§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked do the Admiralty authorities consider that tin officer commanding one of His Majesty's ships is responsible for the safety of the vessel he commands; and, if so, will they state the reason why the officer on the watch in charge of the "Blackwater," on the occasion of her collision, was tried by court-martial in place of the officer commanding the ship?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe officer in command is primarily responsible for the safety of his ship. In this case the collision occurred at night, when the officer of the watch was in charge. When the commanding officer was sent for to come on deck it was too late for him then to avert the collision.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREHas not the Admiralty readjusted the King's rules in regard to courts martial? Ought not the court martial to have been held primarily at any rate on the commanding officer?
§ Mr. McKENNAPrimá facie that would be so, but in the circumstances of the present case the court martial was properly held on the officer in charge of the watch.