§ MR. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, on the 18th instant, the schooner Ruth, from Malmo, was reported to have been seen waterlogged as a floating derelict about 60 miles west of the Naze, in the track of passenger steamers and timber ships in the North Sea, sailing from Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Germany to England, America, and other parts, to the great risk and danger of those vessels travelling in the usual trade route of the North Sea; if this be so, whether he will inform the Trinity Board of the fact, and instruct them to search for this dangerous floating derelict with a view to its immediate destruction, so as to prevent any further possible disaster of a like sort in this much-frequented part of the North Sea?
§ MR. BRYCEThis derelict reported by a sailing vessel arriving at Buckie on the 18th instant was sighted on fire some days previously in the position stated, which is about 40 miles from the coast of Norway. I am advised that it is not expedient to instruct the Trinity House to detach one of their tenders from their important lighthouse duties for the purpose of searching for and endeavouring to destroy a derelict which was more than 200 miles from the British coast about a week ago and so near to the coast of a neighbouring Power.
§ MR. MACDONAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the Surrey Commercial Docks there is an immense number of vessels and steamers which constantly ply between this country and Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic. As this derelict will constitute a grave danger to them and to the lives of the seamen, will the right hon. Gentleman urge the Government to attend to the matter?
§ MR. BRYCEI am well aware there is a large trade between this country and Norway; but, as this vessel was last seen within 20 miles of the Norwegian coast, in all probability it has gone ashore now, and more harm would be likely to result from taking a Trinity House tender from her duties to search for it than by leaving the matter as it stands.
§ MR. TOMLINSONIf, as the right hon. Gentleman seems to imply, the duty of destroying this derelict rests with Norway cannot he negotiate with Foreign Governments for an International arrangement?
§ MR. BRYCEWhat I said was that in all probability the vessel had floated ashore by this time. Negotiations are in progress on the general question.
§ MR. MACDONAHave not the American Government been in the habit of destroying English derelicts near their coasts, and ought not a large Mercantile Power like England to show the same solicitude for the common safety?
§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTIs there any proof that the vessel has gone ashore?
§ MR. BRYCEIf the hon. Member for Central Sheffield had listened to my answer he would have heard that the vessel was last sighted on the 18th instant, and was then some distance from the shore. It is quite true the American Government have destroyed derelicts when able to do so. But the point is that we have not a vessel at our disposal.
§ MR. MACDONAWill the right hon. Gentleman apply to the Admiralty for a vessel?
§ [No answer was given.]