VESTRIS DISASTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 August 1929, Page 5

VESTRIS DISASTER

VESSEL OVERLOADED r I NO LACK OF ORDER OR DISCIPLINE MARINE COURT’S FINDING (United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright! (Australian Press Association —United Service) (Received Ist August, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, 31st July. The most protracted marine enquiry in British history culminated m a lengthy report on the Vestris disaster in which Commissioner Aspinal expresses tlic opinion that one ot the chief contributory causes to the sinking was overloading. Some blame must be attached to Woods, the owners, and .the registered manager, David Cook, representing tlie New York agents, who nad not taken proper steps to prevent overloading, and who were ordered to pay £SOO costs. Wheeler, marine superintendent, was blameworthy in a lesser degree. Commissioner Aspinal found Cook, Wheeler and Hesley guilty of wrongful default, which contrinuted to tlie vessel’s loss. The captain should have sent out an 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 Hobken. She was unlit to encounter sea perils.” The reason why more boats bad not left the ship was probably that the disaster came before 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 that the Board of Trade rules applying to emigrant ships should he extended to all foreign going passenger ships, and that consuls should observe the draughts of British ships leaving foreign ports and report to the Board of Trade.