VESTRIS INQUIRY.

Grey River Argus, 8 December 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS INQUIRY.

Reports Submitted. DIIVERGENCE OF OPINION. (Received December 7 at II p.m.) WASHINGTON. December 6. Mr McConkey submitted a report on the Vestris investigations. before hearing which Commissioner Gill re fused to advance a reason for the Vestris sinking, because of lack of time for a complete study, and the lack of facilities for gaining full information in the United States. Mr McConkey suggested that the findings of the United States group should be placed before the British Board of Trade. The report was carefully worded. He hesitated to blame the officers, and said they probably were under a great nervous strain. Ho said the life-saving apparatus was of the approved type, and should have been able to cope with the situation, but apparently they were not able to use it t 0 full advantage. He hesitat ed to blame the officers, and said Cap tain Carey was a good eaptain. aud “apparently had good reasons for or dering the lifeboats to be lowered on the port instead of the starboard side.” He completed the report with the suggestion that a qualified inter national commission make a complete study of the case, and report.

Mr Jessop, in a report, said he did not believe Captain Carey and the First Engineer had control of the situation. He stated that incompetency was on--of the factors of the disaster.

From a technical standpoint, Jes sop’s report is similar to that of Mr McConkey, with the exception that the latter’s praises the officers. Jessop also criticised the officers for apparent dislike of the Federal investiga tion. He said the pumps never apparently worked at more than 30 per cent, of their full capacity. Jessop said ‘‘a distress signal should have been sent out at least on four a.m. ou the Monday.” He stated that the weather was definitely not a cause ot the disaster, and that the ship was listing early and recovering slowly. Jessop stressed the necessity for all ships to carry radio.