Evening star., 1928-11-14
A Needless Tragedy.

What a few hours ago appeared to
be a happy escape from disaster in the
case of the steamship Vestris now
with fuller information develops into a
ghastly tragedy, the more shocking be-
cause apparently needless. Whereas
yesterday it was indicated that all the
ships company had been saved, now
it is evident that more than hui lrod
have lost their lives, mainly. it is 5ug-
gested, in the sudden sinking of the
ship while she was being abandoned.
While no positive light is thrown
upon the cause of the disaster, it be-
gins to appear that the Vestris left port
last Saturday with badly trimmed cargo.
Two of the survivors are reported as
declaring that when she put to sea
the ship had a noticeable list to"star-
board and that this list increased stead
lily as way was made down the coast.
This may have been caused by the con-
slant shifting of the cargo or by the
taking in of water through some un-
detected leak. due perhaps to sprung
plate. Or it may have been the
consequence of a structural peculiar
ity. When the cargo-shifting theory
was advanced yesterday it was doubted,
inasmuch as the freight carried by the
Vestris was of miscellaneous charac-
ter such as would not be subject to
movement. But the fact stands that
the ship left port with decks atilt and
that the list increased until it reached
the danger point. In this case a very
grave responsibility rests upon the own
ers and managers for permitting the
ship to leave port out of trim.
The first call of distress from the
Vestris was sent by radio at 1929 Mon
day morning. 1t said merely that she
was in trouble. A few minutes later,
at 1852, the following message went
forth from her: Last night developed
32-degree list to starboard; decks under
water; ship lying on beam ends; i'm
possible to proceed anywhere; sea mod
erately rough"
This message indicates that the ship
had listed decidedly to the danger point
on the night preceding the call for help.
A vessel that is 80 deg ces off balance
is in peril. The distress call should
have been sent twelve hours at least
before it was dispatched. It is pain
fully evident that bad judgment was
used on the Vestris in respect to the
degree of danger. Decision to abandon
ship was not reached until after help
was summoned and before any aid ar
rived. The word Getting lifeboats out
now" did not go forth until II: 40, or
an hour and eleven minutes after the
first S o S. It was 1:17 when the word
flashed, Cant wait any longer; going
to abandon" Five minutes later came
the message, the last that was received,
Nov taking to lifeboats." BY that time
many ships were on the way to the
VeStris, but none could reach her for
several hours.
The Vestris should have been turned
back to port on Sunday when it became
evident that the list was increasing. Had
she done so she would have been saved.
But, failing change of course, the call
for help should have been sent out
twelve hours before it flashed. The
captain of the ship, it is now known,
went down with the Vestris, SO he can
not be held to account for any fault
Of Judgment that may have contributed
to this evidently needless tragedy. But
some others there must be upon whom
rests the responsibility for sending the
ship to sea in bad condition.