§ Sir ROBERT THOMAS(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest news regarding the foundering of the steamship "Vestris"; whether all the passengers and crew have been saved, and whether any cause has been given for the accident?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe "Vestris"— a passenger steamer of 10,494 gross tons belonging to Messrs. Lamport and Holt, Limited—was built in 1912, and for the past eight years has been engaged in service between New York and the River Plate. On the 10th November she sailed from New York for the Plate carrying 129 passengers and 209 crew and a general cargo, and appears to have sunk in the Atlantic some three hundred miles from Hampton Roads. Very little information has yet been received as to the success attending the efforts of the vessels which were summoned by wireless and which are searching for the lifeboats, but Messrs. Lamport and Holt have informed the Board of Trade that 695 they have received information through their New York office that five of the lifeboats have been picked up—three by the steamer "American Shipper," and two by the "Myriam." The number of lives saved in these boats is not yet known. We have no authoritative information as to the cause.
§ Sir R. THOMASHas the hon. Member any news as to the state of the weather at the time of the accident?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSNo, not yet.