§ SIR E. GREY (Northumberland, Berwick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the wreck of the steamer Holmrook, off Holy Island, Northumberland, on the night of Saturday, the 26th, when eleven men were drowned, and also to the presentment of the Coroner's jury, to the effect that a lighthouse ought to be constructed at Emmanuel Head, on Holy Island; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the needs of the case?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)My attention has been called to the circumstances of the case to which the hon. Member refers. I am advised that in reasonably clear weather the position referred to is covered by the St. Abb's Head light to the north and the Farn Islands lights to the south. The outlying dangers of Holy Island are some nine miles distant from the latter lights, which have a range 677 of 14 and 15 miles. From the deposition of the survivor of the Holmrook, it appears that the weather at the time was densely thick with snow. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by holding a formal inquiry in reference to this case, which, so far as I have gathered, appears to have been one of reckless navigation.