§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the following British registered steamships have foundered or are missing since June, 1898: s.s. "Eira," s.s. "Tina," s.s. "Harbinger," s.s. "Arno," s.s. "Earnock," s.s. "Almida," s.s. "Recepta," s.s. "Dora Foster," s.s. "Caradoc," s.s. "Arona," s.s. "Laughton," 32 s.s. "Wooler,' s.s. "Boadicea," s.s. "Picton," s.s. "Oberon," s.s. "City of Wakefield," s.s. "Croft," s.s. "Port Melbourne"; also that the following British registered sailing vessels foundered or are missing since June, 1898: "Celtic Bard," "Rose," "Montague," "Marlborough," "Village Belle," "Iddesleigh," "Aldboro," "Sunbeam," "Dora," "Andelina," "Sefton," "Hawkesdale," "Dechmont," "Laurel Bank," "David Morgan," "Atlanta"; whether he can state the number of persons carried on these vessels as crew or passengers, and the number who lost their lives on such vessels; and whether any inquiries have been held to ascertain the cause of the loss of these vessels, and in how many of these cases have no inquiries been held.
§ MR. RITCHIEThe list of steamships foundered or missing, as given in the question, is correct, except with regard to the "Harbinger," which is reported to have arrived on the 3rd instant, the "Arno," which was lost by stranding, and the "Caradoc" and "Boadicea," which were sailing vessels—not steamers. The list of sailing ships foundered or missing is correct, except with regard to the "Dechmont," which is reported to be now on her voyage from Caleta Buena to London, the "Sefton" and the "Hawkesdale," which were lost by stranding, and the "Marlborough," which was lost in April, 1898 (not since June, 1898). The number of persons carried on the vessels which were lost was 605 (including one passenger, the wife of a master), and the number of persons lost was 545, including the passenger. In six cases ("Arno," "Earnock," "Wooler," "Montagu," "Hawkesdale," and "Atalanta") formal inquiries have been held. In one case ("Recepta") inquiry was ordered, but had to be abandoned for want of evidence. In three cases ("Caradoc," "Celtic Bard," and "Laurelbank") inquiries have been ordered, and are pending. In the remaining cases mentioned in the question all available information was obtained by the Board of Trade; but the Department were of opinion, after consideration of such information, that normal inquiries would be without useful result.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why no inquiry was held with regard to the loss of the eight steamers which foundered in 33 January and February last in the Atlantic Ocean?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order! That is not the question on the Paper. The hon. Member must give notice.
§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONThe names of the vessels are in the question; but it is quite true I have not asked why the inquiry was not held.