SIR JAMES ELPHINSIONEsaid, he rose to put a Question to the noble Lord the Secretary to the Admiralty, which he was compelled to preface with some observations, and if out of order in doing so, he would move the adjournment of the House. He wished to know, Whether the Gladiator was still under orders to proceed to Cape Coast Castle; for in his opinion that vessel was utterly incompetent to remove 500 men with any degree of safety to the expedition. It was necessary to explain his reasons for that opinion, and he therefore moved the adjournment of the House. The Gladiator was a ship of 1,200 tons burden, with a main deck; but the space occupied by the boilers and ship's company reduced her carrying power to 800 tons. At that season of the year the winds prevailing in the Gulf of Guinea were from the westward, and, consequently, when the ship arrived at Cape Coast Castle and took on board the troops and baggage, she would, in her overloaded state, have to contend with contrary winds of considerable strength for 700 miles before she could turn the boundary point, where strong north-easterly winds were to be looked for. It was impossible, in the, wet weather which would prevail in the Gulf of Guinea, that the Gladiator could carry below 500 men—for that was the number—448 rank and file, and 19 officers, with their followers. Some must be carried on deck, and they would be exposed to the wet from the time they left Cape Coast Castle until they arrived at their destination. He would submit for the consideration of the Government, whether it would not be better to send a ship capable of carrying these troops with safety and comfort. The Galatea, a ship of 3,000 tons, had just arrived with troops from the Mediterranean, and might be employed for that purpose. He entered his solemn protest against the Gladiator being sent on that service. In order to place himself in order, he would move the adjournment of the House.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."
2029§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, that he thought that what he was about to state would be satisfactory to the hon. Baronet. The War Office had made an arrangement by which instead of the removal of 500 men from Cape Coast Castle 700 men would be removed. Of these, 500 would go to the West Indies and 200 to Lagos. From Lagos 200 would be removed to Sierra Leone station. That had necessitated an alteration in the arrangement of the Admiralty. It was now proposed that the Gladiator should go straight to Madeira, and she had started that day. She would coal at Madeira, in order to be prepared to take in tow the Waubojeen transport, which would carry the troops. The transport would start from this country on Thursday, accompanied by the Bulldog, which would tow her out of the Channel, and go with her to Madeira, if necessary. At Madeira she would find the Gladiator waiting for her. The Gladiator would tow her to Sierra Leone, and thence to Cape Coast Castle. The Waubojees would there embark the troops for Barbadoes; and the Gladiator, after towing her into the offing, if necessary, would embark the 200 men for Logos, and from Lagos would return to Sierra Leone with about the same number of men to be stationed there. The Gladiator would thence return to England.