The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-06-05


the bodies that have been recovered
have been shipped from RimousH.
How Disaster Happened.
Montreal.-The other side OF the
story of the collision in the st. Law
renee between the Canadian Pacific
liner Empress of Ireland and the Nor
wegian collier Storstad, which result
ed In the sinking OF the liner with the
loss of more than 800 lives, Is now
told for the first time. The master
of the Storstad denies the charge that
he was responsible for the disaster.
Captain II. G. Kendall of"the EN-
press of Ireland in his testimony be-
fore the Coroner at Rimouski placed
the blame for the crash upon the col
lier, charging the Norwegian steamer
had been warned amply by the sig
nails OF the Empress's presence, but
had run the liner down while the EN-
press virtually was stationary.
Storstad Captains Version.
He also charged that his plea that
the collier keep her bow in the gash
1t had made in the side OF the liner
had been disregarded with apparent
deliberation, causing the Empress TO
fill rapidly and sink within few min
utes.
Captain Thomas Andersen OF the
Storstad had remained silent on the
subject of the collision until reaching
Montreal, his destination. After ne
had made a report to representatives
of the Dominion Coal Company, char
terers OF the vessel, and OF the own
ers of the steamers, a statement based
on his declarations to them was given
out.
The Storstad Statement.
The statement is as follows:
"The fact that the Storstad has on
ly now reached port has made 1t I'M
possible heretofore to give an authen-
tic statement on her behalf. All con-
nected with the Storstad deplore most
deeply the terrible accident which has
resulted in the loss Of so many valu-
able lives. 1t Is not with any desire
to condemn others, but simply be-
cause It is felt that the public Is enti-
tied to know the facts that the fol-
lowing statement is put forward:
"The vessels sighted each other
when far apart. The Empress or Ire
land was seen off the port bow OF
the Storstad. The Empress or Ire
lands green, or starboard, light was
visible TO those on the Storstad. Un-
der these circumstances the rules or
navigation gave the Storstad the right
of way.
Fog Hides Vessels.
"The heading of the Empress was
then changed in such a manner as TO
put the vessels in a position to pass
safely. Shortly after fog enveloped
first the Empress and then the Stor-
stad.
"Fog signals were exchanged, the
Storstads engines were at once slow
ed and then stopped. Her heading re-
NAMED unaltered. Whistles from the
Empress were heard on the Storstad
| port bow and were answered. The En-
| press OF Ireland was then seen through
| the fog. close at hand on the port bow
| of the Storstad. She was showing her
| green light and was making consid-
| erable headway.
"The engines Of the Storstad were
| ut once reversed at full speed and her
headway was nearly checked when
| the vessels came together.
"It has been said that the Storstad
should not have backed out OF the hole
made by the collision. She did not do
| so AS the vessels came together the
| Storstad's engines were ordered ahead
| for the purpose Of holding her bow
against the side OF the Empress and
thus preventing the entrance of wa
ter into the vessel.
Storstad's Bow Pulled Out.
"The headway OF the Empress, how
ever. swung the Storstad around In
such a way as to twist the Storstada
bow out Of the hole, and TO bend the
bow itself over 10 port.
"The Empress at once disappeared
in the fog. The Storstad sounded her
whistle repeatedly in an effort to 10
cate the Empress OF Ireland, but
could obtain no indication OF hel
whereabouts until cries were heard
The Storstad was then maneuvred as
close to the Empress as was safe, In
view Of the danger OF injury to the
persons already in the water. The
Storstad at once lowered every one
OF her boats and sent them TO save
the passengers and crew OF the En-
press. though she herself was In a ser
ious danger OF sinking. When two
boats from the Empress reached the
Storstad the Storstads men also man
ned these boats and went in then
TO the rescue. Her own boats made
several trips. and in all about $50 per
sons were taken on board, and every
thing that the ships stores contained
was used for their comfort Clothes
of those on the Storstad were p'ace'
at the disposal OF the rescued, and ev
cry assistance was rendered.
Denies storstad Delayed.
"The statements which have appear
ed In the press indicating that Their
was the slightest delay on the part O