THE ST. LAWRENCE DISASTER.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13520, 14 July 1914, Page 5

THE ST. LAWRENCE DISASTER.

JUDGMENT OF THE COMMISSION.

QUARTERMASTER'S EVIDENCE

DISCREDITED

Quebec, July 12. - Lord Mersey's Commission, dealing with the evidence of Galway, the quartermaster, that the helm of the?" Empress of Ireland was working badly, discredited it. The evidence of the officers of the Empress of Ireland showed that the apparatus Avas in perfect, order.

The Court generally concludes that the Empress of Ireland was correctly manoeuvred after sighting the Storstad: .

At the inquiry, Galway, quartermaster of the Empress of Ireland, swore _ that the Empress of Ireland's wheel jammed a few hours before the. collision, and that the vessel swerved badly; ;when proceeding down the river. He ; reported the matter toflfche watch officer. He admitted he had made a certain suggestion to Mr.-Haight, counsel for thb Storstad, at the instance of an unknown fireman who was connected with the Firemen's Union. The suggestion indicated that the Empress of Ireland, was steering badly, r*'Galway added that the CanadianPacific Company gave him a,ticket to returri to England, but he refused it 3 wishing to give evidence at the inquiry. In- reply to Lord Mersey, however, Galway admitted that the Canadian-Pacific Company told him to remain in Montreal after his statement regarding the steering gear came to their ears. Subsequently Mr. Haight apologised to the Canadian-Pacific Company for the imputation that it had endeavoured to conceal evidence.