§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)had the following Question on the Paper:—To ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the reported narrow escape of the mail steamer Arizona on Monday night last, that during the prevalence of a thick fog ran into Dunmanus Bay, and very nearly went ashore; whether this is the place where the Iberian was lost; and, whether, in view of the fact that this Bay lies unprotected, parallel and close to the track of the American liners, the Board will recommend the placing a fog bell or gun on the Mizen or Three Castle Heads? The hon. Member said, he did not intend asking the first part of the Question, as he understood the thing did not occur. He would, however, ask if it was not a fact that the steamship Catalonia narrowly escaped going ashore at or about this very place during last week?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, that was not exactly the same Question as that which the hon. Gentleman put on the Paper; but he had to say with regard to the lights on the coast at this place, of course it was not the business of the Board of Trade to initiate the establishment of any light. The Irish Lighthouse Authorities were now in the course of erecting a lighthouse at a place called Bull Rock, or Mersey Head, close to this very part of the coast. He was also informed that if mariners would use the ordinary precautions of taking soundings the danger to which the hon. Member referred would be avoided.
§ DR. TANNERasked, if Bull Rock was not about 50 miles west of this place?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHNo, Sir.
§ DR. TANNERIt is about 45.