§ MR. MAGUIREsaid, he rose to ask the President of the Board of Trade, As to the intentions of the Government with respect to Daunt's Rock; whether they intend to take immediate measures to have it removed by blowing it up, or whether they have resolved on at once giving the usual notice of the intention to place a Light Ship, with fog bell and signal gun, near it; and, if so, out of what sources do they propose that the cost of such Light Ship is to be defrayed?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONSir, there is no intention, on the part of the Board of Trade, to take the measures referred to by the hon. Gentleman. Considerable difference of opinion exists as to whether it would be desirable to place a Light Ship upon Daunt's Rock. If it should be decided that such a ship should be placed there, the Elder Brethren of the Trinity Corporation are of opinion that, considering the proximity of the Rock to Cork Harbour, the expense of supporting the Light Ship should be borne by the vessels frequenting or otherwise using Cork Harbour. Inman's Company, one of the ships of which was recently lost upon the Rock, signified their willingness—not lately, but some time ago — to pay any toll upon their ships which it might be necessary to impose for the support of a Light Ship. Although the Government has no intention to place a Light Ship at present, it has been recommended that an improvement should be made in the light on Roche's Point. That proposition has been sanctioned by the Board of Trade, and will shortly be carried into effect. It is such that the light exhibited on Roche's Point will indicate to a ship making for Cork Harbour when she is approaching Daunt's Rock, so as to warn her against running into that danger.
§ MR. MAGUIREIs not Daunt's Rock five miles off the extreme point of the entrance to Cork Harbour? I also wish to know, Whether the attention of the Government has been directed to the necessity of removing Daunt's Rock altogether, and whether there has been any survey made with that object in view?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONThere has been no Government survey of Daunt's Rock with a view to ascertain the expense of its removing by blowing it up, but I am informed that a private survey is now going on, and that the opportunity is being taken of the steamer lying upon the Rock to 872 ascertain its exact dimensions, and to arrive, if possible, at an estimate of what the cost would be of removing it by blasting. I cannot say whether such a scheme is practicable or not, but I hope the survey now going on will throw some light on that question.
§ MR. MAGUIREThe right hon. Gentleman has not yet answered my question. I desire to know, Whether Daunt's Rock is not five miles off the extreme point of the entrance of Cork Harbour?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONI believe the Rock is between four and five miles from the entrance of Cork Harbour, but there are two lights visible, the light upon the Head of Kinsale and the light upon Roche's Point. The latter is visible in clear weather in the neighbourhood of the! Rock. Provided, therefore, the weather be clear, there are sufficient lights to enable any prudent navigator to avoid Daunt's Rock,
§ MR. MAGUIREI have only one question more. Is it not a fact known to the right hon. Gentleman that Robert's Head shuts out the light on Roche's Point?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONOnly in the case of a ship being so close in to the Rock as to be out of her proper track would the light on Roche's Point be screened by Robert's Head.