New Britain herald., 1928-11-15
Federal MEN ARE
HOLDING INQUIRY
Continued from First Page)

on record, beginning this afternoon.
versions Of just what happened be-
tween last Saturday, when the YES
iris sailed, and Monday afternoon.
when she sank $50 miles off Hamp-
ton Roads with a loss of ia lives.
One OF Chief Causes
Numerous members of the crew
who reached port on the Myriam
said that one of the chief causes of
the disaster had been the rush of
water through a half-door into the
coal bunkers. Some were certain
that this door had been found open
soon after the liner left New York
and that the rush of the sea into
the Vestris eventually became so
great that efforts to force it shut
were without avail.
Other Charges Heard
This incident. and the stories Of
shifting cargo. weak bulkheads, An
effective launching or poorly equip
ped lifeboats and procrastination IN
radioing for help, were to be told
again before the federal attorneys.
All but nine Of the known survi-
vors were in this city today. The
Myriam brought 81 last night-49
members of the crew and eight pas
sengers-wAile others arrived yes
terday on the Berlin and American
Shipper. The remaining nine were
aboard the battleship Wyoming.
proceeding to Hampton Roads.
E. George Williams. passenger
traffic manager Of the Lamport and
Holt line, also began an examination
of the surviving officers and men OF
the crew.
A. Pugh, the purser of the Nestris,
who was rescued by the American
Shipper was the first man question
ed. He declined to comment upon
the nature of the questioning, or TO
answer charges levelled at the crew
by passengers.
Jurisdiction Uncertain
Although the Vestris was of Brit
ish registry and the jurisdiction OF
the American authorities was ulcer
tain, it was indicated today that the
British authorities might consent TO
have the entire inquiry conducted
here. Mr.. Mintzer said he had heard.
unofficially. that the British Board
of Trade had cabled the consul gen.
eral here stating that if the inquiry
was unbiased and exhaustive, the
board would abide by 1t.
Charles II.
futile, in ordering the investigation
said it was for the purpose Of re
and perpetuating' the tesu-
1nony of the rescued passengers ana
crew while the facts were still fresh
in their minds.
Charges Pile Up
The charges piled UP soon after
the arrival here yesterday of the
steamships American Shipper and
Berlin with a total Of 14S persons
rescued from lifeboats after the
British liner, bound from New York
to South America. foundered 14o
miles off the Virginia capes Monday.
Early today the French tanker
MIRIAM locked in Brooklyn with 81
other survivors: some of whom
the charges while others
denied them or remained silent.
The tragedy in figures today STOOD
at PA rescued, ia presumably
dead. Twenty-Five bodies had been
The missing included ~
women and Is children. All the
children aboard the Vestris per-
ished, apparently. Ten women were
saved. Besides those landed IN New
York nine survivors were aboard
the battleship Wyoming. which was
ordered to put into Hampton ROADS,
Va.
Cause Is In Doubt
The cause of the sudden disaster
to the supposedly seaWorthy Vessel
remained in doubt.
Several theories were advanced
by survivors. One was that the car
20 matches were not securely fasten-
ed. another that the bow was stove
in by mountainous wave, and an
other that coal hold was LETT open
due to rusted hinges.
Thinks Cargo Shifted
David Cook, vice president of San
dersons and Sons, Inc. agents for
the owners, the Lamport and Holt
line. issued a statement expressing
the belief that the cargo OF Grated
in the hold had shifted.
breaking open a bulkhead and start
nag leak which permitted the seas
10 rush in.
He said this possible shifting Of
the cargo could have been caused by
the heavy seas. He reported the sur
viving officers as saying that never
in their experience had they seen
such gigantic seas.
Captain Is Dead
a46,.., 49,. WI L