SCENES AT WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1922, Page 5

SCENES AT WRECK.

LOSS OF THE EGYPT. GRAVE CHARGES MADE. OFFICERS BLAMEDI By Telegraph.—Press Asm.-—Copyright. Received Aug. 4, 9.5 p.m. London, Aug. 3. The inquiry into the loss of the P. and O. steamer Egypt, which sunk in the English Channel with loss of life after a collision with another steamer, has concluded. The Solicitor-General submitted the view that in the weather conditions the vessel was travelling at an immoderate speed. He asked why there had been such a loss of life, and he was obliged to submit that there had been a grave absence of discipline, for which the company and its officials, particularly the captain and the chief officer, were in different ways responsible. The company’s contention that because there was danger discipline could not be expected was bad, and would, if admitted, lead to disastrous results. There had been a total lack of system, organisation and responsibility, and total insufficient training in respect of boat drill. The arrangements for shepherding the passengers into the boats were unsatisfactory. There was plenty of time before the seriousness of the casualty manifested itself to get them away, and whatever panic occurred was the effect and not the cause of lack of order apd discipline. There would have been very little loss of life if the boats had been swung out during the fog, as they should have ueen. He asked that this failure should be treated as a grave breach of duty, which resulted in the loss of life. If the Court found the captain and the chief officer blameworthy it should blame more the system and the final authority responsible for the maintenance of that system.

Mr. Bateson, on behalf of the P. and 0. Company and the officers, emphasised the rapidity with which the Egypt sank. There was nothing like 20 minutes in which to do all the things suggested. Possibly some of the natives lost their heads, but the most highly organised bodies of men sometimes stampeded. The system should not be attacked because a big ship turned turtle. If the steamer Seine had been going at a moderate speed she would have missed the Egypt altogether. The President said the Court would take some time to consider the case, and would issue its report at the earliest date pos-sible.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.