§ MR. C. TURNERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Hector rock now lying in the Channel between the Island of Santa Maria and the mainland of the west coast of South America off Point Lavapic, does not now appear on the Admiralty chart; and, whether the Government has given such public notice of the existence of this dangerous rock as may prevent a repetition of a recent accident of which it has been the cause?
§ MR. GOSCHENsaid, in reply, that the rock was searched for by Her Majesty's ship Shearwater in 1864, but in vain, and those who conducted the operation were confident that no impediment to the navigation now existed. The ship was anchored, it was believed, over the spot where the rock was said to have been, and there were 18 fathoms of water, and fine sand at the bottom. The Government had had a Report that a ship had struck upon the rock, but no bearings were given to enable the Admiralty to determine the position where she struck. It was possible that she struck upon another rock; but inquiry would be made into the matter.