New Britain herald., 1928-11-21
VES7RIS SENIOR
 OFFICER TESTIf|ES

(Continued from First Page) Henry McConkey, the British expert acting, as adviser at the hearing. had made several suggestions which he approved.
 To Call Other Captain
 Captain McConkey suggested call ing as witness the master of the Nestris who preceded the late Cap- tain William Carey who went down with Shis ship. The mans name. it was learned is Banora.
 He also advised offering the Lam- port and Holt Line. owners Of the Nestris, the opportunity to place on the stand any of their officials or employees they wished with view to esta blishing the cause of the dis aster, which cost more than 100 lives. to place the responsibility for it, and to determine if the ship was in proper condition to go to sea on its last voyage.
 An official of the line. who was present at the hearing, said he would produce such men, and to- morrow was set for their testimony. Johnson testified that he knew of no instance in which the releasing apparatus was successfully used.
 Was there motor lifeboat on the Vestris ?" Futile asked.
 "Yes"
 ''What was its capacity?"
 Thirty
 Why did so few people get into ito''
 There were SO few about at the time. This boat was launched from the starboard side.''
 There has been testimony that the engine of the motor boat did not run. Do you know why?'
 No Engineer In Boat
 T suppose because there was no engineer in it.
 Was any engineer designated to that beat in case of disastero"
 "I think it was the second engi. neer. who went down with Nhe ship"
 Captain McConkey and Captain E. T. Jessup, the American adviser then took up the questioning. Jessup asked Johnson if he had noticel previously tendency of the ship to list Johnson said there was a swimming tank on the starboard side that held several tons of water and that when the tank was full the Nestris had a slight list, but at no other times (By Jessup) "Dil you inspect the ship before she sailed?"
 Condition Was Good
 "fes-when she was in dry dock"
 What was her condition?"
 Good"
 Before leaving port did you in- spect the ship?"
 "Ycs."
 Did you inspect the coal ports?" "1es-I looked over the side and saw that they were closed"
 Why did the vessel hove to Sum- day noono"
 Because of the wind. She wouldn't steer.'
 Did you actually know why the captain hove to Sunday"
 No"
 No Serious List
 Further questions by Captain Jes- sup brought out that when Johnson said the ship could not be steered sunday noon. he meant she could not be held 10 her course. Johnson said that whatever list the Vestris had up until Sunday night was due only to wind-that she had no per- nlanent list. It was list of about degrees, he said, and it did not increase between noon and D. m. Sunday.
 At 7:30 Sunday night you say the ship took heavy lurch?" Captain Jessup said. Did she come back?" No" Why noto"
 Her cargo shifted"
 After the lurch at 7:3O the list
  was not more than 10 degrees?" Yes"
 "When the ship did not come back after the lurch. it was noticeable?" Yes
 Would you have noticed two de- grees?"
 "No-it must have been more" After the list increased, what did you do about it?''
 Worked On Leaky Door "I was working on the half door that leaked" Do you mean to tell me- Jes- sup said. that enough water came through that half door as waves struck it occasionally, to make the ship list?"