MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whose duty was it, when there appeared imminent danger of the Victoria sinking, to call up the engineers and stokers from the engine room and stokehold; and why was this duty not performed?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe men were all at their stations hoping to save the ship, and, according to the reports which have been published, the final lurch and foundering appear to have been so sudden as to leave no time for giving orders to abandon the ship. It cannot but be a matter of surprise and regret that such questions should be asked conveying imputations which should not have to be answered, especially before the proceedings of the Court Mar- 1192 tial have been received and considered by the Admiralty.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI must press the right hon. Gentleman for an answer to this question. These stokers and engineers have had their lives sacrificed. I must ask whose duty it was to call them up, and why that duty was not performed? If the right hon. Gentleman distinctly refuses to answer I shall know what to do.
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe suggestion that it was any one's duty is an imputation of neglect. I cannot answer the question.