LOSS OF VESTRIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 December 1928, Page 7

LOSS OF VESTRIS

EXPERTS’ REPORTS

THE AMERICAN INQUIRY. CONDUCT OF THE OFFICERS. ; United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copy right.) (Australian Trees Association.) . WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. Captain MeGonkey, the British expert, submitted a report on the sinking of the liner Vestris at the hearing before the commissioner iMr O’Neill. He refused to advance a reason for the Vestris sinking, because of the lack of time for complete study and lack .of facilities lor gaining full information in the United States. Captain MeConkey suggested that the findings of the United States,group be placed before the British, (Board :of Trade. Ilis report was carefully worded. He hesitated to blame the officers and said they were probably under great nervouse strain. He said that life-saving apparatus of the approved type should have been able to cope with the situation, but apparently it was not “used to full advantage.” He said Captain Carey was a good captain, and “apparently had good reasons for .ordering the lifeboats to be lowered on the port side instead, of the starboard side.” He ended his report with a suggestion that a qualified international commission should make a complete study of the case and report. Captain Jessop, in his report, said he did not believe Captain 'Carey and the first engineer had control of the situation. (EDa stated tjhat (in competency was one of the factors of the disaster. From the technical standpoint Captain Jessop’s report is similar to that of .Captain MeConkey, with the exception of the latter’s praise of the officers. Captain Jessop criticised the officers for their apparent dislike of the Federal investigation. 'He said the pumps never apparently worked at more than 30 per cent, of their full capacity. Captain Jessop said the, distress signal should have been sent out at least at 4 a.-ni. on Monday. He stated that the weather definitely; was not .the cause of the disaster and that the ship was “tender,” listing early and recovering slowly. Captain Jessop stressed the neesesity for. all ships to carry radio.