THE ATLANTIC DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20586, 8 December 1928, Page 13

THE ATLANTIC DISASTER

SINKING OF THE VESTRIS,

REPORT BY BRITISH EXPERT. ■ "—" i (United Press Association,) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) NEW YORK, December. 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 11 p.m.) Mr M'Conkey, the British expert on the commission of inquiry into the sinking of the Vestris, has submitted his report. He refuses to, advance a reason fo the sinking- of the Vestris because of, lack of time for a- complete study and lack of facilities for gaining full information in the United States. Mr M'Conkey suggests that the findings of the United States group should' be placed before the, British Board of Trade. „ The report, whichMs carefully worded, hestitates to blame the officers, and says that they were probably under a great nervous strain. The life saving apparatus was of the approved uype and should have been able to cope with the situation, but apparently it was not “used to full advantage.” The repoit says that Captain Carey was a good captain and “ apparently had good : reasons for ordering the lifeboats to oe lowered on the port-instead of on the starboard side,” The report concludes with, the suggestion that a qualified international commission should make a complete study of the case and submit a report. ■

'Mr -..Jessup, the American expert, in hie report, gays he does not believe that Captain Carey and. the first engineer had control of the situation, and’ he states. that incouipetency was one of thb factors of the disaster.

From the technical standpoint ;Mr Jessop’a report is similar to that of Mr M'Conkey,:with the exception that the latter’s praises the officers. Mr Jessop also, criticises the officers for an apparent dislike of a, federal , investigation, and says - that,-the pumps apparently never worked at more than 30 per cent, of their full capacity. Mr Jessf.'. Says: The distress signal should hav ,■ been sent out. at least at 4 a.m. on Monday,” He states that Hie . weather was definitely not the cause of the disaster. ■

Mr Jessup stressed the necessity for all ships to carry jradio.—Australian Press Assciation.