He explained that the engines were going full speed astern at the time of the collision, and that the signal to go astern had been given more than a minute before the Storstad struck the Empress of Ireland.
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.
WAIT FOR THE VERDICT
All considerations of the lamentable catastrophe on the St. Lawrence River call for the exercise of the greatest patience on the part of the general public. The exact facts in regard to the circumstances which led to the collision will not be known till they are brought out by the official investigation. The nature of the case makes this inevitable.
Later, when all have become calm and the complete story is elicited by the questioning of experts, it is probable that the incidents will arrange themselves in a convincing order. At the present time all statements point toward the incredible. A low fog which permitted high lights to be seen over it and a ship which apparently drove straight through it at a dangerous speed, rigidly holding her course simply because she had the “right of way” and without regard for the fact that another ship was lying motionless and plainly announcing it by the use of recognized whistle signals, bring before the mind a combination of circumstances impossible to believe.
BLAME NOT TO BE PLACED BY AMATEURS
The captain of the collier which rammed the Empress of Ireland should certainly have a fair opportunity to tell his side of the story before he is condemned, and also to answer certain essential questions. The one declaration that may properly be made at this time is that this case cannot be tried and settled by amateurs. The handling of vessels, particularly in cases of sudden danger, is a complete and insoluble mystery to the layman, despite his cheerful custom of thinking he knows all about it.
CHAPTER XVII
Empress in Fact, as in Name
THE EXPONENT OF SAFETY AND COMFORT—DIMENSIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS—PROVISIONS FOR COMFORT AND PLEASURE—WEEKLY LIFE-SAVING DRILL—THE LOSS AND INSURANCE