ST. LAWRENCE RISASTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 35, 2 June 1914, Page 6

ST. LAWRENCE RISASTER.

CUT LIKE A SALMON-TIN. NUMBERS KILLED IN THEIR CABINS. SORSTAD CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT. '(By Eleotrio Telegraph—Oopybight] [Uwttsp Vvwm Ahsooiation.] (Received 10.50 a.m.) Ottawa, June 1. . An examination of the Storstad j&ows that the anchor point pierced the Empress of Ireland's side, killing numbers in their cabins. The Anchor was Covered with Blood. The anchor evidently opened the Empress of Ireland's plate like a salmon tin-opener. !•'' Captain Anderson, of the Storstad, asserts that the Empress of Ireland -Changed her course, as he maintained his iundeviatingly. The Storstad's speed was checked before she struck the Empress of Ireland. The captain says: "I attempted to keep the Stormstad's nose against -the" Empress of Ireland's side, but. owing to. the speed at which the Empress" of Ireland was proceeding, I was unable to do so." Captain Anderson asks that judgment be suspended until a competent tribunal is appointed and apportions the -blame. 'Commander Tueedle. of the cruiser .Essex, says it is impossible to raise the ' Empress of Ireland, but divers may recover the. money and valuables. ~ '. . ; . j DATE OF THE INQUIRY. LEGISLATION FOR APPOINTING SEPARATE COMMISSION. EVIDENCE BY MRS ANDERSON. (Received 1.20 p.m.) Ottawa, June 1. The Government has fixed 9th June fas the date of the opening of the Empress of Ireland inquiry. Two judges of the Canadian Admiralty Court and one representative of the British Admiralty compose the court. The House of Commons passed an amendment to the Shipping Act providing for a separate commission to investigate the disaster. Sir Edward Laurier endorse the-Bill, which was read'a second time, and the third .reading was fixed for the following day. The amendment provides for the appointment of the Canadian Admiralty judges above mentioned. " Mrs Anderson, at the inquest, stated that her husband endeavored to keep the Storstad pressed against the Empress of Ireland's side, but the latter's speed was too great. Captain Anderson ordered out all the boats, but at first it was not thought that the Empress of Ireland was in any danger of sinking. Captain Anderson gave up everything he possessed to aid the sttrvTvonT when he rescued them.