Officers of Vestris Praised and Blamed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 9

Officers of Vestris Praised and Blamed

EXPERTS DIFFER ATLANTIC DISASTER (United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright > (Australian and N.Z. Press Association J Reed. Noon. NEW YORK, Thursday. Captain McConkey, who represented Britain, has submitted the report of his Vestris investigations before the hearing of United States Commissioner 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 for gaining full information in the United States. Captain McConkey suggested that the findings of the United States group be placed before the British Board of Trade. The report is carefully worded. It hesitated to blame the officers. It said they were probably uqder great nervous strain. The life-saving apparatus was of the approved type, should have been able to cope with the situation, but it apparently was not “used to the full advantage.” The report said Captaiu Carey was a good captain, and “apparently had good reasons for ordering the lifeboats to be lowered on the port instead of the starboard side.” Captain McConkey completed the report with a suggestion that a qualified international commission make a complete study of the case and report. Captain Jessop (United States), in his report said he did not believe Captain Carey and the first engineer had control of- the situation. He stated that incompetency was one of the factors of the disaster. From a technical standpoint, Captain Jessop’s report is similar to Captain McConkey’s, with the exception of the latter’s praise of the officers. Captain Jessop also criticised the officers for their apparent dislike of the Federal investigation. He said the pumps were 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.m. on the Monday.” He stated that whether or not it was definitely the cause of the disaster that the ship was “tender.” listing easily and recovering slowly, he stressed the necessity for all ships to carry radio equipment.