Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-06-01

OF an anchor projecting from the
twisted bow of the Norwegian collier
Storstad may explain why that YES
sci did such terrible execution wher
she rammed the Empress of Ireland
early last Friday morning in the
lower st. Lawrence river. An exami
nation today of the Golfers shattered
plates revealed the anchor jammed in
a position where it could have ripped
through the hull of the Empress like
a great can opener. The anchor point
and portions of the shattered steel
surrounding it bore stains of blood.
Preparations were begun here today
for inquiry into the accident which
cost at present estimates 969 lives.
The inquiry will be conducted by a
Joint committee of Canadian and
British shipping experts. The ar
ramgements for the inquiry, which
will be held either here or in Quebec,
are being made by Captain Lindsay,
dominion wreck commissioner.
Pilot Nault, who navigated the Stor-
stad up the ST. Lawrence from Que
bee, said today that Captain Anderson
told him that Anderson, his first Of
ficer 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" contin-
ued Nault, I'VE held an examination
to ascertain the extent of the damage
done to the Storstad. AS far as we
could learn 20 plates forward had
been sprung, but aft of that the ship
was undamaged and en- route to Que
bee the Storstad took in so much
water we were obliged to flood the
aft compartments in order to keep
the ships bow up. There was no
water in the hold of the Storstad.
Captain Anderson is 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 Anderson told me
ne 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 at first thought the ship
had struciSsa rocke9I ran to the deck
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 We're Immediately lower
ed and there was not man on the
Storstad 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 ta.en into the en-
gine room, the war1nest place on
board Some of the survivors had
been so numbed by the ice cold water
that they leaned up against the cyl
inders of the engine until their flesh
was blistered"
Mrs. Anderson, wife Of the captain
Of the Storstad. told her story today.
she saidsthe captain was called from
his bed Thursday night by the mate
because it was foggy. Her husband
called her to come on deck and while
she was dressing the collision took
place.
Il ran up to the bridge where Cap
tain Anderson was,v said Mrs. Ander-
son. Everything was quiet and dark.
There was no excitement among the
crew and was cool. / stayed on the
bridge and asked CapiNin Anderson:
Are we going to sink?'
"I think So, he answered.
Il could not cry, although felt like
it. I said to myself, My place is here
and will die with my husband Cap
tain Anderson told me he was trying
to keep the Storstad in the hold, and