VESTRIS ENQUIRY CONCLUDED

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 5

VESTRIS ENQUIRY CONCLUDED

LONGEST IN BRITISH HISTORY. (United Press Association—By Electric Teleg. . (Received tliis day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 31. The niost protracted marine inquiry in British history culminated in a ■ lengthy report on the Vestris disaster, in which Commander Aspinal expresses the opinion that one of the chief - contributory causes to the sinking was , over-loading. Some blame must be attached to Woods, the owners. The registered manager, David Cook, representing New York agents who had not taken proper steps to prevent overloading was ordered to pay £SOO costs. Wheeler, Marine Superintendent, was blameworthy in a still lesser degree, and Hensley, Assistant Superintendent, was blameworthy- in a still lesser degree. i Commander Aspinal found Cook, Wheeler and Heasley guilty of wrongful default which contributed to the vessel’s loss. The captain shoidd have sent out the S.O.S. six hours’ earlier. His action regarding the boats was open'to criticism. “ The Vestris was not in a safe condition on leaving Hoboken. She was unfit'to encounter sea perils.” The reason w’hy more boats had not X; left the ship was probably that the disaster came before it was expected. There was no lack of order or discipline among the crew and there was no fault to find with the ship’s equipment. The Court recommended the Board of Trade rules, applying to emigrant ships' should be extended to all iforeign going passenger ships, and Consuls should observe draughts' of British ships leaving foreign ports and report to the Board of Trade. /