D/T Helle

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The master referred in all respects to his extract (report). He stated that the casualty was not attributable to any defect or fault in the vessel's hull and rigging with appurtenances, or engines, boilers, pipe lines, her equipment or manning, or to any lack of neccessary or prescribed safety precautions. He further stated that the casualty was not attributable to any mistake, neglect or carelessness on the part of any one on board. The last boat drill had been carried out at Halifax.

The captain stated that he was in the chart room when the casualty occurred, and that the chief officer was the officer on watch, who was on the bridge together with the look-out man and the helmsman. A sharp look-out was kept the whole time, but they had seen nothing of the U-boat before the torpedo struck the vessel, nor did they see her afterwards. He stated that lifesaving jackets had been distributed to all the men on board. All the convoy regulations were punctually carried out.

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... as the 1st witness appeared:- Chief Officer Otmar Nordgaard Ingebretsen

The witness was the officer on watch on the bridge. He stated that it had began to get dark and no other ships could be seen. He had complete knowledge of the rules for sailing in convoy. He stated that everything was in first class order on board and that there was no defect with the vessel, her hull, rigging with appurtenances, equipment or manning. All lifesaving equipment and all the lifeboats were in the best order. The witness stated that there were 2 rafts on board, each man had been given a lifesaving jacket.

The chief officer stated that he got into the port lifeboat and that the captain and the wireless operator remained on board by themselves when the men had gone into the boats. The vessel's position was then sent out.

The witness stated that three men had got into the water, but were soon picked up again.

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... as the 2nd witness apperared:- Chief Engineer Harald Bjørnstad

The witness was on watch in the engine room when the torpedo came, he stated that everything was in the best order there. He stated that he first got into the motor lifeboat, as this, however, was lowered too quickly one of the tackles became unhooked and the boat was filled with water. The witness therefore had to get over into the port lifeboat. The lifeboats were well equipped. The witness did not see the vessel sink, but he had no doubt about her having gone down. In the morning they did not see anything of the ship either otherwise than rafts and liefeboats.

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... as the 3rd witness apperaed:- Ordinary Seaman Harry Hansen

The witness was at the wheel when the casualty occurred. He had seen neither the U-boat nor the torpedo. He stated that everything was in the best order on board and that the lifeboats were amply and well equipped with water and food. The witness got into the port boat to which he belonged. He stated that they let go the lifeboat when they were picked up by the destroyer. He otherwise made statement in accordance with the previous witnesses.

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... as the 4th witness appeared:- Kaare Arthur Olsen

The witness was look-out man when the casualty occurred, but saw nothing, neither of the U-boat nor the torpedo. He stated that the last boat drill had been carried out at Halifax. The witness went into theport lifeboat on the windward side. All the lifeboats were well equipped with food, water and clothes. He stated that in the middle of the night they could see lights on the ship. In the morning, on the day after, they could no longer seeanything of the vessel, and he was certain that she had gone down. The only things they saw were the 2 rafts and the lifeboats.

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