HC Deb 18 March 1889 vol 334 cc14-33
SIR EDWARD REED (Cardiff)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any truth in the report that the grounding of the Sultan was due to a defective chart of the Maltese Islands; and, in view of the crucial test to which surveys are subject in these days of deep draught, high speed, and torpedo operations, whether he will consider the advisability of encouraging naval officers possessed of the necessary aptitude to join the surveying branch of the profession, by permitting promotion to operate as freely in that as in other branches, such as that of gunnery and torpedo work?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

The Commander-in-Chief reports that the Sultan grounded on a patch of rocks unmarked on the chart and where deep water is shown. Whether this is due to defective survey or recent volcanic action cannot at present be stated. The Commander-in-Chief has been instructed to cause every inquiry to be made locally, from fishermen and others, as to any previous knowledge of the existence of these rocks. The channel where the accident occurred was surveyed in 1857 and 1860. The circumstances attending the stranding of the Sultan will be fully investigated by a Court Martial that will be held at Portsmouth under the presidency of the Commander-in-Chief at that port. The Admiralty fully recognize the valuable work done by the surveying officers, and it is their wish to encourage officers with an aptitude for this class of work to join that branch of the Service. The pay they get while surveying is considerably higher than that of other officers of their rank, and their claims for promotion are considered equally with those of their brother officers.

    c15
  1. THE DECLARATION OF PARIS. 78 words
    2. cc15-6
  2. RICHMOND PARK. 420 words
    3. cc16-7
  3. IRELAND—MR. CREAGH, J.P. 363 words
    4. cc17-8
  4. WESTMEATH EXTRA POLICE. 94 words
    5. c18
  5. DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONERS. 187 words
    6. cc18-20
  6. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AT MERTHYR. 572 words
    7. cc20-1
  7. THE CORK SUB-COMMISSION. 428 words
    8. cc21-2
  8. MRS. HINDS' TENANTS. 150 words
    9. c22
  9. PROCESS SERVING IN KILCAR. 142 words
    10. cc22-3
  10. THE POTATO CROP IN DONEGAL. 380 words
    11. cc23-4
  11. TRALEE ASSIZE COURT. 245 words
    12. cc24-5
  12. THE POLICE AT FERMOY. 409 words
    13. cc25-6
  13. BOOING MR. BALFOUR. 416 words
    14. cc26-7
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    15. c27
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    16. cc27-8
  16. IRELAND—THE FALCARRAGH PRISONERS. 356 words
    17. cc28-9
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    18. cc29-30
  18. THE SHERIFF DEPUTE OF CAITHNESS. 373 words
    19. cc30-1
  19. TROOPS IN IRELAND. 82 words
    20. c31
  20. POLICE PASSES IN GWEEDORE. 231 words
    21. cc31-2
  21. LIABILITY FOR POOR'S RATE. 252 words
    22. cc32-3
  22. SHERIFF CLERK DEPUTES AND PROCURATORS FISCAL. 258 words
    23. c33
  23. PICKETING AMONG SCOTCH MINERS. 102 words