VESTRIS ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS ENQUIRY

FURTHER EVIDENCE

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 8 a.to.) NEW YORK, November 18. At the Vestris investigation, the chief officer, Johnston, testified he had left the closing of the coal ports to the carpenter and had not inspected them. The vessel was shipshape on Saturday night. A list was discovered after the gale on Sunday morning. Shifting cargo, principally cased automobiles, broke a bulkhead. On Sunday there was exceptionally bad weather which was the cause of the sinking. He had told Carey at four on Monday morning that the situation "as set ions but left it to his own judgment what action to take. Chief Engineer Adams testified there was a leak in the ash-ejector valve, a scupper pipe leak ifrom one deck and another leak in the coal ports, which ultimately spilled from the bunkers into the engine room and finally an enormous leak in the bunker over the starboard boiler. All engines were devoted to work the pumps. He told Carev at four on .Monday morning that he believed he could keep the boat afloat, when the latter told him that ho expected destroyers to arrive iy five on Monday afternoon, hut the list grew so bad that the fires were washed out by 9.40 on Monday morning.