VESTRIS ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS ENQUIRY

DISTRESS SIGNALS IGNORED

BY ITALIAN STEAMER

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

NEW YORK, Nov. 19

Captain E. P. Jessup, of the United States Navy (retired) has been selected as an American expert for the Vestris investigation.

John Smith, of the Marconi Wireless Company, testified regarding communication between the Vestris and the Voltarie, her sister ship, which was nearby, but unable to proceed to the assistance of the Vestris, due to a broken propellor The Voltaire repeatedly son queries to the Vestris throughout tnSundav. Until just before flic S.O.S. was sent the Vestris answered nothing but “Have nothing to communicate,” and that onlv occasionally.

The radio log of the Radio Marine Company’s Chatham Station was presented by Arthur Costigan, and revealed that the Italian ship, Giorgio Ohlesen, apparently within thirty-five'miles of the Vestris, relayed messages from the stricken vessel, hut did not explain why it failed to go to the assistance of the Vestris.

The testimony of Third Officer Welland cleared the question regarding the weather at the Vestris’ sinking, by decoding messages to show that the wind was blowing a moderate north-east gale.

The mystery concerning Captain Carey’s communication with the owners has not been cleared up.

Costigan testified that no message bearing the slightest resemblance to such a communication had been recorded.

Radio records showed that the Vestris told the Voltaire it had nothing to communicate as late as 4.56 on Monday.

Third Officer Welland testified that "several boats did not have proper officers in charge.” He said three of the four boats he launched reached the water safely. Nobody could give an accurate idea how the Vestris sank. "There is a general opinion, however, that packing worked loose from the port door on the coal bunkers, thus causing leaks into the engine room.” he said. He discovered several such leaks, and conferred with Captain Carey, who once remarked: "The situation is serious. The Vestris must be taking water from some place besides the leak,” hut a search failed to reveal places. The hearing continues to-morrow, the survivors giving testimony. INSPECTION REPORT. (Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 20. Dickerson Hoover (Inspector-General of United States Steamboat Inspection Service) opened an inquiry into the inspection of the Vestris, at which Edward Kean, one of the Inspectors who cleared the vessel admitted six coal ports had not been thoroughly inspected before the Vestris sailed. Kean explained he was able to examine only four ports on each side, because the other six were filled with coal, but he expressed a certainty that they were shut tight, and all properly gash'd* Kean previously testified that the inspection was thorough, lasting four days and of 601 life preservers, 68 were found rotten and were replaced. He declared the boats were in excellent condition and fully equipped with food, ater, flares, compass etc. He said he tested a lifeboat by placing 65 persons in it, which was above its capacity and lowering the craft, although not ..,iy to the water, because barges were adjacent. FURTHER EVIDENCE. NEW YORK. Nov. 20. A survivor named Isaac Scott, a waiter, testified at the inquiry before Mr Tuttle, that the Vestris leaked the last four voyages from alio starhoard door six foot above the water line. He stated none of the crew were assigned to the lifeboats on the last voyage, and there was no drill*' for the passengers. Thomas Connor, head waiter, said: "Tn tnv opinion the Vestris had a list on all five voyages on which I sailed. The list increased on the last voyage five hours from New Aork. Gilbert Ford, the Negro, chiel lire man, said: "It was not unusual to find water in the engine room. If" said ho was unable to make the screws work on the leaking ash hooper. The last lifeboat drill he could remember *was on the Vestris’ last northern trip.”