§ MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that, on the 14th instant, the ship Norfolk Island, from Adelaide, upon her arrival at Queenstown on that date, reported having met with, in latitude 51.12 N., and longitude 10.23 W., right in the track of ocean-going steamers off the coast of Ireland, a derelict of about 150 tons register, with no sign of life on Board; what steps have the Government taken to remove the obstruction in the way of passengers and sailors; and, whether, if no steps have yet been taken, the Board of Trade will immediately direct the attention of the Trinity Board to the derelict?
§ MR. J. BRYCEI noticed a statement in the Shipping Gazette of the 15th instant, that the derelict referred to by the hon. Member had been met with on the 12th instant about 20 miles S.W. of Mizen Head. The Board were advised that the S.E. winds which have uniformly prevailed off the S.W. coast of Ireland since the derelict was met with on the 12th, would have caused her to drift away from the coast, and out of the track adopted by the Atlantic Traders. The facts are no doubt equally known to the Trinity House, and there has, therefore, been no occasion to communicate with them.