South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-01


MONTREAL June /. - Charges
that the collier Storstad was under
manned at the time of the collision
with the liner Empress Of Ireland
were made today and will be investl-
gated by Canadian officials. me
charges were based on the statement
Of survivors. who declared that the
collier had only y men, including the
captain and three mates. and that
the Storstad was able to send out
only one of her lifeboats
Fix the blame" is the slogan OF
the dominion and imperial govern
ments I'm their joint investigation Oh
the disaster The imperial inVestlge-
tion committee will sit at ottawa
after agents of the Canadian govern
ruent have taken steps to fix resDon-
sibiEtv for the worst disaster that mas
ever occurred In dominion waters.
The Imperial committee will con-
sist of two Judges of the Canadian
court of admiralty and a representa-
tive of the British board OF trade.
Thfs representative, George NauX, has
already started for Canada
Captains Pass Lie.
In the preliminary investigation
here the Canadian officials find them
selves confronted by a situation IN
which the respective commanders OF
the Empress of Ireland and of the
Storstad. Captain Kendall land Captain
Anderson. give the lie TO each other.
The former declares that the Storstad
crew drew away after 1t rammed the
Empress Cautain Anderson declares
that il was the Empress which drew
away
The separation of the two ships al
lowed the water to rush into the cash
cut by the prov of the StOrstad ana
the Empress sank much quicker than
she would have if the two vessels had
remained together.
This is the charge Of Captain An
dcrson. which has been indorSed by
the management of the Black Dta-
m0nd line. lessees of the StOrstad
The vessels were in full view
when a great distance for each
other The StOrstad had the right
OF way. After the collision the
Storstad did not back away; 1t
forged ahead 10 keep the gap
closed TO keep out the water. II
was the Empress that changed
position: the Storstad did its ut
most TO save all. giving up all its
boats when in a crippled and dan
gerous condition itself After the
collision Is was the Empress that
moved away"
KcndalI's Charge.
This is the charge of Captain Ken,
dayy. which has been accepted by
the admiralty under a claim OF So
600. GOO damages
The Empress was stationary
when the Storstad rammed her
The Storstad then backed away
though requested TO foreg ahead
and block the hole in the En-
press side After the collision,
when asked 10 come alongside,
the Storstad kept moving away
The passengers rescued We're for
the most part saved by the En-
press own boats.
The evidence OF both crews will be !
taken at the preliminary invesuga-
tion that opens tomorrow. The do
minion officials also will take the
testimony Of passengers.
In order To make the investigation
a sweeping one IL is planned to de-
part from the usual course and have
il conducted by two admiralty judges. !
To do this special legislation viii De
necessary. A bill for this purpose
has already been drawn by the gov
ernment
Board OF Tra.ic Represented.
The British bolrd OF trade asked ]
through its president. John Burns. for |
permission 10 participate and this 1
was granted Immediately. The i'm
perial inquiry viii open as soon as
Mr.. NauX arrives. He is due here on /
June and viii go at once 10 Ottawa 1
While the special legislation and 4
the inquiry To be based upon IL are /
called forth by the Empress OF Ire /
land disaster il is the intention OF /
the government 10 make the tribunal 1
permanent one 10 investigate all 1
future Catastrophes.
The owners OF the Storstad have
one week Co answer the writ for dam
ages ON which the seizure OF the 1
Storstad was based
Officials ~ The Black Diamond line (
announced today that they would /
nght the seizure OF the Storstad Her /
carg OF coal is being unloaded and it /
is expected that an immediate appear
ance viii be entered in the suit The
outcome OF this viii bee largely de-
termined oy the verdict OF the court
Of inudiry