HC Deb 19 February 1875 vol 222 c554
MR. GOURLEY

asked the President of the Board of Trade, If it be correct that after receiving a report from the Board of Trade Surveyors at Hull that the ship "Mary Ann" was unfit to proceed to sea without serious danger to human life, an order was subsequently made that the vessel might proceed to sea provided the owner would execute a bond and sail in her himself; if so, what guarantee this gave for the safety of the crew if the ship were unsea-worthy?

SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

The case is before one of the Superior Courts; I therefore abstain from stating anything affecting the points in dispute. I must, however, say that the hon. Gentleman has not quite correctly stated the facts of the case, which are these—It was at the owner's request that the Mary Ann was allowed to proceed to Sunderland for repairs, the owner having no means to get the work done at Hull. He requested to be allowed to proceed with her himself, and to give a bond of £500 to secure his going to Sunderland. The Board of Trade assented, and imposed the further conditions that he should start early on a fine morning, and be provided with a lifeboat, and should go in tow.