§ MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)asked the President of the Board of Trade, If there is any regulation requiring seagoing vessels to carry boats to accommodate the number of persons they are permitted to carry; if this regulation is enforced; and, if the Oregon had such a supply of boats; and, if not, on what grounds are such vessels excused from carrying a full complement?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)By Statute a passenger steamer is required to carry boats according to her net registered tonnage, and not according to the number of persons she is permitted to carry. This regulation is strictly enforced, and the Oregon was not excused from carrying her full complement of boats. The law requires seven boats, of 1,893 cubic feet capacity, or six boats, of 2,035 cubic feet; in each case two of them must be lifeboats with 1,000 cubic feet aggregate capacity. The Oregon had 10 boats, 1494 of the capacity of 3,650 cubic feet, of which four were lifeboats with an aggregate capacity exceeding 2,000 cubic feet; and the Board of Trade had ascertained, as they do in all cases of steamers carrying more than 12 passengers, that these boats, with their equipments and lowering gear, were in good order and thoroughly efficient. Besides this, she had on board 120 cork lifejackets and 600 lifebuoys. The passengers and crew were all saved.
§ MR. MACFARLANEasked if the right hon. Gentleman could state the number of passengers that were on board the Oregon, and the carrying capacity of the boats?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI cannot tell that; but I have already stated that the capacity of the boats depends on the tonnage of the steamer, and not on the number of passengers.
§ MR. MACFARLANEI shall ask the right hon. Gentleman another Question on the subject.