The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-06-01
that the Empress disappeared from
I the Storstads view
Andersen's Statement

that the Empress disappeared from
the Storstads view
Andersen's Statement.
The statement Is as follOws.
me TACT that the Storstad has only
today reached port has made II impos-
Hible heretofore to give an athletic
statement on her behalf All connected
with the Storstad deplore most deeply
the terrible accident which has re-
suited In the loss of so many valuable
lives. II II nO' with any desire TO
condemn others. but simply because
II IL felt that 'he public Is entitled 10
know the facts that the following
statement Is put forward
The vessels sighted each other
when far apart The Empress of Ire
land Was seen OF the port bow OF the
Storstad. The Empress of Ireland's
green, or starboard. light was visible
20 those on the StOrstad Under these
circums tanccs. the rules OF navigation
gave tho Storstad the right Of way
The heading OF the Empress was
then changed in such a manner as TO
put the vessel In position 20 pass
safely. Shortly after fog enveloped
first the Empress. and then the Stor-
stad.
Fog signals we're exchanged. the
Storsfud's engines were az once slowed
and then stopped Her heading re-
NAMED unaltered.
Whistles from the Empress We're
heard on the Stnrstad port bow and
were answered. The Empress OF Ire
land was then seen through the fog
close at hand on the port bow OF the
StOrstad. She was showing her green
light and was making considerable
Roadway.
The engines OF the Storstad were
al once reversed at fun speed and her
Roadway was nearly checked when
the vessels came together.
IT 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 to-
gether. the Storstad's engines were
ordered ahead for the purpose Of hold
ing her bow against the side Of the
Empress and thus preventing the en-
trance OF water into the vessel
Swung Storstad Around.
The hcadway of the Empress. how
ever. swung the Storstad around in
such way as to twist the Storstad's
bow out Of the hole and to bend the
bows over To port
The Empress az once disappeared
In fog. The Storstad sounded her
whistle repeatedly In an effort TO 10
cate the Empress OF Ireland. but
could obtain no indication of her
whereabout until cries were heard.
! me Storstad was then manOuvered as
close 10 the Empress as was safe in
view OF the danger OF injury to the
persons who We're already in the
water.
The Storstad al once lowered sv.
cry one Of her boats and sent them 10
cave the passengers and crew of the
impress, though she herself was in
serious danger OF sinking When two
hoats from the Empress reached the
Storstad. the StOrstad's men also
manned these boats and went in them
1.
several trims and i'm all about $50 per
sons were taken on board. and every.
I thinE that the ships stores contained
was used Tor their comfort Clothes
OF these on the St1-stad werc placed
at the disposal Of the rescued and cv-
cry assistance was rendered
The statements which have an.
p"arcd in the press. Indicating that
. there was the slightest delay on tho
I part Of the S'orstld In rendering
. prompt and efficient aid. do "a cruel in.
justice TO tno captain. who did not
I hesitate 10 send out every boat no.
I had, ln spite OF the desperate condi-
uon Of bis own ship.
Suspension OF judgement.
The owners Of the StOrstad ask OF
I the public that In all fairness 10 both
I vessels and their commanders. iudr.
I mont as 20 where tho blame for Tho
1 tern BILE disaster should rest. be- 4u,
I pended until an impartial tribunal
/ has heard tho evidence az both sides H
Inc seizure ~ tho Storstad was no
III" instance Of tho Canadian Pacific
Railway Company whose claim
-Hin-t Tho owners of tln collier. thf
. Maritime Sioamzhip Company Of Nor
& way. is Tor g. 600 600 loss There mas
D., further claim by the Canadian
i racine Railway Company FOR tho loss
Of Tho cargo The owners Of tho Stor
AL end