HC Deb 09 May 1890 vol 344 cc577-8
MR. ROE (Derby)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dangerous character of the practice firing on the Isle of Wight, a shot from Totland Bay having passed immediately over the tops of the funnels of the steamship Brodrick Castle (filled with passengers on her way from Bournemouth to Ventnor), and dropped into the sea within 300 yards of the boat whilst rounding, and within two miles of, the Needles, at about noon, in bright and clear weather, on Tuesday, the 6th of May; and if he will give orders to pre- vent such firing in future as may be dangerous to passing ships?

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE.) Lincolnshire, Horncastle

The officer in charge reports that before the shot in question was fired it was estimated by the position-finder on Headon Hill that it would fall 1.000 yards from the Brodrick Castle. The shot fell exactly where it was predicted, and the steamer was never in the slightest danger.