New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-16
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ISSUES Statement
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e~~SS0 " AIit9AAv .
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agents Of the line.
A representative Of David Cook,
, vice president of Sanderson and Son,
said that all such messages could be
put on one piece OF paper and that
none had been received on Monday.
Asks Navy Mans Statement
Mr.. futile has also wired the de-
partment Of justice at Washington
asking that the statement of the
executive officer of the U. S. s.
Wyoming, based on testimony of
survivors picked up by the battle-
ship. be sent to him as soon as pos
sibls together with the survivors,
statements
futile conferred this morning with
five Of his assistants OF the criminal
division whom he has assigned to
the investigation.
Capt. Sorous0n Testifles
Captain Frederick sorenson. HIM
self ships master who was rescued
in the Vestris disaster. testified that
~ far a. he knew the liners life
boats had BEEN in first class condi-
ton and that they contained the
prescribed equipment
Sorenson said he was in a boat
that sank Immediately after striking
the water. but the sinking, he as
serted. resulted from damage done
to the life craft when it struck the
side Of the Vestris in being lowered.
The witness thought the Vestris'
crew probably launched the boats as
efficiently as was possible in view Of
the time at their disposal. The life
belts. he said. were in good working
order.
Sorenson denied he had said on
arriving here that the liners boats
were rotten" and Improperly
equipped. or that he crew had been
cowardly before the vessel sank.
His testimony. given at the GUS
toms house, was heard by Captain
@. T. Charlton and William H.
Powers, members OF the inspection
service board.
Call Came Too Late
High naval authorities at Wash
inston generally expressed perplex-
ity today over the cause OF the sink
ing OF the steamship Vestris.
Secretary Wilbur voiced regret
that Captain William ]. Carey of the
Vestris had not earlier called for as
sistance. and Admiral Charles F..
Hughes, chief Of naval operations,
was OF the opinion that had Carey
sent his o s. call ~ hours earlier,
every person aboard could have been
saved.
When he learned Of the ships
list to starboard and its quick sink
Ing, Admiral Hughes told fellow Of
ficers that the vessel acted as II it
were "a victim OF free water" wash
ing about in its interior.
Error Of Judgment
In the opinion Of Rear Admiral
David w. Taylor. retired. one Of the
worlds foremost naval construction
experts, the Vestris disaster likely
was due to an "error Of Judgment"
by Captain Carey. He cautioned
against condemning the captain.
however, until all the facts were
available.
Criticism Of the crew. Taylor said,
Tor alleged mishandling Of the life
boats should be made only with
consideration Of the knowledge that
the Vestris was listing at a sharp
angle when the boats were launched.
Il do not know Of any crew
aboard any ship that could launch
boats in a high sea and with a ves-
sci listing at such a degree as the
Vestris was without encountering
great difficulty" he said.
Rear Admiral W. H. STANDBY, as.
sistant chief OF naval operations
said that Captain Carey probably
firmly believed that he could keep
the ship ahoat or he would not have
hesitated to send the call. He added,
however, that conditions aboard the
vessel should have prompted Carey
to at least notify ships in his vicinity
of his ships condition.
Tells Of Leak
John Boxil, negro member Of the
dre-room crew OF the sunken LAM
port & Holt liner vestris, testified
under oath that a leak in the ash
hopper and a smashed port in a
coal door which turned a 1l-inch
stream Of water into the ship were
among the leading factors contribut-
Ing to the loss Of the vessel.
The statement was made to Cap
tain J. T. Hanlon. United States
steamboat inspector. who conducted
an inquiry at the Naval hospital at
Portsmouth where the survivors who
were brought in on the battleship
Wyoming were taken for medical
attention.
First Six to Testify
six survivors of the Vestris. al,
passengers. were questioned in the
first day OF the hearing.
Among their charges were:
That there were general incom-
petence and lack Of discipline
among officers and crew.
That two filled boats were left
hanging In their davits and were
carried down with the ship.
That no orders were issued to don
Hfebelts and that no competent Off
GERS were assigned to lifeboats.
That some lifeboats were improp-