§ Mr. AMMON(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further information he can communicate to the House regarding the loss of the s.s. "Vestris."
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe latest information received by the Lamport and Holt Line is to the effect that of the 16 lifeboats carried by the "Vestris" eight have been picked up and the following rescues have been made: 84 crew, 41 passengers, total 125—by the "American Shipper"; 47 crew, eight passengers, total 55—by the French Tanker "Myriam"; 18 crew, five passengers, total 23—by the s.s. "Berlin"; three crew, six passengers, total nine—by the "Wyoming" United States Naval Cruiser; total saved 152 crew, 60 passengers, total 212.
889 I very much regret to say that there are still missing 45 crew and 69 passengers, making a total of 114. No confirmation has been received of the report that the Master, Captain Carey, has been picked up, and no report has been received by the owners which gives any indication as to the cause of the loss. As to the state of the weather, the owners have received no report, but it is understood from the Meteorological Office that at about the time of the casualty there was a depression centred to the east of the position of the ship and the wind was probably of gale force from the northward. The vessels above referred to have, it is understood, left the scene of the casualty and will, it is expected, land those rescued during the course of to-day.