines had stopped. As I opened our cabin door I saw a steward. He said we had struck some ice. Our fur coats over our night gowns were all the clothes we had. My cousin asked the chief steward if there was any danger and he answered, 'Oh no, we have just grazed some ice and it does not amount to anything.'
Again, if this is what she had testified, then I believe it all the way. There was no crewman on that ship that would have known better than she did. I also believe that the Earl would not mistake what his grandmother testified, especially if he holds with him the evidence of this and I am not certain if any other historian has it (although it is most likely). If one can prove that Lady Rothes was in C37 and not C77, then there is the correct answer that I shall believe. If not, however, then I am staying firm to the proper and appropriate source.
