The Empress Wreck

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 27 June 1914, Page 5

The Empress Wreck

EVIDENCE OF'WITNESSES CON-

CLUDED.

COMMISSION WILL DELIBERATE

PRIVATELY.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright

Received 2t>, 11.15 p,in,

Quebec, June 25.

The Empress of Ireland Enquiry has finished hearing the evidence of witnesses.

Counsel for the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union addressed the Commission of Enquiry, which then adjourned, to allow counsels for the Storstad and Empress of Ireland to prepare addresses. After these speeches', the Commission is to hold private conferences to sift the evidence with the aid of assessors and Admiralty experts appointed by the Dominion and British GovcrnimentfV It is expected these sessions will last about two \ve3ks.

An expert called by Hie Sfcorstad's lawyers testified that he believed the Storstad struck the liner at an. angle of forty degrees as testified by the ■builders' expert. He claimed that onlv one watertight compartment was pen traced by the collier's nose, against tv, u claimed. by ihe builders' expert. Be claimed that the enlarged rudder of the Empress of Ireland was inadequate. Mr Hilßiou'e, of the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, recalled, stated that the liner's rudder had! a greater percentage to the submerged area than was usual in modern liners.