Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-06-01
SHARP POINT OF STEEL REsPoN.
sIeLE FOR TERRIBLE HOLE IN
EMPRESS OF IRELAND.
CAPTAIN ANDERSEN, OF
sroRsTAp, DENIES CHARGES
Says Hs was Not to Blame For Col.
lision and Had Right Of Way - De.
nies Ship Was Backed Away From
Empress-Risid Inquiry Into Appai.
ling Disaster to Bs Made.


Of an anchor projecting from the
twisted bow Of the Norwegian collier
Storstad may explain why that vessel
did such terrible execution when she
rammed the Empress OF Ireland early
last Friday morning in the lower ST.
Lawrence. An examination today OF
the GOLFERS shattered plates revealed
the anchor jammed in a position where
it could have ripped thru the hull OF
the Empress like a great can-opener.
The anchor point and portions of the
battered steel bore stains of blood.
Preparations were begun here today
for the inquiry into the disaster which
cost at present reckoning $50 lives.
The inquiry will be conducted by a
joint commission Of Canada and Brit
ish shipping experts. The arrange
ments for the inquiry which will be
either here or in Quebec are being made
by Captain Lindsay, dominion wreck
commissioner.
storstad Pilot 1.iks.
Pilot Nault, who navigated the Stor-
stad up the ST. Lawrence from Quebec.
said today that Captain Andersen told
him that his first officer and pilot
Lechance. who brought the Storstad
from Father Point to Quebec, were on
the bridge at the time of the collision.
"On the way up the river continued
Nault, "an examination was made to
ascertain the extent OF the damage
done to the Storstad. AS far as we
could learn twenty plates forward had
been sprung. but aft Of that the ship
was undamaged. At Quebec the Stor-
stad took in 50 much water we were
obliged to food the aft compartment In
order 70 keep the ships bow up. There
was no water in the hold Of the Stor-
stad.
Andersen Told Not 20 Talk
Captain Andersen il deeply grieved
over the tragedy. Several times dur
ing the trip from Quebec came upon
him crying. with his face buried in his
hands. Captain Andersen told me he
had been instructed not to talk about
the accident
One of the officers Of the Storstad
said today:
"At the time Of the disaster was
lying in my bunk. was awakened by
a shock and frst thought the ship
ndQ SCEuCk a EOChs IdN " tLS oSSN
and looked over the side. The Stor-
stad was going full speed astern. The
water around was filled with strug-
Cling men and women shouting for
help. Boats were Immediately lowered
and there was not man on the Stor-
stad who did not do his utmost to help
rescue the people in the water. We In
the boats brought the survivors to the
deck OF the Storstad. From there
they were taken into the engine room
the warmest place on board. Some OF
the survivors had been no numbed by
the ice cold water that they leaned
against the cylinders of the engines
until their flesh was blistered.'
Inquiry 70 Be Held in Quebec.
The government investigation Of the
sinking of the Empress Of Ireland will
be held in Quebec. and will begin
Thursday June 9. This announcement
was made today at the offices Of the
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
owners Of the lost vessel.
The investigation will be conducted
by board composed Of two judges
of the Canadian admiralty. to be ap-
pointed by the dominion government,
and one representative Of the British
admiralty. appointed by the imperial
government.