CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 9

CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

THE STORSTAD'S DEFENCE,

REPLY TO CAPTAIN KENDALL.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Coprrl'rbte' OTTAWA. Juno 1. An examination of tho Storstad shows that her anchor point pierced the sido of the Empress of Ireland, killing a number of people in the cabins. Tho anchor was covered with blood. It evidently opened tho liner's plates like a salmon tin opener. Captain Andresen, of tho Storstad, asserts that the Empress of Ireland changed hor course, and ho maintained his undeviatingly. Tho Storstad's sliced was checked before sho struck tho Empress of Ireland. Captain Andresen cays ho attempted to keep tho Storstad's nose against the sido of the liner, but, owing to the speed at which the Empress of Ireland was proceeding ho was unable to do so. Ho asks that judgment bo suspended until a competent tribunal apportions tho blame. Commander Twcedie, of the cruiser Essex, says that it is impossible to raiio the Empress of Ireland, but divers may recover money and valuables. Mrs Andresen, giving evidonce at tho inquest, stated that her husband endeavoured to keep tho Storstad pressed against the side of th© Empress of Ireland, but the speed of tho liner was too great. Captain Andresen ordered out all the'boats, though at first it was not thought that the liner was in any danger of einkin_-. Her husband did everything in his power to aid tho survivors.