Hard Swearing

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 26, 20 June 1914, Page 5

Hard Swearing

THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND ENQUIRY.

A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT.

LINER'S STEERING (TEAR 1)1

FECTIVE.

By Cable—Press Association—Copi right Ottawa, June IS. George Smart, a passenger bv the Empress of Ireland corroborated Captain Kendall's statement that the Empress was stationary when the collision occurred.

Brennan, the second engineer, corroborated the statement regarding the ißignals as received in the engine-room from Captain Kendall. Loul Mersey, after hearing Smart, thought it unnecessary to examine further passengers.

Quebec, -June 18. Mr. Haight surprised the Commission 'by a statement that he understood the Empress of Ireland's steering gear jambed before the collision.

| 'Lord Mersey immediately ordered .Quartermaster Galway, of the Empress l of Ireland, to attend the Court to explain if it were true that the Empress was disabled.

Captain Kendall promptly denied that there was any truth in the statement that the steering gear was in any way affected.

Mr. Walsh, marine superintendent of the Canadian Pacific denied that any attempts were made to induce Galway to leave Canada. Galway, examined, contended that the Empress of Ireland did not answer her helm properly when on the last trip westward. Galway admitted that lie made a certain suggestion to Mr. Haight, counsel for the Storsiad, at the instance of an unknown fireman connecfed with the Fireman's Union. The suggestion indicated that the Empress Was steering badly.

A WITNESS DISCREDITED. CHARGES OF COWARDICE UNHOUNDED. Received 19, 10 p.m.

Quebec, June 19. Galway swore that the Empress' wheel jambed a few hours before the collision and she swerved badly when proceeding down' the river.

(Lord Mersey asked if the river .current were not sufficient to produce these apparent errors, and Quartermaster Murphy answered in the affirmative, adding that the ship steered perfectly. Bernier, the pilot, declared that Galway's statements were untrue, and that during his control the Empress of Ireland steered correctly. Lord Mersey commented on Galway ! s failure to inform the Empress of Ireland's authorities of the fact that she was steering badly, and thought it exceedingly strange. Mr. Haight had kept Galway's testimony back, with the apparent object of springing it on the court. After the conference of the lawyers engaged in the case, the announcement was made in the Court that they were fully satisfied that all the charges of cowardice were unfounded. |Lord Mersey declared that it was apparent that ao charge of cowrvdice against either crew could be sustained.

Liddell, a member of the Empress of Ireland's engineering staff, corroborated Captain Kendall in his statement that after leaving Father Point he first orordered "full speed," then "stop," then "full astern," then "stop."

THE WDTNESS CONFUSED.

Received IJ>, 10.50 p.m. Quebec, June 18.

Galway was confused while giving his evidence regarding the Empress of Ireland's steering. He stated once that he reported the matter to the watch officer, who was now dead. When after

the wreck he reported that the Empress steered badly, Mr. Walsh, the Canadian-Pacific Co.'s marine superintendent, explained that it was usual for large vessels to occasionally steer badly. Galwajy added that the Canadian-Pacific Co. gave him a ticket to return to England, but he refused, as he wished to give evidence at the enquiry.

GALWAY'S FORCED ADMISSIONS. HURTFUL INFERENCES CLEARED UP.

Received 19, 11.25 p.m. Quebec, June 01.

In reply to Lord Mersey, Galway admitted that the Canadian-Pacific Company told him to remain at Montreal after his statement regarding tlie steer-ing-gear came to their ears. Murphy, recalled, said the Empress of Ireland steered as well as any ship he was ever in. Like all vessels going at high speed, she sheered somewhat. A number of seamen denied that anyone refused to rescue the passengers.

The wireless operators, Ferguson and Baniford, described the messages sent, and how they escaped death. Lord Mersey complimented them on their coolness, and said they were a credit to the service.