§ MR. JACKSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will explain why no proper search or pursuit was made after the smack Columbine, which lately drifted from Lerwick to the Norwegian Coast with an invalid on board, although two of Her Majesty's despatch boats, the Eagle and the Active, as also the 708 fishery cutter Vigilant, were lying idle in Granton Harbour all fully manned?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT),in reply, said, that the telegram asking for assistance in searching for the smack Columbine did not reach the Admiralty until Tuesday, the accident having occurred on the previous Saturday. The Active and the Eagle were Coastguard sailing yawls; the Vigilant, also a sailing vessel, belonged to the Scotch Board of Fisheries, and was not under Admiralty orders. Looking at the time that had elapsed since the accident, and the fact that there were local steamers that had been employed and that could be re-employed, the Admiralty informed the Board of Trade that they had no vessel that could be sent to search for the smack with any hope of success. He might add that if the Admiralty had any vessel lying at Lerwick, or anywhere in the immediate neighbourhood, they would have been very glad to render all the assistance in their power.