HC Deb 03 March 1908 vol 185 cc493-508
MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the death from heart failure of a coal trimmer named Jobanalla Allimalla, on 11th June last, on the steamship "Clan Macneil"; what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; and how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Shipping Master at Bombay, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Glasgow. The man had been ill and off duty for over six weeks, and had received medical treatment in port. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was twenty-eight tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was nineteen, and the consumption of coal per man was about 1½ tons.

MR. BRACE (Glamorganshire, S.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the death from heart failure of a fireman named T. Lawson, on the 27th May last, on board the steamship "Evan-geline"; what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; and how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Vice-Consul at Civita Vecchia and a certificate signed by a doctor at Dover, where the body was landed, states that death was due to heart failure. The man had been a draughtsman and was unused to the work. He had been less than a day on board and was taken ill in his first watch. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 16.06. The number of firemen and trimmers was seven and the consumption of coal per man was a little over 2¼tons.

MR. J. WILLIAMS (Glamorganshire, W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the death from heat apoplexy of a fireman named Moossa Camma, on 10th June last, on the steamship "Peninsular"; what was the coal consumption on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed as firemen and trimmers; and how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Shipping Master at Aden, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Tilbury, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer in London. The man died of heat apoplexy after one day at sea. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was about 100 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was forty-seven, and the consumption of coal per man was about 21/7 tons.

MR. REDDY (King's County, Birr)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of Allimea Ahmedally, a coal trimmer, on 18th May last, who was serving on the steamship "Okara"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) All deaths of seamen receive the attention of the Board of Trade. The present case was reported by the Shipping Master at Bombay. The man died in hospital at Bombay. The vessel was employed in the coasting trade of India, and she was of course run under the regulations of the Government of India as regards victualling and crew space. Assuming that she carried the number of men certified for (thirty-six) the space per man would be 98¾81 cubic feet.

MR. REDDY

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the death of Aftar Ulia, a donkeyman, on 26th May last, who was serving on the steamship "Sikh"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic spice per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Vice-Consul at Norfolk, Virginia. The man had been suffering from tuberculosis throughout the voyage from Singapore, and died in hospital at Norfolk. Assuming that the vessel carried the number of firemen certified for (sixteen) the space per man would be 175¾46 cubic feet.

MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the supposed suicide of an Asiatic seaman named Khan Hassan Baba on board the steamer "Electra," on 29th May last; if he can say whether this man was working as a stoker; how many men were engaged as stokers on the "Electra"; what was the daily consumption of coal on board; and how many tons of coal each stoker was called upon, to handle during the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Assistant Resident at Aden, who reported that the man had been ill and was treated by the ship's surgeon for incipient pneumonia. I am informed that the man was not a stoker, but a deck hand, and had been only three days in the ship. I have no information as to the consumption of coal or number of firemen and trimmers employed in this case.

MR. C. DUNCAN

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of Takood-hone Assamala, aged eighteen, a coal trimmer, on 18th July last, who was serving on the steamship "Loch Tay"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Acting Consul at Rotterdam and the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Barry. The man is reported to have suffered from consumption for several months, and died in hospital at Rotterdam. Assuming that the vessel carried the number of firemen certified for (twenty-two), the space per man would be 105¾23 cubic feet.

MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, N.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the death of Sedeyak Abeedalli, a coal trimmer, on 28th June last, who was serving on the steamship "Glenelg"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on that vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at North Shields. The man died at Antwerp after a fortnight's illness. Assuming that the vessel carried the number of firemen certified for (twenty), the space per man would be 115¾25 cubic feet.

MR. HOGAN

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of Cajee Rahim Cajee Esmail, a fireman, on 16th May last, who was serving on the steamship "Beira"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Vice-Consul at Hamburg. The man died in hospital at Hamburg after discharge. The owner stated that he was suffering from enteric and diarrhœa. Assuming that the vessel carried the number of firemen certified for (twenty-one), the space par man would be 101¾1 cubic feet.

