EGYPT INQUIRY

Evening Star, Issue 18031, 27 July 1922, Page 4

EGYPT INQUIRY

THE CAPTAIN’S NARRATIVE, LASCARS DEFENDED. . Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 25. Al tho inquiry into the loss of tho Egypt Captain Collier told a graphic story oi the scenes before tho vessel sank. After tho collision she heeled so badly that he was able to walk from the, starboard side to the" Iced, from which he sprang into a small Iboat. While doing so ho received a severe blow on the head and an injury to one. of liis knees. “ When I left tho ship,” he said, “no ape was aboard, unless they were in their cabins.” He denied that the lasoars generally, or this crow in particular, were guilty of cowardice. The loss of life was due to the fact that the passengers and crow threw themselves into tho sea indiscriminately. The confusion was due to anxiety to get away before the ship turned turtle. His explanation of this want of discipline was simply the terror of the crew-. They did nOt take up their positions as they should have done. Witness did not notice any violence on,the part of the crew—revolver tiring, the use of knives, or anything of that sort. The accident to the Egypt was abnormal. The ship's turning turtle prevented access to the boats. Even if the crew had been entirely white the-loss of life would have been the same. “For the work between Ijondon and Bombay I w-ould choose Lascars,” said the captain.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

Mr Cartwright, chief officer, said that two days before the disaster lie gave the lascars 'beat drill! for about ten minutes. Ho made a list of boats end the men allotted to them. When the order for boat stations was given he could not find any lascars, and practically no beat’s crew went with its boat.. The suddenness of the occurrence was the reason for the lack of discipline. Ever,- las car was terror-stricken. They were not violent, hut wore frightened and useless.. Some of the white crew wore jumpy and nervous, but they did their work.—A. and N.Z. Gable.