The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-23
Admits Refusal of Firemen
Partly Responsible for
Vestris Sinking.
PANIC BEFORE S O S CALL
EngIiShman'S Affidavit Tells
How He Saw Captain
Go to Death.
BY HARRY FERGUSON
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
NEW YORK, Nov. 23-Stories of
how the engine room crew of the
Vestris mutineed when danger was
imminent, of general confusion on
board the vessel hours before the
SOS was sent, and of inefficient
launching of life boats were told to
two federal courts of inquiry today.
Charles H. Tuttle, United States
district attorney, was so well salts
fed with the information presented
today at his inquiry that he said he
would call no more passengers to
testify.
Three witnesses this morning gave
the most damaging testimony thus
far.
AT the commerce department
hearing before Commissioner Fran
ces O'Neill, John S. Adams testified
that Negro members of the engine
room crew mutineed at least two
hours before the Vestris went down
and that their mutiny probably was
to an extent responsible for the
sinking of that ship off Virginia
Capes, almost two weeks ago.
No Efficiency Shown
At the district attorneys inquiry,
an affidavit from Edward Miles
Wallcott was read and H. G. w.
JoNnstone testified concerning the
general confusion and the apparent
inability of officers to meet the sit
uation. Both Wallcott and John
stone were passengers on the
Vestris.
Would you say that Sunday aft
ernoon or Monday morning any per-
son in direct command had an eff
cient organization to meet the
emergency" Johnstone was asked
by Captain E. p lessor, American
naval expert at the hearing.
mo, sir" JohnStone said.
Officers Took Posts
Adams testified that the Off
GERS of the Vestris had to take
the flremen's posts. The officers
WCIC bDlC 70 WO1h Ill bllC Cll6llAC
room only about thirty minutes as
the water was coming in at such a
rate as to make further work i'm
possible.
''The firemen refused to remain
at their posts because they were so
frightened" Adams said.
Under severe cross questioning,
Adams testified he did not have his
gun with him and that even if he
had it, he had no ammunition and,
therefore, could not attempt to con-
troll the "black gang" by force.
Don't you think that mutiny of
the black gang contributed greatly
to the loss of the ship?" he was
asked.
ct did to certain extent" the
chief engineer replied.
Use ForcefuI Commands
''Just what direct and forceful
action did you take to get the black
gang to work?" he was asked by
Dickenson N. Hoover, who was con-
ducting the examination.
"I directed the firingand hurried
the coal to the stoke hold"
did you use forceful commands?"
"Yes."
did any member of the crew
threaten you?"
mo"
"When you were disobeyed, you
let it go at that2"
ST did everything to persuade
them to keep steam up. told them
that if this was done, everything
would be all right"
AS early as z a.. M, Monday,
Wallcott asserted, passengers were
appearing on the decks in their life
belts and running back and forth in
search of accurate information.
Wallcott told how stewards passed
among the passengers and at
tempted to prevail upon them to
discard their belts.
Describes Captains Death
"Why the life belts-there is no
danger" he quoted one of the
stewards as saying. At the time the
boat was listing to such an extent
that it was impossible to stand
erect without support.
Walcott described graphically the
last sight he had of Captain Will
liam j. Carey, who went down with
his ship.
with regard to Captain Carey,
my recollection of him is on the
hurricane deck giving directions to
No. 6 boat, which had been stove
in while being lowered" the affidavit
read.
"I distinctly remember his voice
was so hoarse I could not under
stand what he was saying, and on
his last order his voice broke alto
gether.
when was carried down with
the ship and came up to the sur
face again, saw the captain not
six feet away from me in the water.
He was still wearing his heavy over
coat and he wore no life belt.
HE went down at once and did
not come up"
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