THE VESTRIS DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 9

THE VESTRIS DISASTER

ANOTHER INQUIRY OPENED

INSPECTION OF THE LINER WAS SHE SEAWORTHY? Another inquiry concerning the lost Vestris has been opened, the object being to find out if the liner was properly inspected, and was in a seaworthy condition. (United Press Association.— By Electric Tele graph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) - New York, November 20. Mr. Dickerson Hoover, InspectorGeneral of the United States Steamboat Inspection Service, has opened an inquiry into the inspection of the Vestris. Edward Keane, oue of the inspectors who cleared the vessel, admitted that six coal ports had not. been thoroughly inspected before the .Vestris sailed. Keane explained that, he was able to examine only four ports on each side, because the other six were filled with coal, but he expressed' certainty that they were shut tight and all properly gasketted; Keane'previously testified that the inspection was thorough, lasting four days, and out of 601 life preservers 68 found to be rotten were replaced. He declared that the boats were in excellent condition and fully equipped with ‘food, water,' flares, compass, etc. He said that he tested each lifeboat by placing sixty-five persons in it, which was above its capacity, and by lowering- the. craft, although not fully to. the water because of barges adjacent. (Rec. November 21, 7.20 p.m.) New York, November 20. William Renham, ship surveyor, E. A. Swanjaud and Fred Dennis, boiler inspectors, all testified.. that the ship was in good condition. Deiinis denied that there whs any drinking by the inspectors before or after leaving the ship. EVIDENCE OF SURVIVORS LEAKY CONDITION OF VESSEL LIFEBOAT - DRILL (Australian Press Association.) New York, November 20. When the inquiry into the. Vestris disaster was resumed, -a survivor, Tso no Scott, a. waiter, testified before Mr. Tuttle that the Vestris had leaked for the last four voyages from a starboard door six feet above the water. He stated that none of the crew had been assigned to the 1 lifeboats on the last voyage, and they had had no drills for passengers. - '' Thomas Conno, a head waiter, said: “In my opinion the Vestris had a slight list on all the five voyages on which I sailed. The list increased on the last voyage five hours from New York.” Gilbert Ford, a negro chief fireman, said that it was not unusual to find water in the engine-room. He said that he was unable to make the screws work on the leaking ash hopper. The last lifeboat drill he could remember was on the Vestris’s last northern trip. -STATEMENT DENIED. (Rec. November 21, 7.20 p.m.) New York, November 20. Frederick Sorenson, a passenger, denied that he ever referred to Captain Carey as negligent or said “they are murderers,” as quoted in the newspapers. He declared that he was misquoted. Newspapermen who interviewed Sorenson offered to testify and will probably be called to-morrow. Sorenson concluded by stating that the Vestris’s lifeboats and the ship were apparently in good condition. THE BRITISH INQUIRY ALL MATERIAL POINTS TO BE COVERED THE BOARD OF TRADE SURVEYS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 20. At the suggestion of the British Government, Mr. Frank O’Neill, United States Commissioner,, who is presiding at the inquiry into the disaster to the Vestris, which foundered off the American coast with heavy loss of life, was joined yesterday on the bench by two nautical experts, of whom one has been appointed by the British and one by the United States Governments. The British expert is Captain Henry McConkey, superintendent of the Cunard Line... The nautical experts will act as advisers and question 'witnesses, fulfilling’very much the same duties as nautical assessors in the British Admiralty Court. Many questions were asked in the House of Commons fo-dtly regarding the loss of the Vestris. Replying, Mr. Williams, Under-Secretary of the Board of Trade, said that the form of inquiry to be held in this country was not yet- decided.’ but the inquiry would cover all material points. As to the responsibilities of the Board of Trade, Mr. Wiliams said that all passenger ships trading to and from ports in this country were thoroughly- surveyed by Board of Trade surveyors at least once a year. All ocean-going vessels carrying large numbers of third-class passengers underwent a further survey before the beginning of each-voyage. Asked whether the inspectors of the Board of Trade had any responsibility for the proper storage of cargo below decks, Mr. Williams replied that this responsibility rested on the persons concerned.in sending ships to sea. The Board of Trade .surveyors did hot intervene unless there was ’ reaisbn to think the ship was improperly loaded, and could not go-to sea without danger to life. He added that all British liners carried boats for all aboard, and, in addition, rafts up to 25 per cent, of the number of persons aboard.