§ Mr. JAMES PARKER (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention had been called to the death at sea on 27th September, 1909, of an Asiatic coal trimmer, named Allee Mahomed Rajan, whilst serving on the steamer "Mahronda," of Liverpool; whether any inquiry had been held into the matter; and whether he could state the circumstances attending the seaman's death?
Mr. BUXTONYes, Sir. The disappearance of the trimmer belonging to the "Mahronda" was inquired into by His Majesty's Consul-General at Port Said, by the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Tilbury, and by one of the Board of Trade surveyors. The man disappeared while dumping ashes, but no one saw him go overboard and no reason for his disappearance can be assigned.
§ Mr. JAMES PARKER (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea, on 30th July, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Annisalla Cadis Mahd, whilst serving on the steamer "Arracan," of Glasgow: whether he could state the cause of death; and, if so, why the cause was not given in the Return of Deaths, published 743 by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, for the month of September, 1909?
Mr. BUXTONThe cause of death in the case of the Asiatic fireman referred to while serving on the steamer "Arracan" was not given in the Return of Deaths published by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, as it was not shown in the return from which the other particulars of the occurrence were taken, but according to the official log book, and a return subsequently received, the man is supposed to have died from the after effects of a specific disease.
§ Mr. JAMES PARKER (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the disappearance at sea, on 23rd August, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Shibatoola Romeezoola, whilst serving on the steamer "City of London" of Glasgow; whether any inquiry had been held into the matter; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining; how long he had served on the vessel, and whether he had had any previous sea service; whether he was on duty at the time; what was the temperature of the engine-room and stokehold; how many tons of coal the engine-room hands were required to work each twenty-four hours; and whether any previous cases of death from suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance had occurred on this vessel?
Mr. BUXTONThe disappearance of the Asiatic fireman referred to from the steamer "City of London" was inquired into by His Majesty's Acting Consul-General at Port Said, by the Assistant Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Glasgow, and by one of the Board of Trade surveyors. I am informed that the man was medically examined at Calcutta previous to being engaged, and that he had had previous sea service. He had served on the steamer twelve days, and was on duty when he disappeared. The temperature of the engine-room on the day of his disappearance was 100 degrees, and of the stokehold 96 degrees. The coal consumption was 90 tons per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers was forty-eight. No previous cases of death from suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel.
§ Mr. REESIn respect of this deceased seaman, or of those mentioned in previous 744 questions to-day, were any complaints received against the masters or owners of the vessels concerned?