The engines of the Storstad were at once reversed at full speed, and her headway was nearly checked when the vessels came together.
DID NOT BACK OUT
It has been said that the Storstad should not have backed out of the hole made by the collision. She did not do so. As the vessels came together, the Storstad’s engines were ordered ahead for the purpose of holding her bow against the side of the Empress and thus preventing the entrance of water into the vessel.
The headway of the Empress, however, swung the Storstad around in such a way as to twist the Storstad’s bow out of the hole, and to bend the bow itself over to port.
The Empress at once disappeared in the fog. The Storstad sounded her whistle repeatedly in an effort to locate the Empress of Ireland, but could obtain no indication of her whereabouts until cries were heard. The Storstad was then maneuvered as close to the Empress as was safe, in view of the danger of injury to the persons who were already in the water.
TO THE RESCUE
The Storstad at once lowered every one of her boats, and sent them to save the passengers and crew of the Empress, though she herself was in serious danger of sinking. When two boats from the Empress reached the Storstad, the Storstad’s men also manned these boats and went in them to the rescue.
Her own boats made several trips and, in all, about 250 persons were taken on board and everything that the ship’s stores contained was used for their comfort. Clothes of those on the Storstad were placed at the disposal of the rescued and every assistance was rendered.
INJUSTICE TO CAPTAIN
The statements which have appeared in the press, indicating that there was the slightest delay on the part of the Storstad in rendering prompt and efficient aid, do a cruel injustice to the captain, who did not hesitate to send out every boat he had in spite of the desperate condition of his own ship.