Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-31
Marine Engineers Story.

James RANKIN. a passenger lIoui >''h-
couver. B. c.. and a marine engineer
said:
II was aroused by the noise and ran
out. There was big pitch to the deck.
really cannot tell YOU how the acct
dent occurred. heard the whistle blow
when l reached the deck. There was a
heavy fog and you could hardly see fifty
yards. Five minutes after the collision
the fog lifted. The boats on the lower
side were in the water and four or 1--WE
of them got away and saved many people.
Il think that if the collier had kept
her bow in the hole she had made in the
Irelands side she would have been able
to make the shore and probably have
saved every one.
The behavior of the officers on the
Empress was beyond all praise. They did
everything they could. The engineers re-
manned below until they could get no
more steam and the lights went out.
Story Taken at Bedside.
Chief Engineer Sampson. who remained
in the engine room until the fires were
drowned and the lights extinguished, was
too ill to appear, and his testimony was
taken at his bedside.
II was in the engine room until the
lights went out and there was no more
steam he said. Il mad great difficulty
in reaching the decks, owing to the great
list of the ship. No sooner had | got
on deck when the boats of the port side
which had broken loose, swept down on
top of us and carried US under water.
When | came to the surface found my
self under life boat and entangled in
wreckage. 1 was finally pulled into some
one of the boats and could see the coiher
about mile and half away lmme.
diately before the collision we went full
speed astern and then stopped. Then !
got the order full speed ahead. but had
only started the engines when the crash
came We then kept her fun. speed ahead
to try to reach the shore as long as we
had steam. Owing to the steam failing
u.s. and then the lights also, We could
keep the engines going for only few
minutes.
There was no explosion of any kind.
saw no reason why the collier old NOT
keep much closer than she did. as. II
she had there would have been many
lives saved. l am also of the opinion
that had she stuck to US we should
have reached the shore.
Empress Only Reply.
William James, wireless operator AT
Father Point. told of being awakened
by his assistant at 1865 am, by the
news that the Empress had been IN
collision with another ship. he then
LOOK charge anu loT Ill ucu thC "oiN ~
the Lady Evelyn and Eureka The En-
press gave no reply further than to
say that she was twenty miles from
Rimouski.
Capt BelanSer of the Eureka told OF
the trip he had made to the scene of
the wreck He was not sure on his hrSt
trip of the exact position where she
had sunk On the second however, ne
could tell from the boiling up from be-
meath of the muddy water where the
wrecked vessel lay He told of gather
ing what bodies he could lind.
Inquiry Is Adjourned.
After a moments deliberation by the
jury it was decided to adjourn the in
quiry for one week. In the meantime
Coroner Pinault will consult with the
district attorney with the purpose of de-
termining what may he done toward Sc
curing the evidence of the captain and
crew of the Storstad. which arrived at
Quebec today and proceeded TO Montreal
to land her cargo
During the day Coroner Pinault gave an
order for the removal of all the bodies
that had been brought ashore Relatives
who had identified bodies were allowed
to remove them and the others were
taken to Quebec
At ) o'clock this afternoon the Canadian
government steamer Lady Grey with en-
signs half -masted left here for Quebec
bearing Ia, bodies in collins. No other
bodies have been found ard ii is be-
lieved that the greater number Of those
lost were imprisoned inside the hull Of
the Empress