FATE OF LIFEBOAT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 116, 23 November 1928, Page 9

FATE OF LIFEBOAT

LOADED AND LOWERED SANK WITH VESTRIS EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Australian Press Association. (Received 23rd November, 11 a.m.) NEW yORK, 22nd November, At the inquiry into the Vestris disaster, conducted by the Federal Attorney, Mr. Tuttle,' Joseph Boxhill, a stoker, testified that the Vestris lifeboat No. 4, filled mostly with women and children, was lowered to within five feet of the water, but never released from the ship. Boxhill said that he saw the sinking vessel drag the loaded boat down with it. Apart from Boxhill's testimony, both Mr. Tuttle 'a and inspection service inquiry appeared to have reached a stage of anti-climax during the early sessions, which apparently prompted Mr. Tuttle to expedite his investigation as much ; as possible, calling numerous witnesses i in rapid succession. | Captain Bambra told much the same story as he told befoTe the other investigation, adding that while he com-1 munded the Vestris boat drills were held regularly. The hearings otherwise were occupied , with unsupported statements from negro members of the crew and others, such as that the cause of sinking "might have been lead on the bottom." Before the Commerce hearing Captain William Bambra, who was master of the Vestris while Captain Carey was on a recent vacation, testified: "It is a mystery to me. I wish I could unravel it. That was one of the finest ships I ever had in my life." Mr. Davies has been subpoenaed to appear before Mr. Tuttle, probably on. Monday, since he has been asked to stay in.bed until that day by the doctor.

CHANGED ATMOSPHEBE. Tho appointment of marine experts in the Vestris inquiry apparently has changed the entire atmosphere of tbe investigations. Over-emphatic questioning and lack of complete familiarity with nautical terminology on the part of questioners has previously tended to distort the perspective of the hearings. Captain M'Conkey's milder ■ manner and familiarity with terminology has elicited readier replies. The newspaper tendency is to daily interpret witnesses testimony and draw conclusions for headline purposes and long articles by so-called marine experts charging that shipowners are in greater part responsible for marine disasters, and expressions of opinion from all sorts of sources, as notably a resolution introduced at the American federation of Labour Convention, asking the Department of Justice for an inquiry into rumours that salvage eonsid- j eratiou left the Vestris' to her doom, have seemingly emphasised the inclination to condemn the British steamship, and atribute negligence to men who are unable to defend themselves.