MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the allegation that on Thursday, 4th February, in Portsmouth Harbour, H.M.S. Inflexible parted her bridles, and would have drifted, broadside on, on to the ram of H.M.S. Hero, which was only prevented by the promptitude and presence of mind displayed by the officers and crews of both ships; and whether the Admiralty will make further inquiry into the occurrences of narrow escapes of ramming one of Her Majesty's ships by another?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYOur information says nothing about the ram of the Hero. Whenever any accident happens, or any occurrence takes place which seems to demand inquiry, inquiry is forthwith made.