ENGINEERS’ STATEMENTS
One of the most important statements was that of the third engineer of the Storstad, who was not averse to talking, but refused to give his name. He was on duty in the engine room when the collision occurred.
“How long before you struck was the signal given to go astern?” he was asked.
“It is impossible to say definitely, but it was about a minute; I should say a little longer than a minute,” he replied.
“Are you positive that you got the signal to go at full speed astern?”
“I am certain the engines were going full speed astern when the collision occurred,” he said.
The third engineer’s statement was supported by that of the second engineer, who, however, was not on duty at the time of the accident. He said that at no time for several hours before the collision had the Storstad proceeded at greater speed than ten miles an hour. Thick fog had been encountered at intervals, he said.
“The shock of the impact was not very noticeable,” he said. “I did notice, however, that the engines had been reversed, and we were going full speed astern. That was about one minute before the shock came.”