§ MR. GREERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he is aware that the disabled schooner Essequibo, now lying in Larne Harbour, contains a quantity of dynamite; whether two fatal accidents have already been caused by a portion of this dynamite; and, whether he intends taking any, and what, steps to have the dangerous cargo removed?
§ MR. J. HOLMSMy hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty has asked me to answer this Question. I am informed that this vessel, formerly used as a dynamite magazine, is lying in Lorne Lough, and has long been abandoned. The tide flows into and out of the hulk, which does not in any way interfere with the navigation or fairway of the harbour. Her cargo seems to 1397 have been removed in 1875; but it would appear that some nitro-glycerine had previously exuded from the dynamite, and may to some extent have saturated, what is left on board. I understand that two men lately removed an old pump from her without any authority and took it on shore. When striking it with a hammer to break it up the men were killed through an explosion of nitro-glycerine which was in it. I am in communication with the Home Office on the subject.