MR. N. J. MURPHY (Kilkenny, S.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of Tomnorooz Alli, a coal trimmer, on 9th May last, who was serving on the steamship "Sangola"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the shipping master at Bombay. Man died of pneumonia after a few days illness. Assuming that the vessel carried the number (thirty) of firemen certified for when last in the United Kingdom, the space per man would be 102¾9 cubic feet.

MR. N. J. MURPHY

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths that are continually occurring amongst Asiatic and other seamen from diseases of the chest and lungs; whether any inquiry was held as to the circumstances attending the death of Awany Bin Aroon, a seaman, on 25th June last, who was serving on the steamship "Indradedo"; and whether he can state the amount of cubic space per man provided on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Acting Consul-General at Antwerp. The man died in hospital at Antwerp after discharge from the ship. Assuming that the vessel carried the number of seamen certified for (fourteen), the space per man would be 145¾3 cubic feet.

MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the death from supposed heart disease of a coal trimmer named Abdoal Hassein, on 9th June last, on the steamship "Sutherland"; what was the coal consumption on this vessel for each, twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; and how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the assistant shipping master at Calcutta, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Cardiff. The man is said to have had symptoms of previous trouble. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 24 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was sixteen, and the consumption of coal per man was 1½ tons.

MR. O'GRADY

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the alleged suicide of an Asiatic fireman, named Mahomed Salter Deen, on 20th April last, on board of the British steamer "Industry"; if he can say what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as trimmers and firemen; how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours; and whether any suicides of firemen had previously occurred on board this ship.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Acting Vice-Consul at Bahia Blanca, the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine at Barry, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Cardiff. The cause of the man's disappearance was not discovered. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 34 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was eighteen, and the consumption of coal per man was 1 8/9 tons.

* MR. MACPHERSON (Preston)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food; whether his attention has been called to the death of an Asiatic fireman who was serving on the British steamer "Teesta," and who died from beri-beri on 2nd June, 1907; whether he is in a position to say if any inquiry was held in this case; and if it was shown that the food provided for the crew of the "Teesta" was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The cause of beri-beri does not appear to have been very definitely ascertained, but probably bad and insufficient food predisposes to the disease. The Board of Trade are in communication with the Royal College of Physicians on the subject. The fireman referred to in the Question is probably Mozaffer Alley, fireman of the "Teesta," who died whilst a passenger on board the "Gwalior." A Return was received from the Negapatam Port Officer containing a certificate of death from beriberi, signed by the medical officer. The "Teesta" is employed in the coasting trade of India under local management, and is run under the regulations of the Government of India as regards victualling and crew space. I have no reason to believe that those regulations have not been complied with.

MR. MACPHERSON

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food; whether his attention has been called to the death of an Asiatic fireman, named Chin Cha, La, who was serving on the steamship "Winnebago," and who died from beriberi on 26th June last; whether any inquiry was held into this case; and if it was shown that the food provided for the crew of the "Winnebago" was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was made into the death of the fireman Chin Cha La on board the "Winnebago" by the Acting Consul General at San Francisco, who reported that the death was owing to beri-beri, apparently of long standing. No complaints have been received with regard to the food, and I have no reason to believe it was inadequate.

MR. JOWETT (Bradford, W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the death from heat apoplexy of an Asiatic fireman named Min Hie, on 2nd May last, on board the steamship "Radnorshire"; what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; and how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Deputy Master Attendant at Singapore. The number of firemen and trimmers was twelve, but, as the vessel was sold to foreigners, and did not return to this country, the particulars as to coal consumption cannot be supplied.

MR. JOWETT

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the suicide of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Ismile Mahd, on 7th May last, on board the steamship "Flamingo"; what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours; and whether any suicides of firemen had previously occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Assistant Shipping Master at Calcutta, but the cause of suicide was not discovered. As the ship is trading abroad particulars of the consumption of coal cannot be given, but the number of firemen and trimmers was eighteen. Two other cases of disappearance from this vessel have been reported since July, 1901.

