VESTRIS DISASTER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 10

VESTRIS DISASTER

INQUIRY CONTINUED RADIO OFFICERS' EVIDENCE SENDING OUT SIGNALS United Truss Assoflntion —li.v Klcetriu TeleKniiili -—CuiiyrlKlit. (Received 17th November, 2.40 p.m.) NHW YORK, 10th November. Mr. Tutlle, Federal Attorney, reud into the record of Sir Harry Armstrong's offer of co-operation suggestions in regard to the aid of nautical experls in. the investigation into the wreck of the Vestris. Mr. Tuttle has issued subpoenas for the production of the vessel's cargo manifest and lifeboat rota, which lie wishes to have, inspected. At the inquiry Mr. Tuttle called Charles Vci-ehere, assistant radio officer. The witness was nervous and forced to answer questions instead of being allowed to give a personal account of the events. His testimony*' was largely a repetition of "I don't, remember." The Chief Officer Johnson is expected to appear, but is missing from the hotel, and cannot be loc.'it'-d. The other assistant, radio officer testified and from the combined testimony of the latter and Dint of Verehere, Mr. Tuttle si riled that he assumes that radio communication was held between the Vestris and the Lamport Holt within twenty-four bourn before the wreck. Captain Carey's radio record, will probably be inspected. Mr. Tuttle has subpoenaed all radio communication existing between Captain Carey and the owners, and also the operators and others connected with the transmission of such messages. Verehere also testified that the Vestris had a slight collision with a cargo boat in New York harbour a few days before she sailed, after which the vessel had minor repairs. Assistant Radio Officer Mac Donald stated that he left the radio cabin with Chief Radio Officer O'Loughlin before the ship sank. MaeDonald was vague about the time of departure, and said that it was from .'lO to 4a minutes previous to the sinking when both entered the lifeboats. O'Loughlin is not appearing again, and neither is Verehere. Mac Donald could not remember when the first S.O.S. was sent out. Mr. Tuttle: "It must have been a very unbusinesslike job in your cabin." It has been established that the. reports were incorrect that a S.O.S. had been sent out on Sunday and later revoked by Captain Carey. A representative of the Radio Marine Corporation produced messages which he stated were all that could be found bearing on the case. These concerned Captain Carey's reporting to the Layport Holt: "Listing. Unable proceed anywhere." The official stated that lie found no trace as reported earlier of communications from Captain Carey, but would continue the search.