§ ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the following report in The Globe, of the 18th instant, as to the sufferings of the crews of Her Majesty's ships stationed at Suakin is correct—
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"Deaths from Heat at Suakin.
The heat at Suakin is intense, the thermometer yesterday registering 120 degrees. Three sailors of Her Majesty's ship Dolphin have died from apoplexy. The life of Dr. Williams, of the Albacore, was despaired of on Monday last, and he was saved only by means of some ice sent from the officers' brigade mess. The commanding officers of the Royal Navy have given notice that a supply of ice is an imperative necessity at Suakin during the summer months; and ice could be obtained weekly from Aden and Suez. Many cases of sun fever have been reported on board the Dolphin and Albacore, and both ships left yesterday for Suez to recruit;
and, if so, whether instructions can be given to cause vessels employed on such trying service to be more frequently relieved, with a view to the better preservation of the health of the ships' crews; and, if it be absolutely necessary to retain certain vessels of war at Suakin, whether instructions can be given that ample supplies of ice be furnished, as recommended, for the preservation of the health of the ships' companies?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)No Reports of the circumstances mentioned in the Question have reach the Admiralty. The Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean is aware of the necessity of relieving the vessels at Suakin as frequently as the service admits of; and the preservation of the health of the crews of the vessels employed there is always a subject of careful consideration to the Admiralty, I have instituted an inquiry as to whether any further relief in the direction indicated in the Question can be given; for every endeavour should be made to mitigate the discomfort and unhealthiness of this service.