Abbeville progress., 1914-06-06
CAPTAIN OF THE STORSTAD De
CLARED HE DID NOT BACK
AWAY FROM EMPRESS.
SAYS COLLIER DID STAND BY
Claims Sinking Steamer Swung From
Collier in Fog, But Storstad's
Boats Rescued $50 Passengers
of the Empress of ireland.

line in mute evidence of the tragedy
in which she figured, the collier
Storstad limped into the harbor Sun
day.
According to the captain and OIL
GERS the Storstad did not back away
after the collision with the Empress
of Ireland. On the contrary, she
steamed ahead in an effort to keep ,
her bow in the hole she had dug into |
the side of the Empress.
The Empress, however, according 10
the Storstad's officers, headed away |
and bent the Storstad's bow over at
an acute angle to port. After that the
Empress was hidden from the view OF
the Storstad and despite the fact that
the Storstad kept her whistle blowing,
she could not locate the Empress until
the cries of some of the victims IN
the water were heard.
Captain Andersen denied he moved
a mile or so away from the Empress
after his vessel struck the liner. Ihe
Storstad had not moved. 1t was the
Empress which had changed position,
| he declared.
According to the report made by
! CAPTAIN Andersen to the owners, I'M
mediately after the collision occurred
he heard Captain Kendall shout, call
ing on him not to pull away
"I won't" shouted the Storstads
captain as loud as he could. After that
the Empress disappeared from the
Storstad's view.
The statement issued declared that
the Storstad's boats were immediate
ly lowered despite her serious condl-
ton. and $50 persons from the En-
nrass of Ireland we're saved by the
Storstad seamen.
Storstad Version Given.
The statement reads:
"The fact that the Storstad has only
today reached port has made II I'M
possible heretofore TO give an au'
/. thentic statement in her behalf. All
connected with the Storstad deplore
most deeply the terrible accldeh'
, which has resulted in the lost OF sc
@ manv valuable lives. 1t is not with
G any desire to condemn others but sim
o DIV before it is felt that the public Ii
z entitled to know the facts that the
l. following statement is put forward:
The vessels sighted each othe
s when far apart. The Empress OF Ire
\ land was seen off the port bow OF tn
# Storstad. The Empress of Ireland
o green or starboard light was vlslDl
~ IN those on the Storstad.
Claimed Right of Way.
a. "JJnder these circumstances tn
rules of navigation gave the Storsta
the right of way.
"The heading of the Empress the
was changed in such manner as I
oi nut the vessels in a position to pas
- safely. Shortly after fog envelope
I'll first the Empress and then the Sto
stad.
~ Fog signals were exchanged, IN
g. Storstad's engines were at once sloN
1t ed and then stopped. Her heading r
ne mained unaltered. Whistles from II
III Empress were heard on the Storstad
ie port bow and we're at once answere
W. The Empress of Ireland then was SEE
through the fog close at hand on Il
port bow of the Storstad. She VI
showing her green light and was ma
e ing considerable headway.
sh "The engines of the Storstad we
ne at once reversed at full speed and d
Oh headway was nearly checked when t
on' vessels came together.
lie Tried to Close Hole.
drl | .,x. oo;d StOrSt
ISIS should not have backed out of the M
mp made by the collision. She did not
lie so. As the vessels came together
am Storstad's engines were ordered abe
to hold her bow against the side
the Empress and thus prevent the
trance of water into the vessel.
IN "The headway of the Empress. M
anu ever. swung the Storstad around
Iur- such a way as to twist the Storsta
was bow out of the hole.
1er "The Empress at once disappea
saw in the fog. The Storstad sounded
whistle repeatedly in an effort TO
cate the Empress, but could obtain
indication of her, whereabouts u
on cries were heard. The Storstad t
In was maneuvered as closf to the
fel- nress as was safe in view of the
Is ger of injury to the persons who
ING. in the water.
Sent Her Boats to Aid.
"The Storstad at once lowered e'
,,tz one of her boats and sent them
New save the passengers and crew OF
!, Of EMPRESS. though she herself. was
ono serious danger of sinking. When
no, boats from the Empress reached
Storstad. the Storstad's men also
ned these boats and went in ther
the rescue.
,pte. "Her own boats made several t
,bile and in all about $50 persons
Alex taken on board and everything
lblic the ships stores contained was
Miss por their comfort.
ired. "The statements which have apl
ed in the press indicating that
\ was the slightest delay on the pa
"a. the Storstad in rendering prompt
w" ~ efficient aid do a cruel injustic
way the captain, who did not hesital
'recK send out every boat he had IN
ID in of the desperate condition of his
1ouis ship"
May Warrant of Arrest Nailed.