Storstad's Captain

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 15 July 1914, Page 5

Storstad's Captain

ABUSES LORD MERSEY.

THREATENS MUCH LITIGATION,

J>y C«.Me.—Press Association.—Copyright Ottawa, Julv i:j. Captain Anderson, of the Storstad, has expressed his opinion that Lord Mersey ll fool for holding him respon ' *•'>'«• f«r the collision. Any reputation Lord Mersey had he is sure to lose ; through such a decision. Lord Mersev -really favored the Canadian Pacific Company throughout. Captain Anderson announces his intention of start: a suit airainst the Canadian Pacific Railway Company on behalf of the Storstad's owners, and will also begin a suit in the British Admiralty .courts. Captain Anderson lias promised much litigation before things are settled between -him and the Canadian Pacific Company.

As the result of the judgment Captain Kendall remains in the employ of the Canadian Pacific Company.

SATISFACTION WITH THE VERDICT

| Times and Sydney Sun Services. | . Received 14, 5.45 p.m. London, July 14. The Times, in a leader on the Empress of Ireland verdict, says that it offers an adequate and intelligible explanation of the disaster, attributing it to human error, which is satisfactory because it does not leave any obscure and unexplained danger overhanging vessels navigating the St. Lawrence, and disposes of the suspicion that a thousand people were sent to their deatihs through deliberate wrongdoing or neglect due to base motives. Error of judgment is no crime, and Chief Officer Tuftness will meet with more sympathy than condemnation.

STORSTAD'S OFFICERS GO UNPUNISHED.

810 COMPENSATION CASE COM-

MENCING.

Received 15, 12.15 ajn. Ottawa, July 14. As Norwegians own the Storstad, it is impossible for the Canadian Government or the Mersey Commission to punisli the first and third officers. Legal authorities have decided that they cannot prosecute the officers criminally, but it is understood that legislation will be undertaken during next session of Parliament to make officers of foreign steamers amenable to Canadian laws whenever lives are lost.

; The Canadian-Pacific Oo.'s legal r<I presentative lias been instructed to proj eeed immediately against the Storstad's j owners to recover damages for the loss iof the Empress of Ireland. The CanaJ dian-Pacific Co. claim that Lord Mersey'? decision relieves them of the responsibij litv for paying damages to the relatives J of the drowned and injured passengers.