HC Deb 07 April 1873 vol 215 cc647-8
MR. CRAWFORD

said, he had to put to the President of the Board of Trade a Question of which he regretted having been unable to given him earlier Notice. It was, Whether steps have been taken to inquire into the circumstances under which the "Atlantic" was lost on the coast of Nova Scotia? He put the Question particularly with reference to statements as to the circumstances which were said to have caused the attempt to put the "Atlantic" into Halifax on her way to New York.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

In all eases, Sir, of disaster happening to vessels in Colonial waters, under the Merchant Shipping Act, an inquiry is ordered by the Governor of the Colony, not directly by the Board of Trade. Such inquiry, I have every reason to believe, has been already ordered in this case.