VESTRIS ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS ENQUIRY

FURTHER EVIDENCE,

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

(Received this day at 10.30. a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 30.

J)awes testified before Tuttle’s Inquiry. He said lie never saw the captain of the Vestris from the time of sailing although assigned to his table. He declared lie was refused premission to send a radiogram to New York concerning the ship’s position. “They told me they needed the wireless themselves to get tlie position from laud stations.” He said he recalled that one radio operator told him just before the Vestris sank that the motor ship Santa Barbara w r as sixty miles away. Ho saw an officer running to men wlio weie putting women and children in the port boats to tell them Carey wanted them placed in the starboard boats, but this order was not complied 'with. It was at Dawes’ insistence that a piece of tin was nailed over a hole in lifeboat number eight, though the officer bad said the leak would “swell the sheet.” Carey Appeared “hopeless” (as he paced the deck and Dawes distinctly heard the captain say, “Good-bye boys.” Officers of the steamer Montoso testified it is now apparent that tlie latter vessel passed within six miles of the Vestris on the morning of the disaster and was only distant thirtyfive to forty-five miles when the distress signal was sent, but tlicy had no wireless.

Tuttle declared ho introduced this testimony with a view to possible legislation compelling tlie carrying of wireless equipment.