HC Deb 20 May 1895 vol 33 cc1608-9
MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the White Star and Cunard Lines of Atlantic steamers have within the last month joined together to charter a tug to steam for a fortnight off the West Coast of Ireland, in search of derelicts, as an experiment; whether the Admiralty followed suit and also sent out a tug for the same purpose; whether the Liverpool Steam Tug Company also joined in this search for derelicts, and ultimately succeeded in finding the large derelict Birgette in the Atlantic and safely towed her into Queenstown Harbour; and, whether this great success will encourage the Admiralty to renewed efforts in this direction and induce it to send out a tug or tugs again until all dangerous derelicts in the track of oceangoing ships are destroyed or brought into port?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

No information as to the action of the White Star and Cunard lines of steamers in searching for derelicts has been received at the Admiralty. In the case of the Birgette, the Admiralty became aware that this derelict—one of the rare cases of a derelict ship remaining long afloat—was approaching the concentrated trade route at the entrance of the Channel. One of Her Majesty's ships was, therefore, sent to search for her. The search was continued for 13 days, but was unsuccessful. She was eventually picked up by a private tug and towed into Queenstown. It has been the practice of the Admiralty to send one of Her Majesty's ships, when available, to search for derelicts in such cases as that of the Birgette, and it is not proposed to depart from this practice in the future.

MR. MACDONA

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would give instructions to the Admiralty to obtain information as to what had been done by the White Star and Cunard lines in the matter.

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

What has been done by the White Star and Cunard Lines is no business of the Admiralty.