Detailed Findings On Loss Of Pamir

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28491, 22 January 1958, Page 14

Detailed Findings On Loss Of Pamir

(NJZ. Press Association—Copy ng ht)

LUEBECK, January 20. The Maritime Board investigating the «inlring of the windjammer Pamir found today that the captain's handling of the sails in the Atlantic hurricane last September was “contrary to the accepted sailing rules.” The Pamir went down with the loss of 80 lives. There were six survivors. The board, in its findings, avoided comment on whether sail training ships were still desirable. The board said that as a consequence of the Pamir disaster the regulations on the operation of sail training ships, the loading of such ships, and safety measures should be improved. The board said that there was no indication that the condition of the 52-year-old ship, or of the rigging, was in any way responsible for her loss. It said that the Pamir, on account of wind force, wind pressure on the sails, the unstable cargo of loose barley, and the lack of ballast, was not stable enough to weather the hurricane. Mr Luhmann said that when the Pamir met the hurricane she was carrying her foresail, all top-sails, several jibs, and stay-sails. The Assembly Hall in the 13th century Town Hall, where the hearing has been held, was crowded by more than 200 spectators. Among them, dressed in mourning. were many relatives of those who went down with the Pamir. The Pamir's six survivors—three of the regular crew and three cadets of the Pamir’s complement of 34 of a crew and 52 cadets —were not present today, though they had attended most of the hearings. The board listed 10 points, among them a suggestion that only captains and officers with long experience in sailing ships should be appointed to jobs in sail training ships. The Pamir, the board stated, had acquired a heavy list to port, and the barley cargo probably moved to port. In addition, water entered the portside deck structures. This caused her to capsize. The beard said the rescue operations after the sinking of the Pamir were hampered severely by the fact that most of the lifeboats had been damaged and the provisions in them washed away by breakers. Much of the signal equipment in the boats had failed. The board expressed its thanks to all those who had helped in the rescue operations, especially to the ships from 15 countries which hurried to the area where the Pamir sank to search for survivors. The board the first officer of the Pamir, Rolf Koehler, had had no previous experience in .sailing shins before he went on board the Pamir in 1955.

Mr Luhmann said in explanation of the findings that Captain Diebitsch was standing in as master in the Pamir on this passage for the regular master, Captain Hermann Eggers, who was iIL Captain Diebitsch had been at sea since 1912, and had served for 12 years in sailing ships, including a year and a half as an able seaman in the Pamir before World War I. The American Associated Press said that among the ten points were these recommendations: New skippers and mates should be given full information about the stability of ships. Grain should not be stowed loosely, but should be loaded in bags. Lifeboats should be made of unbreakable plastic so they would not be smashed by heavy seas, and they should be painted bright colours and be lined with metal radar reflectors and have waterproof radio equipment.