SINKING OF THE VESTRIS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 11

SINKING OF THE VESTRIS

FINDING OF BRITISH COURT VESSEL OVERLOADED NOT FIT TO ENCOUNTER PERILS OF VOYAGE The British Court which inquired into the loss of the liner Vestris, found that over-loading was a contributory cause, and that the vessel was not fit to encounter the perils of a voyage. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 31. Mr. Butler Aspinall, Wreck Commissioner, gave judgment to-day in the Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the Lamport and Hull liner Vestris, which sank in the Atlantic off the American coast on November 12, 1928, with the loss of 112 lives. The inquiry lasted forty days—the longest maritime inquiry ever held in this country. The tribunal had submitted a list of fiftyeight questions to answer. The Court found that over-loading w’as a contributory cause to the loss of the ship. Among other causes were the tender conditions of the ship, insufficient margin of stability and reserve of buoy ancy, and heavy weather and a high wind, which caused the vessel to list to starboard. The cargo and coal were properly loaded and distributed, and were secured from shifting, but coal should not have been carried in the upper shoots. The half-doors on the upper deck were not weathertight. The weatherdeck hatches were not battened down. Tarpaulins had been supplied, but were not available when required. The vessel had not the freeboard required. The lifeboats were in a seaworthy condition, and the arrangements for manning and launching were proper and efficient. Vessel Not in Safe Condition. The Vestris was not in a safe condition on leaving Hoboken, and no steps were taken to bring her to her proper marks before going to sea. The vessel was not fit to encounter the perils of a voyage. The reason for more boats not getting away was probably that disaster overtook the ship sooner than was expected. There was no lack of order or discipline among the crew. There was no satisfactory evidence, however, that definite orders were given to abandon the ship. The passengers and crew did not go to prearranged places because no order for boat stations was given. In all probability, owing to the list, other orders were given, and the passengers and crew were diverted to other places. There was some disorganisation owing to the passengers and crew going to boats other than those allotted to them. The women and children were placed in the port boats in a mistaken application of the traditional order, “Women and children first.” It was also held that an SOS message should have been sent out six hours earlier.

THOSE BLAMEWORTHY ORDER AS TO COSTS RECOMMENDATION AS TO RULES (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Assn. —United Service. London, July 31. The most protracted marine inquiry in British history has culminated in a lengthy report on the Vestris disaster, in which the Commissioner, Mr. Butler Aspinall, K.C., states his opinion that one of the chief contributory causes of the sinking of the vessel was overloading. The Commissioner finds that some blame must be attached to Mr. Woods, the owners’ registered manager, and Mr. David Cook, representing the New York agents, who had not taken proper steps to prevent overloading. They were ordered to pay £5OO costs. Mr. Wheeler, marine superintendent, was found blameworthy in a lesser degree, and Mr. Heasley, assistant superintendent, was blameworthy in a still lesser degree. Mr. Aspinall found Messrs. Cook, Wheeler, and Heasley guilty of wrongful default, which contributed to the vessel's loss. The Commissioner further found that the captain should have sent out an SOS six hours earlier. His action regarding the boats was open to criticism. There was no lack of order or discipline among the crew and no fault to find with the ship’s equipment. The Court recommended that the Board of Trade rules applying to emigrant ships should lie extended to all foreign-going passenger ships, and Consuls should observe the draughts of British ships leaving foreign ports and report to the Board of Trade. “N.Z. SPORTING AND DRAMATIC REVIEW.” A SUPERB SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS. There is absolutely no doubt that this week’s issue of the “N.Z. Sporting and Dramatic Review" is one of the best ever published. Full of the snappiest and most attractive illustrations representing every branch of sport and incidents ot' note, the universal opinion will be that it is the acme of perfection. The double centre pages, always a delightful section, display a choice selection of overseas items. America Cup yachts. Niagara Falls at night, world's prettiest girls, new battleship of the air. Football has a fine exhibition of photographs, animated scenes from the King’s v. Grammar College match make up a graphic page, and another page of the Auckland v. South Auckland match at Car Jaw Park will please League enthusiasts. The arrival of the French cruiser Tourville, depicted in a page of snapshots, will be a centre of much interest. The first hockey ■ Test between Australia and New Zealand at Wanganui, and the Manukau Cycle Club's road race, are sporting events with special pictorial treatment. The pages printed by the offset process form a colourful supplement and mention must he made of the impressive full-page picture of one of Goldie’s famous Maori heads. Other photographs include the exquisite frontispiece, and a page of alluring fashions. The miscellaneous division has a bright set of photographs, including officers’ and N.C.O.’s refresher course at Narrow Neck, tenuis championships at Wimbledon, motor racing thrills, golf, funeral of the late Keith Anderson, winter sports at Mount Cook, etc. The “Review" is on sale at all booksellers and stationers.—Advt