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Message: [QUOTE="Bob Godfrey, post: 248628, member: 136612"] Hodgkinson was the Senior of five Fourth Engineers (one of whom was a specialist for the refrigeration equipment). The role of qualified engineers on Titanic was basically to ensure that routine adjustments and regular maintenance of the machinery were properly carried out, to deal with any unexpected problems that might arise, and of course to respond promptly to orders telegraphed from the bridge. No less important was supervision of the work of the small army of firemen, trimmers and greasers who worked in the boiler and engine rooms. By virtue of his seniority and experience, Hodgkinson would have been better qualified than the more junior engineers to deal with any problems arising from within the ranks of the 'black gang'. He was not mentioned at either of the Inquiries. The only references I have seen are in a couple of stories passed down through the family, which I will relate without comment. One is that Hodgkinson aimed to serve on as many different liners of the White Star Line as possible before retirement, so was keen to transfer to Titanic. The other is that his 14-year old niece, Anna Lewis, was awakened two days before the sinking by a nightmare about screaming people aboard a large ship which was suddenly 'lowered at one end'. Make what you like of that! [/QUOTE]