MR. J. A. SMITHsaid, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in reference to the Copies of Memorials "on the subject of disasters at sea and their prevention," presented to the House this Session by the Board of Trade, 1732 it is intended to take any steps to carry out the recommendations or suggestions contained in such Memorials; particularly in reference to the urgent want which is represented to exist of Inspectors of Mercantile Shipping?
§ MR. STEPHEN CAVE, in reply, said, the subjects referred to in the Memorials were under the consideration of the Board of Trade, with a view to future legislation. The question of inspecting ships about to go to sea was one of great difficulty. In the first place, no complete inspection could be made by the Government without relieving the owners of their responsibility to shippers, insurers, passengers, and others; which, after all, was the very best security. It was not easy to establish a system of inspecting thoroughly every loaded merchant vessel before she went to sea, without seriously impeding the trade of the country. At the same time it was worthy of consideration whether any safe steps could be taken in this direction by ordering a survey in cases where there was ground for suspicion, and where complaint was made. Except in the case of passengers and crews, even this was more for parties interested than for the Government. As regarded passengers, they were already cared for; as regarded the crew, they were not obliged to proceed to sea if the ship were unseaworthy. But this was often a question difficult to determine; and the Justices who were called on to decide were often very much at sea themselves. It was under the consideration of the Board of Trade whether, in case of allegation of unseaworthiness, the Justices should not have the assistance of the Board of Trade Surveyor, to enable them to decide whether the crew should or should not be compelled to go to sea.