VESTRIS INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 5

VESTRIS INQUIRY

DIVERGENCE OF OPINION,

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6

Air MeConkoy submitted a report on the Vostris investigations, before bearing which Commissioner Gill refused to advance a reason for the Vestris sinking, because of lack of time for a complete study, and the lack of facilities for gaining full information in the United States.

Mr McConkey suggested that the findings of the United States group should be placed before the British Board of Trade. The report was carefully worded. He hesitated to blame the officers, and said they probably were under a great nervous strain. He said the life-saving apparatus was of the approved type, and should have been able to cope with the situation but apparently they were not able to use it to full advantage. He hesitated to blame the officers and said Captain Carey was a good captain, and “apparently bad good reasons for ordering the lifeboats to be lowered on the port instead of the starboard side.” He completed the report with the suggestion that a qualified international commission make a complete study of the case, and report. Mr Jcssop, in a report, said hei did not believe Captain Carey and the First Engineer had control of the situation. He stated that incompetently was one of the factors of the disaster.

From a technical standpoint, Jessop’s report is similar to that of Mr McConkey, with the exception that the latter’s praises the officers. Jessop also criticised the officers for apparent dislike of the Federal investigation. He said the pumps never apparently worked at more than 30 per cent of their full capacity. Jessop said “a distress signal should have been sent out at least at four a.m. on the Monday.” He stated tha.t the weather was definitely not a cause of the disaster, and that the ship was listing early and recovering slowly. Jessop stressed the necessity for all ships to carry radio.