SAFETY AT SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1922, Page 5

SAFETY AT SEA.

LOSS OF THE EGYPT BEHAVIOR OF LASCARS. GRAVE CHARGES MADE. By- Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 28. At the Egypt inquiry, Gates, boatswain, said his crew on the previous trip did not have one complete boat drill. They were merely drawn up abreast of the boat and then dismissed. Collingwood, a deck steward, said the Lascars crowded the port side boats and rendered, them immovable. Thei” one idea was to save their own skins. They had to be kicked out by the officers. The only way to control nit’ve firemen was to stand over them with a revolver. One native gave evidence that lie was not told the number oj his boat in case of emergency, and was not given a life jacket. He was ignorant of handling and lowering boats. Received July 29, 5.5 p.m. London, July 28. The inquiry into the loss of the P. and O. steamer Egypt, which was sunk in the English Channel after a collision with another steamer, was continued. An Indian fireman gave evidence that there was no boat drill instruction or life jackets for the Lascars. Another stated there were no lifebelts in the native quarters. He declared he was shot and wounded while entering a boat. Another gave evidence that, he was ordered out of a boat by the captain. Later, as he was entering the boat again, he was shot and wounded by a passenger.