Leaking For Four Voyages

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 517, 21 November 1928, Page 9

Leaking For Four Voyages

ASSERTIONS BY CREW OF VESTRIS

Lost Ship’s Coal-Ports Not All Examined

THE startling assertions that last four voyages, that si voyages, and that it was not engine-room, have been made crew. It has been admitted al ports were not inspected befor Rec.d. 12.45 p.m. NEW YORK, Tuesday To-day Blr. Dickerson Hoover, In-spector-General of the United States Steamboat Inspection Service, opened an inquiry into the inspection of the foundered British steamer Vestris. Edward Keane, one of the inspectors who cleared the vessel, admitted that six coal ports were not thoroughly inspected before the Vestris sailed. Mr. Keane explained that he was able to examine only four ports on each side, because the other six were filled with coal, but he expressed a certainty that they were shut tight and all properly gasketted. Mr. Keane had previously testified that the inspection was thorough, lasting four days, and that of the 601 life-preservers, 6S which were found rotten were replaced. He declared that the boats were in excellent condition and fully equipped with food, water, flares, compass, etc. He said he tested each lifeboat by placing 65 persons in it, which was above its capacity, and by lowering the craft (although not fully) to tho water. OFFICER’S EVIDENCE Blr. Welland, third officer of tho Vestris, said several of the lifeboats did not have proper officers in charge of them. Three of the four boats he helped to launch reached the water safely. Nobody could give an accurate idea as to why the Vestris sank. The general opinion, however, was that the packing worked loose from the port door on the coal-bunkers and that caused the leaks in the engineroom. Witness said he discovered several leaks and conferred with the captain, who remarked that the situation was serious and that the Vestris must be taking in water from some place other than the leaks. A search failed to reveal other places, however.

the Vestris leaked during the lie had had a slight list for live unusual to iiiul water in the by members of the lost liner’s Iso that six of the vessel’s coal e she sailed on her trip. The Inquiry was adjourned until tomorrow. NO LIFEBOAT DRILL Another survivor, Isaac .Scott, a waiter, testified before Attorney Charles H. Tuttle that the Vestris leaked during her last four voyages from a starboard door, six feet above the water. He stated that none of the crew had been assigned to lifeboats during the last voyage, and there had been no boat drill for the passengers. Thomas Connor, head waiter, said: “In my opinion the Vestris had a slight list on all live voyages on which I sailed. The list increased on the last voyage, five hours from New York.” Gilbert Ford, a negro, the chief fireman, said that it was not unusual to find water in the engine-room. He said that they had been unable to make the screws work on a leaking ash hopper. The last lifeboat drill he could remember was on the Vestris’s last northern trip.