HC Deb 27 November 1902 vol 115 cc610-1
MR. SOARES (Devonshire,) Barnstaple

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on Thursday night, the 13th instant, two vessels, i. e., the "Bessie Clark," of Braunton, North Devon, and the "Ouse," of Appledore, were in a serious danger of being wrecked after crossing the bar at the mouth of the estuary of the Taw and Torridge; whether he is aware that flareups were burnt as danger signals by the crew of the "Ouse," and by the crew of the "James," of Appledore; whether he is aware that no notice was taken, and no assistance rendered by any one; and will he cause inquiry to be made into the failure of the coastguard to keep a look-out in this case.

(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I have obtained a Report on the case to which the hon. Member refers from the Inspecting Commander of Ilfracombe Division of Coastguard. It appears that the flares were seen by the coastguard both at Downend Point and Westward Ho, but as the weather was fine at the time and the wind moderate it was supposed that they were intended as a signal for a pilot. The coxswain of the Appledore lifeboat is stated to have understood the signals in the same way. I will make further inquiry as to the confusion of signals that appears to have arisen.