QUESTION. (Hansard, 25 March 1878)

§ MR. W. H. SMITH

I am sorry, Sir, that I cannot add much information to that which the country already possesses through the Press. The disaster has been a most mournful and startling one. The ship was returning home after a most useful and, as we thought, most successful cruise in the West Indies. She had arrived at the Isle of Wight, and was suddenly struck by a squall and went down. I have received from Admiral Fanshawe, the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, a telegram dated March 25, in which he says— In reply to telegram 2 of this date, I hare further to report, in addition to former telegrams, that Admiral Foley has returned from wreck of Eurydice, and reports that he found mainsail sheets let go, as well as maintopsail halyards, starboard foretopsail sheet, and star-hoard topgallant sheets let go; topmast studding-sail in the act of being taken in. He is of opinion that men were on deck in the act of shortening sail. Everything seems to have drifted over to French coast. Shall I communicate with Consuls, or communication he made by Admiralty? A light vessel and buoys placed at wreck, and every precaution taken. Men clearing wreck, and in time propose taking her into Sandown Bay. I am sorry to say that neither bodies nor men have been found in addition to those who have been picked up, and at the present moment all we can hope is that the two men who are at Bonchurch 1960 Hospital will recover. I have received a telegram from the hospital this afternoon to say they have recovered so far as to permit their leaving the hospital this afternoon, and I hope they will be in London to-morrow. I may add, Sir, that the Eurydice was an old 26-gun frigate of 921 tons. She was built by Admiral Elliot, and was commanded by his son, the present Admiral Sir George Elliot, and subsequently by Captains Ommanney and Tarleton in the West Indies. She was repaired and fitted out as a training-ship for ordinary seamen, and commissioned for that purpose in February, 1877, by Captain Hare. Her armament had been reduced from 26 guns to only two 64-pounder guns. She carried the same ballast as on former commissions, a large proportion of water —117 tons as against 102 tons—and her rig was the same as formerly. Her draft of water was 16 feet 6 inches, as against 16 feet 4½ inches formerly. It may be interesting to the House to know that the officers were specially selected for their competency and skill. The commander, Captain Hare, had been previously in command of the Boscawen, the training-ship for boys at Portland. Lieutenant Tabor had had much experience in sailing ships. He had been lieutenant of the Narcissus when flagship of the Flying Squadron, where most of the work was done under sail. He was afterwards first lieutenant of the Cruiser, training-ship for ordinary seamen in the Mediterranean, in which ship he served for three years and a-half. The other lieutenants were all selected for their promise as good officers. The crew consisted of the proper complement of officers and petty officers, who were permanent, and it was completed by as many ordinary seamen as she could carry, making in all about 300. Her complement formerly was 225. The ship had been on a cruise round the West Indies. She left England in November, 1877, so that her crew had been well practised in handling her. The wreck lies in 11 fathoms water, two miles and a-half E.N.E. from Dunnose—that is to say— off Sandown, Isle of Wight. From the examination made, it is concluded that the crew were shortening sail when the accident-happened, as the fore and main sheets were found let go, as well as the topsail halyards, and the studsails were partly taken in, I can only echo the 1961 expression of deep sorrow which has fallen from my right hon. Friend, and say that a greater disaster has scarcely ever befallen the British Navy since the unfortunate accident to the Captain.