The Loss of the Jane Vosper by Freeman Wills Crofts Page A

punctual about beginning at all events. He hoped this was an augury for the speedy conduct of the case.
    There ensued a number of rather uninteresting formalities, and then all sorts of people from all over the room, Alexander among them, got up and said they were appearing for this or that interest. Their names were duly noted, and a short discussion then took place between the magistrate and his assessors. When this was over, Mr Trafford made a brief opening statement.
    ‘As you are aware, gentlemen, this enquiry is into the circumstances of the sinking of the steamer Jane Vosper ,while on a voyage from London to Pernambuco and other ports in South America. The court will be concerned in the first place with the fact and the cause of the sinking, but it will also take cognizance of the conduct of all those concerned, inasmuch as this may have contributed or otherwise to the sinking. This will include not only the actions of those on board the ship, both before and at the time of the disaster, but also those whose duty it was to see that she went to sea in a reasonably fit and perfect condition, both as regards the ship herself, the appliances and stores which she carried, and the nature and disposal of the cargo.
    ‘The loss of a ship at sea is always a distressing event to all concerned, and this case is no exception to the rule. At the same time it is a matter of congratulation that in this instance the worst feature of such disasters is missing - there was happily no loss of life. That fortunate circumstance will not, however, make any difference to the course of this enquiry, particularly as we have only to remember that had the weather been different, it is possible that not a single member of the crew would have escaped.
    ‘I shall now ask you, Mr Armitage, to open the proceedings on behalf of the Board of Trade.’
    Mr Reginald Armitage, one of the barristers present, was a tall man with an impressive carriage and a dominating manner. His hawk like face and heavy jaw bespoke a tenacity of purpose which would not easily be turned aside from the path he wished to follow. His very look of conscious power and grip was a reassurance to those for whom he appeared, and induced doubts of their case into the minds of his opponents. And when he spoke, these feelings became strengthened. He had a full rich voice with which he could make great play, modifying it, as it were between the aggressive roaring of the lion and the seductive softness of the sucking dove. It was rumoured by those who did not like him, that in civil cases he made huge sums merely by not being on the other side.
    ‘Your Worship,’ he began quietly, standing up and turning towards the magistrate, ‘after what you have just said there is no need for me to waste the time of the court with prolonged remarks, and I will be very brief.’
    He paused and hitched his gown up on his shoulder, a characteristic action. Then in a louder and more assured tone he went on: ‘As Your Worship has pointed out, this enquiry is into the sinking of the steamer Jane Vosper on the morning of Saturday, 28th of last month, while she was on a voyage from London to Pernambuco in Brazil.
    ‘The Jane Vosper ,as you will hear in evidence, was a cargo liner of some 2500 tons register, owned by the Southern Ocean Steam Navigation Company of Fenchurch Street, and registered in London. Her length was 270 feet, beam 36 feet, and draught 16 feet. She was built in 1913 for the general carrying trade, and carried a complement of 35 officers and men.’
    Mr Armitage then went on to describe the vessel, with its high fo’c’sle, bridge-deck and poop and the comparatively low stretches of well-deck between. He told of the location of the stores and of the berthing of the officers and crew. He referred briefly to the engines and boilers and went into detail about the size and position of the three holds and the number and position of the watertight bulkheads dividing them. When he had