§ SIR JOHN SIMON (Dewsbury)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the circumstances connected with the wreck of the barquentine Osborne off Bamburgh Bay on the night of the 2nd of March, 1886, particularly as to the refusal of the Coastguard men to lend their boat or a lantern, or otherwise assist in saving the lives of the captain and crew, numbering 13 persons, who, but for the bravery of four men, who at the risk of their lives waded through a stormy sea to the vessel, must have perished; whether, even at this distance of time, it will be possible to institute an inquiry into the matter, and have the four men. William Dixon, Thomas Leighton, William Weatherstone, and William Tarbit, who rescued the crew, confronted with the Coastguard men and examined; and, whether he will consider the possibility of conferring some reward on these men for their heroic conduct?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)An inquiry was held into the wreck referred to by the hon. Member by the Inspecting Officer of Coastguard at the time of its occurrence in 1886, and his report was submitted to the Board of Trade and to the Admiral Superintendent of Royal Naval Reserve. I see no reason for re opening the case, nor can I now 1804 consider the question of conferring a reward.