CAPTAIN'S EVIDENCE CONTINUED

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 1 June 1914, Page 8

CAPTAIN'S EVIDENCE CONTINUED

THE STORSTAD'S CAPTAIN'S ERROR.

BODIES IMPRISONED IN THE LINER'S HULL. (Received June 1, 12.30 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 30. The Storstad has been docked to ascertain the extent of her damage. Captain Kendall, further examined at the inquest, declared he gave the order for full speed ahead in an attempt to beach the Empress, and ordered the lifeboats out. He directed wireless' calls to be despatched, but the vessel went down too rapidly.

Captain Kendall was shot from the -bridge while giving directions, and seized a piece of grating later. When nearly unconscious, some people' pulled him into the boat, of which he took command and rescued numbers of struggling people. He put ten men over the side attached to ropes and dragged them to safety.

After leaving the first boatload aboard the, Storstad, Captain Kendall returned in another boat, but was unable to find anyone alive.

It was, he said, impossible for the Storstad's' captain to fail to hear Captain Kendall's order to stand fast and riot go astern; even if lie did not hear the call to keep ahead, as a seaman •he ought to have known "what to do. 'There was no explosion, but the escaping steam might have made a noise like..one. The Empress carried ample boats, with room for hundreds more than those aboard. The boats which Captain Kendall cut free floated off when the1 vessel sank. 1 The Stbrstad rescued only a few survivors. The Government steamer Ensign, with flags half-masted, brought 175 coffins to Quebec. It is believed that the remainder of the dead are still imprisoned in the Empress's hull. (Received June 1, 10.10 a.m.) . OTTAWA, May 31. Mr Borderi read in the Commons Mr Massey's message of sympathy, and his own reply.