§ MAJOR JAMESON (Clare, W.)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he will state at what length of cable the Barrels Lightship was riding when she broke adrift, and at what distance from the mushroom the cable parted; and if he will supply a list of the Irish lightships which have broken adrift during the last ten years, and the reasons for their having done so.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that this lightship was riding to about 200 fathoms of chain when she broke adrift, and that the chain parted at about 80 fathoms from the mushroom. I am also informed that the only other lightships which have broken adrift during the past ten years are the Coning-beg (on 15th instant), the Daunts Rock (on 22nd January, 1903), and the South Arklow (on 3rd November, 1899), and that in each of these instances the cause was the parting of the cable during a severe gale.