The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-17
SAYS THE STORSYAD
CHANGED HER COURSE
Capt. Kendall Tcstifies lie
Stopped Empress, Expecting
Collier to Pass.
DISASTER INQUIRY BEGINS
Golfers First Officer Disputes
Shippers Testimony Re-
garding Signals.

QUEBEC, June 16.-The cross-examina-
ton OF Capt. Kendall of the Ill fatod EN-
press OF Ireland by G. 8. Haight of New
York. counsel in chief for the owners OF
the collier Storstad; the statement by
Capt. Kendall that the Storstad changed
II r course after the fog had enveloped
the two ships. and the counter hypothesis
of Mr.. Haight that the collier kept
straight on, but that the Empress stopped
across her bows. were the salient con-
tributions at the first days session Of
the official commissions inquiry.
Cant. Kendall. answering Mr.. Haight.
said he dropped his pilot at Father Point
little more than mile from the dock.
After he sighted the Stors:ad no changed
his course to north ~ east magnetic.
When the fog camo between the two ves-
sells he stopped The change would tend
TO take him nearer to tho Storstad He
heard the whistles of the Storstad and
thought he could rely upon his opinion
that they came from the starboard. be-
cause there was no wind.
Mr. Haight asked how II was that
when he saw the green light of the
Storstad and tho Empress was showing
her green light lie stopped. Capt.
Kendall said that when he saw the fog
| coming he thought IL his duty to stop
as safeguard. The collier had evil
IDENTIFY changed her course.
stops in Two Lengths.
Mr.. Halght then took Capt. Kendall
/ through evidence about the distance in
which the Empress could be pulled up. his
/ questions seeming TO show his theory
] that she could not be pulled up In two
! ship lengths, as the captain had testi-
/ ned earlier. The witness stood uawaveT-
/ ingly by the results OF a test which ne
: eaid he made off the Welsh coast on his
hrst trip In the Empress. The captain
denied that the Empress steered hard and
said he never heard that her rudder had
been changed because of this.
IN answer TO Lord Mersey Capt. Ken
dali said that tt last three OF the water
tight COMPARING nts must have been ex
posed 10y the collision, and expressed tbs
opinion that the Empress was rammed II
the boiler room. because. following thu
impact, n tremendous sheet OF fame cam
from her.
Asked what orders he had given whei
nc saw the Storstad close at hand Capt
Kendall said he shouted to the Storsta,
for full speed astern. at the same TIM
ringing his engines for full speed ahead
He also ordered the helm hard aport an
sent an officer to get out the boats. TIL
Storstad struck about the same tim
Capt. Kendall's telegraph rang in tn
engine room for full speed ahead.
You gave great neay orders In 81
seconds" was Lord Mersey's comment.
Mr.. Haight: when you met Capt. Al
dersen on the Storstad. did you drop o
bench and say: i wish TO God | ha
been going Eastern
Capt. Kendall: mo: Capt Andorse
sadi that had been going full speed. an
I said Il wish l had. because then 20
would never have hit me-"
George ]. Gibson. representing III
Sailors and Firemen's Union. examine
Capt. Kendall as to the number of abb
bodied seamen among the crew. claimhi
that there were only eighteen. Capt. KeI
dali said that there were enough eficler
men 10 handle the boats. and that the
did their duty. not seeking 10 save then
, selves. Boat drill had been called
Quebec. according 10 regulations.
, Lord Mersey: II. instead OF stopping
YOU had gone ahead. this calamity woul
not have happened?
|, Capt. Kendall: No, not II the otht
vessel had kept on her course, but wa
,, carrying out the rules of the road b
, waiting until she passed us.