§ MR. NORWOODasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he is in a position to communicate any information as to the probability of the raft reported to have been seen by the barque "Scotia Queen," on the 22nd April, being connected with H. M. S. "Atalanta"?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREThe Admiralty received a few days ago fuller information, through the commanding officer of the Castro, at Shields, from the master of the Scotia Queen as to the raft which it was supposed might have been connected with the Atalanta.
The raft, "it is reported," was seen on the 22nd of April about 150 miles to E.S.E. of Bermuda. As near as it could be noticed it was made of square pitch pine logs, two tiers high floating very deep. There were no rope fastenings, and it was supposed to be bolted. About 400 yards from it two bodies were seen, apparently with white jumpers on, and the master is of opinion they were men-of-wars men.545 Considering that the interval of 83 days elapsed between the Atalanta leaving Bermuda and this raft being sighted so near the Island, and that the raft was constructed of materials which could not have been on board the Atalanta, the Admiralty is of opinion it is impossible it could have been connected with that vessel.