§ MR. FRENCHasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is a fact that the steamship "Edith" has now been allowed to remain in Holyhead Harbour, where she is sunk, for a period of nearly two years; whether any accidents have occurred in consequence of her being allowed so to remain; whether she is not in a very dangerous position, and in the direct way of the mail boats approaching and leaving the pier; and, if he can inform the House when she is likely to be removed?
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEYThe steamship Edith, belonging to the London and North-Western Railway Company, was sunk in a collision in Holyhead, harbour on September 8, 1875, and still remains there. The only accident which has come to my knowledge is the destruction of the apparatus for raising her, which was caused by the mail boat St. Patrick running on to the wreck, on a calm and light morning, on the 31st of October last, and for which collision the Admiralty Court has pronounced the St. Patrick alone to blame. Though 404 this wreck is unquestionably in the way of navigation, no other craft has touched her. The owners, the railway company, and their contractors, are doing their utmost, at great expense, to remove the wreck, which they would have done already but for the destruction of the apparatus by the steamboat. They have now nearly got the gear repaired and ready for lifting the vessel. A telegram has been put into my hands in which they say that no attempt has yet been made, but an attempt will be made at the end of next week, or the beginning of the following one. The circumstances of the case are detailed in a Parliamentary Paper which was laid on the Table of the House in March last.