LOSS OF VESTRIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 November 1928, Page 5

LOSS OF VESTRIS

¥- CONDITION OF SHIP.

evidence at inquiry.

STATEMENTS BY SURVIVORS

t.'ijiU'd Press Association—By Electric Telegraph , Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 20. A survivor named Isaac Scott, a waiter, testified before Mr Tuttle that the Vestris had leaked dnriiiig the 'last tour voyages, from the Btarboai'd doer, six feel above the water line. He stated that none of the crew were assigned to the lifeboats, and on the last voyage there were no drills for the passengers.

Thoni'f.K Connor, head waiter, said: “In my opinion the Vestris had a list on a'L' five voyages on which I sailed. The list increased on the last voyage five hours from New York.’’ GLibert Ford, a- negro, chief fireman, said that it was not unusual to find water in the engine-room. He said that lie was unable to make the soiuws work on tne leaking ash hopper. The last lifeboat drill lie could remember was on the Vestris 'is last northern trip.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS

BOARD OF TRADE’ SURVEYS

PRACTICE IN ENGLAND

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 20.' Many questions were asked in the House of Commons to-day regarding the loss of the Vestris. ’ Replying, Mr Williams. Under-Secre-tarv of the Board of Trade,; said that the form of the inquiry to be held in England was not yet decided’ upon, but the inquiry would cover all material points as to the responsibilities or the .Board of Trade.

Mr Williams said that all passenger ships trading to the from.oports in Britain were thoroughly surveyed by the Board of Trade surveys at least once a year, and all ocean-going vessels carrying large numbers of third-class passengers underwent a further survey before the beginning qf each voyage. Asked whether t-lie inspectors of the Board of Trade had auy responsibility for the proper storage of cargo belou decks. Mr Williams replied that this responsibility rested on: the persons concerned in sending the ships to sea. The Board of Trade surveyors did not nitervene unless there was reason to think that the ship was improperly loaded and could not go to sea without danger to life. He added that all British linen, carried boats for all on board, and in addition-rafts for up to 25 per cent, of the number of persons o-n board. At the suggestion of the British Government, Mr Frank O’Neill, United States Commissioner, who is presiding at the inquiry into- the disaster, 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 Oiniard 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. William henham. ship surveyor, E. A. Swanjaun and Fred Dennis, boiler inspectors, all testified that the ship was in good condition. Dennis denied that there- was any drinking bv the inspectors before or after leaving the ship. Frederick Sorenson denied that he had ever referred to Captain Carey as negligent or said “they are murderers” as quoted in the newspapers. He declared he was misquoted. , Tli© newspapermen who interviewed i Sorenson offered to. testify and will probably he called to-morrow. Sorrensoii concluded his evidence by stating the Vestri.s’s lifeboats and the ship itself were apparently in good condition.