HC Deb 07 February 1895 vol 30 cc203-4
MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship Elbe, which recently foundered in the North Sea, under such lamentable circumstances, is a source of serious difficulty to navigation, and particularly to fishing boats, as the vessel now lies in the centre of the fishing grounds; whether it is in the power of the Board of Trade to take any steps for the removal of the danger; and, if the Board have no jurisdiction, whether he can state with whom the responsibility rests; and whether he will take any steps to assist in the matter by communication with the Dutch Government, or the Trinity Brethren, or otherwise?

MR. BRYCE

I have received no reports that the sunken steamship Elbe is an obstruction to navigation, although it is understood that many boats are cruising about the neighbourhood. On receipt of any authentic information I will at once communicate with the Trinity House. The Board of Trade have no power to destroy wrecks, but the Trinity House are in the habit of doing so in proper cases. In such a case as the present I should suppose that they would, before taking any steps, communicate with the owners of the vessel. The depth of water in the neighbourhood of the wreck varies from 10 to 20 fathoms—60 to 120 feet.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

said, that in asking his question he had in view the danger, not to navigation, but to the fishing and trawling interests.

MR. BRYCE

said, that the question related to the danger to navigation only.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

hoped that the right hon. Gentleman would take the danger to the fishing interests into consideration, and that he would request the Trinity House to place a lightship over the spot where the wreck lay.

MR. BRYCE

said, that if the hon. Member could show that any danger to the fishing interests existed it would at once become a question for the Trinity House to consider what steps should be taken.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

asked whether it was not a fact that the wreck was in the way of the trawlers?

MR. BRYCE

said, he could quite understand that there might be some danger to trawlers from the position of the wreck; but the subject certainly was not referred to in the question.