HC Deb 28 February 1876 vol 227 c1024
DR. KENEALY

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he will have any objection to lay upon the Table of the House a return of the number of British vessels laden with grain in bulk which have been totally lost, with their crews, within the last twenty years?

SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

I find it difficult to ascertain what grain ships are loaded in bulk which are afloat; I should therefore despair of finding what grain ships loaded in bulk have gone to the bottom during the last 20 years. If a Return were asked of the number of grain ships, however loaded, which have been lost during half that period—that is, since The Wreck Register began—it might be made with a good deal of trouble and expense; but what end would be served? No one disputes that a grain cargo is a very dangerous one, and the Government are using their utmost efforts to check its mode of stowage under the provisions of the recent Act.