THE EMPRESS WRECK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 112, 17 June 1914, Page 10

THE EMPRESS WRECK.

ENQUIRY OPENED.

IMPOSING ARRAY OF COUNSEL.

B>/ Cable. —I're*-* AxxoeiaHon. —Copyright. (Received .lime 17, 12.25 p.m.) OTTAWA, June 16. The Empress of Ireland enquiry has opened, Lord Mersey, Messrs Routhier and M'Leod presiding, with four assessors. Mr Newconibe, Deputy Minister of Justice, examined the witnesses. There was a huge array of counsel. Mr Newconibe occupied the morning session by outlining the salient facts of the Empress of Ireland's loss, as already known. There is keen public interest.

CAPTAINS GIVE EVIDENCE.

VARIED STORIES.

(Received June 17, 1..-55 p.m.) QUEBEC, June 16

Captain Kendall examined, told how the accident occurred, following much on the same lines as given by him in

newspaper interviews. Captain Kendall, although still suffering from injuries, refused a seat, and addressed the Court standing. Mr Newcombe pointed out that the question of pilotage was not involved, as the pilot had dropped the vessel moving in a seaway Mi miles wide. The Storstad's captain said he was unable to keep his vessel's nose up to the Empress of Ireland's side. He had swung round iu a circle, aud when he looked again the Empress of Ireland had disappeared. Captain Kendall declared that the Storstad must have put her helm hard aport. The Storstad, he Bai<t, was proceeding fast.