MR. ALBERT STANLEY (Staffordshire, N.W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the supposed suicide of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Sk Alley Abdorman, on 4th August last, who was serving on the steamship "Marva"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Consul-General at Antwerp, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Hull, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Hull. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 38 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was twenty-five. Two other cases of supposed suicide from this vessel have been reported, and are-the subjects of Questions by the hon. Members for West Belfast and the Black-friars Division of Glasgow.

MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the suicide of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Joona Osman, on 26th July last, who was serving on the steamship "Marva"; what, was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Consul-General at Antwerp, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Hull. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 38 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was twenty-five. Two other cases of disappearance from this vessel have been reported and are the subjects of questions by the hon. Members for North West Staffordshire and the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow.

MR. W. E. HARVEY (Derbyshire, N.E.)

To ask the President of the-Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the deaths of Asiatic and other seamen that are continually occurring on British ships from chest and lung complaints; whether any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the death of Sha Mahomed Bawall, on 29th August last, whilst serving on the steamship "Egypt"; and what was the cubic space allowed for each man.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Deputy Shipping; Master at Bombay and the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Tilbury. The man was a greaser and was returning invalided to Bombay by the "Egypt." He was in an advanced state of tuberculosis when taken on board. Assuming that the vessel had on board the number of firemen certified for (ninety) the space per man would be 92.70 cubic feet, but the owners state that she had only eighty-one men, which would give 100 cubic feet per man.

MR. E. EDWARDS (Hanley)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the circumstances respecting the disappearance at sea of an Asiatic named Wong Fook, on 24th August last, whilst serving as fireman on the steamship "Agamemnon"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many firemen and trimmers were employed; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearances had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Pro-Consul at Shanghai and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Liverpool. The man had only been at sea in the ship one day, and trimming was not hard as bunkers were full. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 57 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was twenty-five. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have been reported.

MR. BARNES (Glasgow, Blackfriars)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the circumstances respecting the supposed suicide of Ensorf K. Cassum K., an Asiatic fireman, on 16th July last, whilst serving on the steamship "Maroa"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many firemen and trimmers were employed; and whether any previous cases of suicide, or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Consul General at Antwerp, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Hull. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 38 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers were twenty-five. Two other cases of supposed suicide from this vessel have been reported, and are subjects of Questions by the hon. Members for North West Staffordshire and West Belfast.

MR. SEDDON (Lancashire, Newton)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the supposed suicide of Alley Mohammed an Asiatic coal trimmer, on 21st August last, whilst serving on the steamship "Bohemia"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Assistant Resident at Perim, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Glasgow. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 28 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was eighteen. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have been reported.

MR. SEDDON

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the disappearance at sea of Khoosidallee Munshuff, an Asiatic coal trimmer, on 20th August last, whilst serving on the steamship "Pundit"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide, or supposed suicide, or disappearance, had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Rangoon, but the cause of the man's disappearance was not discovered. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was twenty-eight tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was twenty-four. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have been reported.

MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food; whether his attention his been called to the death of an Asiatic fireman, named Tang Wa, on 20th July-last, whilst serving on the steamship "Montrose"; and whether he has reason to suppose the food supplied on this vessel was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-Goerge.) Inquiry was made into the death of the fireman Tang Wa on board the "Montrose" by the Vice-Consul at New York, who reported that the man died from beri-beri after a month's illness, during which he received every attention. No other case of beri-beri occurred during the voyage. No complaint has been received with regard to the food, and I have no reason to believe it was inadequate. The owners state that the provisions cost 1s. 6d per head per day.

