THE VESTRIS FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1928, Page 5

THE VESTRIS FATALITY

FURTHER. PARTICULARS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright'. NEW YORK, Nov. 12. There was no trace of the passengers or the crew of the Yestris when the first of several rescue ships arrived v at the point of the sinking. jl HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE FEARED. NEW YORK, Nov. 12. The New York Police Headquarters has reported having received a radio advising that the Ohio Mam had arrived at the position where the steamer Yestris sank hut found no trace of the Vestris or of survivors. The steamship Porto Rico reported to the Radio Marine Corporation that it arrived at the position where the Yestris foundered hut could locate neither the hulk nor any lifeboats. Soon after the Camport Holt Company announced an unconfirmed message stating the Ohio Maru had rescued u.e passengers and crew, but this message was received with reserve, due to the extreme difficulty of rescuing passengers in a rough sea. It was also reported that the schooner Jacob Hook has foundered east of Cape Hatteras, with the loss of *w men. AN AUSTRALIAN VICTIM. NEW YORK, Nov. 12. Further messages received directly from the Ohio Maru and the Porto Rico indicate that these vessels had been searching vainly for some time, finding no trace of survivors, in heavy rainy weather. The ships have advised that they will continue the search, huttile earlier reports are now given slight credence. It is interesting to note that the sole Australian passenger Air Davies, nearly decided not to take the ship j when the vessel sailed on Saturday. In | view of Air Hoover’s trip to South ! America on Nov. Ifith. (as cabled) A’r Davies was on the point of camelling his Vestri passage, in order to accompany the President-elect as a journalist, but, due to the pressing nature of office business, it is understood the proprietors of the “Lanacion” suggested Air Davies should sail forthwith. RESCUE PR EVENT ED. NEW YORK, Nov. 13. The fears that those in the lifeboats (have perished in the heavy weather off the Virginia Capes, as they tried to make their way to shore have been increased late to-night. The weather reports indicate that rescue boats, especially a coastguard destroyer are trouble with the heavy seas, ain and fog in the vicinity of the disaster, and this made it doubtful if any effective work could be done until daylight in searching for lifeboats. It is understood that fifteen children and twenty-eight women were included among the passengers. The steamship Collajer is the latestarrival at the scene.

STILL NO TRACE. NEW YORK, Nov. 12. ' Late to-night several vessels reported i that they had reached the point o' the 1 foundering of the \estris, but were unable to find any trace of wreckage or of lifeboats. The visibility was ooor, and it was raining. 339 MISSING. NEW YORK, Nov. 13. Fears for the Vestris’ passengers and crew are increasing with continued failure of the vessels to find any ,survivois. The ship’s owners refuse to give up hope, believing a motor boat which was aboard may be towing the lifeboats ashore, unseen by the searchers. It is now reported there was a total of 339 passengers and crew. Nearly half of them are women. It is also reported from Cape Charles, Virginia, that a second small boat was swamped, and eight men lost. FURTHER DETAILS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 13. Radio reports state that the steamer American Shipper picked up ~m ‘ lifeboat from the Vestris. r I he tanker Myriam picked up another. 250 SAVED. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 13. The latest messages from the rescuing ■ vessels reported that all the Vestris passengers and crew were picked up. except the occupants of one boat and one raft. Officials here claim this means at least two hundred and fifty arc already rescued. 'Phe American Shipper has wirelessed stating she had picked up throe lifeboats with survivors, and is still ‘Landing by. The message also stated: “One boat and one raft are still missing.” A further’ message from the French ship, Myriam said: Later we rescued two lifeboats, the survivors including the Vestris’ captain. Carey. Officials of the Lamport Holt Lino here declare that each lifeboat is capable of carrying fifty-seven persons, on which it bases the estimate that between 250 and 285 persons should now have been Kescued. l Ao actual casualties were reported up to 9.30 this morning. Such definite details as are available show that the French ship Myriam picked up 53 of the passengers and crew. The American Shipper picked up 33 , passengers and 90 of the crew, while the battleship Wyoming, wirelessed: <‘We are passing through wreckage and

have picked up five people from the water.” The Radio Afarinc Corporation intercepted a message that the steamship Berlin is carrying the passengers of two lifelwats, hut it is not known whether these have been transferred from a rescue ship. ONE DEAD MAN FOUND. NEW YORK, Nov. 13. An unidentified man was found dead from exposure on a raft. It is almost a full day since 339 passengers and crew abandoned the ship. Only 203 are definitely accounted for, with most of the lifeboats picked up. The rescue began before, dawn. The ships were attracted by flares that the chilled persons tossed all night. The liner Berlin, the tanker Alvriam and the battleship Wyoming shared in the rescues. Other ships are searching. A dirigible from Los Angeles has been ordered to leave Lake Hurst for New Jersey at G p.m. to join in the search. A NOTH ER AIA X f t KSCT ED. (Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) The last messages from the scene of the disaster bespoke a possible tragedy. The warship Wyoming reported it had rescued another survivor, clinging to the wreckage. Shortly alter the Berlin three messages in quick succession, the first reading: “Rescued ’ man, believed to be dead, in a drifting lifeboat.” The second message said: “Rescued one man, drifting in a lifeboat. I-Ie tells us that ‘a woman with a child is drifting here within a radius of two miles.’ ” The third message states: “.Still searching for two lifeboats and a makeshift raft, reported to have two women on it.” It is thought possible that the first and second messages may be confused, but no confirmation is at present available, The last of the foregoing messages from the Berlin was at variance with other reports regarding the number of lifeboats and rafts still missing, especially with a message relayed to Coastguard Headquarters at Washington from. Norfolk-Yirginia Base, which advised that all lifeboats had been picked up, but one raft is missing. This message also stated that the American shipper and Alvriam were proceeding to New York, -while the AYyoming was heading for Hampton Roads. The Coastguard Headquarters have ordered the cutters Afascoiitin. ALuming and Alodoc. to continue the search with the destroyers; Davis and Tucker. 123 UNACCOUNTED FOR. NEW YORK. Nov. 13. At 1 p.m. a compilation showed that 215 had been rescued (one dead), and 123 were still unaccounted for. The steamer American Shipper had 123 survivors, the Alvriam G 3, the Berlin 21 and the Wyoming 8. DAVIS RESCUED. 1 NEW YORK, Nov. 13. A message received from the American Shipper stated that Davis was rescued, but his condition was unknown. NEW YORK, Nov. 13. The Berlin later wirelessed that the first of her messages was erroneous ana the second should be substituted for it. WASHINGTON, Nov 13. Vice Admiral Tylor, of the battleship AVyoming, wirelessed oil Tuesday afternoon that a number of the Yes-

tri’s dead were sighted. He would discontinue the search in the evening as it was not thought possible any more could lie rescued. ONE BOAT AND A RAFT LOST. WASHINGTON, Nov. 13. The TT.S. Admiral in a message said:—“Eight boats (including one makeshift raft) left the Vestris. One boat capsized at six p.m. on .Monday and some of her people were picket! up. The raft bad evidently broken up. The other boats were picked up. NEW YORK. November 13. The major part ol the search has come to an end. with 132 to 1.35 persons still unaccounted for. The plan for the litis Angeles to aid in search was abandoned when the Wyoming stated it was unnecessary for the coastguard would pick up the bodies. Admiral Taylor of the Wyoming radioed the Navy Department early yesterday afternoon that eight lifeboats, one a makeshift raft, left the Vestris. One boat and a raft capsized fifteen minutes before the first rescue ship arrived. Some were picked up but others have been afloat ever since.