LIFEBOATS LEAKED DECLARE SURVIVORS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18614, 16 November 1928, Page 10

LIFEBOATS LEAKED DECLARE SURVIVORS

VESTRIS INQUIRY HEARS EVIDENCE OF LOSS OF PASSENGER SHIP. (United Press Assn.—By Electrlo Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received November 16, 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 15. United States Commissioner O’Neill has opened an investigation into the Vestris catastrophe. The first witness was a survivor. Fred he gave evidence he wept and spoke excitedly. “Everything was careless,” he said. At the start of the trip, when he complained to a steward, he received for an answer: “You don’t know anything about it.” He that he placed his wife and baby in one of the first boats launched. He went later in a leaking, ove rioaded boat, the seams of which opened. He looked back and saw his wife’s boat hanging empty from the davits. He stated that he saw no indication of the high wind reported. He also stated that the boats containing women and children never left the raised portion of the deck. “I am sure of it,” he said. Another survivor, Wallace Sinclair, stated that Puppe was correct in his statements. Witness was impressed with the lack of preparation and the neglect to give passengers proper instructions. The crew tried to jettison the cargo by hand, but only moved two tons. He stated that nothing was accomplished in the lifeboats, because all wanted to do something different. “There was no question of water coming through the seams,” he added. Bodies in the morgue show slashes of shark bites. SEARCHING INQUIRY INTO LOSS OF VESTRIS HELD TO BE ESSENTIAL (Received November 16, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 15. The Board of Trade considers that a searching inquiry into the loss of the Vestris is essential. It has not yet decided on its form and venue.—Australian Press Association.