MR. T. F. RICHARDS

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food; whether his attention has been called to the death of an Asiatic trimmer named Mozafar, on 7th August last, who was serving on the steamship "Inkum"; and whether he has reason to suppose the food supplied on this vessel was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was made into the death of the trimmer Mozafar of the "Inkum," which occurred in hospital at Rotterdam, and the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Cardiff, who reported that it was owing to beri-beri. No complaint has been made with regard to the food, and I have no reason to believe it was in adequate.

MR. WALSH (Lancashire, Ince)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the suicide of Abdool Muttlah, an Asiatic coal trimmer, on 1st August last, whilst serving on the steamship "Clan Lindsay"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Port Natal Deputy Shipping Master, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Glasgow, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer in London, but the cause of suicide was not discovered. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 37 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was eighteen. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have been reported.

MR. WALSH

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the death from heart failure of Leong Sow, an Asiatic fireman, on 11th September last, whilst serving on the steamship "Cowrie"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; and how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Acting Vice-Consul at Constantinople, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Cardiff. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 34 tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was thirteen.

MR. THOMAS RICHARDS (Monmouthshire, W.)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the circumstances attending the disappearance at sea of an Asiatic fireman named Ynen Kay, on 15th June last, from the steamship "Boscombe," what was the coal consumption on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as firemen and trimmers; how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours; and whether any disappearances or suicides of firemen had previously occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Shipping Master at Bombay, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Liverpool. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 28 tons (Indian.) The number of firemen and trimmers was nine, assisted by three deck hands. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have teen reported, except that of a trimmer, respecting whom the hon. Member has asked a Question.

MR. THOMAS RICHARDS

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if any inquiry was held into the disappearance of sea of a Chinese coal trimmer named Lee Eng, on 25th May last, on board the steamship "Boscombe"; if he can say what was the consumption of coal on this vessel for each twenty-four hours; how many men were actually employed on her as trimmers and fire: men; how much coal was each man required to work in the twenty-four hours; and whether any disappearances or sucides of firemen had previously Occurred on board this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George) Inquiry was held by the Shipping Master at Calcutta, the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and the Principal Board of Trade Officer at Liverpool. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was 24 tons (Japanese.) The number of firemen and trimmers was nine. No other case of suicide or disappearance has been reported except that of a fireman respecting whom the hon. Member has asked a Question.

MR. COOPER (Southwark, Bermondsey)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food; whether his attention has been called to the death of an Asiatic fireman named Tang Wa, on 20th July last, whilst serving on the steamship "Montrose"; and whether he has reason to suppose the food supplied on this vessel was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was made into the death of the fireman Tang Wa on board the "Montrose" by the Vice-Consul at New York, who reported that the man died from beri-beri after a month's illness, during which he received every attention. No other case of beri-beri occurred during the voyage. No complaint has been received with regard to the food, and I have no reason to believe it was inadequate. The owners state that the provisions cost 1s. 6d per head per day.

MR. COOPER

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that medical opinion holds that beri-beri is a disease due to the want of proper and sufficient food, whether his attention has been called to the death of an Asiatic trimmer, named Mozafar, on 7th August last, who was serving on the steamship "Inkum;" and whether he has reason to suppose the food supplied on this vessel was adequate.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was made into the death of the trimmer Mozafar of the "Inkum," which occurred in hospital at Rotterdam, by the Acting Consul at Rotterdam and the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Cardiff, who reported that it was owing to beri-beri. No complaint has been made with regard to the food, and I have no reason to believe it was inadequate.

MR. JOYCE (Limerick)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any inquiry was held into the supposed suicide of an Asiatic fireman named Wong Ah Sam, on 19th April last, who was serving on the steamship "River-dale"; what was the coal consumption for each twenty-four hours; how many men were employed as firemen and trimmers; and whether any previous cases of suicide or supposed suicide had occurred on this vessel.

(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Inquiry was held by the Vice-Consul at Sourabaya, but the cause of the man's disappearance was not discovered. The consumption of coal per twenty-four hours was about 24½ tons. The number of firemen and trimmers was eleven. No other cases of suicide or disappearance have been reported.