Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-01
Captain and Officers of StOrstad
Deny Stories of Backing Away
After Collision with the
Empress of ireland
Based
Upon Report Of
Cap t Anderson


Montreal, May S1.-The following
statement based upon the reports of
Captain Anderson and his officers was
given out by Messrs. DANCE and Griffin
tonight:
'The fact that the Storstad has only
today reached port has made 1t impos-
sible heretofore to give an authentic
statement on her behalf. All connected
with the Storstad deplore most deeply
the terrible accident which has result
ed in the loss of so many valuable lives.
1t is not because we have any desire 10
condemn others, but simply because 1t
is felt that the public is entitled to know
the facts that the following statement
is put forward
THE vessels sighted each other when
far apart. The Empress of Ireland was
seen off the port bow of the Storstad
The Empress of Ireland's green, or
starboard light, was visible to those on
the storstad Under these circum-
stances the rules CT the navigation gave
the Storstad the right of way.
1.-The heading of the Empress was then
changed in such a manner as to put
the vessels in a position to pass safely.
Shortly after fog enveioped first the
Empress and then the Storstad
Fog signals We're exchanged the
Storstads engines were at once slow
ed and then stopped. Her heading re-
manned unaltered. Whistles from the
Empress were heard on the Storstads
port bow and were answered. The
Empress of Ireland was then seen
through the fog, close at hand on the
port bow of the Storstad. She was
showing her green light and was max
ing considerable Roadway.
THE engines of the Storstad were
at once reversed at full speed and her
Roadway was nearly checked when the
vessels came together. 1T has been
said that the Storstad should not have
backed out Of the hole made by the
collision. She did not do so. AS the
vessels came together the Storstads
engines were ordered ahead for the
purpose of holding her bow against
the side of the Empress and thus pre-
venting the entrance of water into the
vessel.
THE Roadway of the Empress, how
ever, swung the Storstad around IN
such way as to twist the Storstads
bow out of the hole and to bend the
bow itself over to port.
THE Empress at once disappeared
in the fog. The Storstad sounded her
whistle repeatedly in an effort to To-
cate the Empress of Ireland, but could
obtain no indication of her where-
abouts until cries were heard. Inc
Storstad was then naneuvred as close
to the Empress as was safe IN view
of the danger of injury to the persons
who were already in the water.
1.-THE Storstad at once lowered eV-
ery one of her boats and sent theih
TO save the passengers ana crew Oh
the Empress, though she herself was
in serious danger Of sinking. Wneh
two boats from the Empress reached
the Storstad the Storstads men Also
manned these boats and went 10 the
rescue. Her own boats made several
trims. and in all about $50 persons
were taken on board ana everything
that the ships store contained was
used for their comfort. Clothes on the
Storstad were placed on the rescued
and every assistance was rendered
..T,he stories which have appeared
in the press indicating that there was
the slightest delay on the part or the
Storstad in rendering prompt ana Ell
fcient aid is cruel injustice TO tne
captafn, who did not hesitate TO SEND
out every boat he had, in spite OF the
desperate condition Of his own ship.
THE owners of the Storstad IN
for mthe public in fairness to both
vessels and commanders judgment as
IN where hte blame for the terrible
disaster should be suspended until an
imnortial tribunal heard the evidence
of both sides.
No inconvenience will be caused by
the arrest, as in the meantime the
collier VIII be unfolding her cargo
and re-loading.