§ 16. Mr. SEXTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Brighton," which was recently in difficulties on the cross-Channel service, she fully complied with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; if not, in what respect she did not; whether the vessel was fitted with direction-finding apparatus; whether this apparatus was brought into use; how many passengers and crew were aboard: and whether they suffered any inconvenience?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI am informed that the steamer "Brighton," which was recently in difficulties in the Channel, fully complied with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. The vessel is not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. There were 35 passengers and 51 crew on board, and they experienced, I am informed, no inconvenience.
§ 17. Mr. SEXTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Darlington," which was recently in collision, he will give particulars whether she fully com plied with the Merchant Shipping (Wire less Telegrapy) Act, 1919, and, if not, in what respect she did not; whether she was fitted with wireless direction- finding apparatus; whether this was brought into use, and, if not, for what reason; and how many persons were aboard?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe steamer "Darlington" is a small vessel of less than 1,600 tons gross tonnage, and, not 274 being a passenger ship, is not subject to the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. She was not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. The total number of persons on board at the time of the casualty was 32.
§ Mr. D. HERBERTDid this ship carry any valuable cargo at all?
§ 18. Mr. SHORTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Antwerp" which was recently in difficulties, he will give particulars whether she fully com plied with the Merchant Shipping (Wire less Telegraphy) Act, 1919, and, if not, in what respect she did not; whether she was fitted with wireless direction-finding apparatus; whether this was brought into use; and how many persons were aboard?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe steamer "Antwerp," which was recently in difficulties, fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. She is not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. The total number of persons on board at the time was 138.
§ 19. Mr. HAYESasked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships, normally subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, have been reported overdue since 26th November, 1925; how many have failed so far to reach their destinations; and will he name the vessel or vessels?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe number of vessels normally subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, which were reported overdue since 26th November is six. All these vessels have arrived safely in port.
§ 20. Mr. HAYESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Essex Chase," carrying passengers, was due at Philadelphia on the 29th January; whether she has yet arrived; if not, whether she is presumed lost; whether she fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; if not, in what respect she did not; and what was the total number of persons aboard?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKIt is reported that the steamer "Essex Chase" reached the Azores on the 20th February, short of 275 coal. I am informed that she did not carry any passengers. No wireless operator was engaged prior to the vessel's departure from the United Kingdom on the 9th January.
§ 21. Mr. LEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the German steamer "Poseidon" recently collided with and sank the French steamer "Deputé Henri Durre"; whether any British steamers in the vicinity were able to answer the call; and how many persons were involved in the collision?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI am aware that a collision occurred near Antwerp on the 13th February between the German steamer "Poseidon" and the French steamer "Deputé Henri Durre," and that the latter vessel sank. I have no information as to whether any wireless signals were sent out by these vessels, nor as to the number of persons involved in the collision.
§ 23. Mr. THOMAS KENNEDYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wireless-operator Fraser was recently sent from Hull to Newcastle to join the steamer "Silverpine," while steamers in Hull were unable to secure operators and were allowed to proceed to sea without complying with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; whether the "Silverpine" is owned by a company subsidised by the Government; and whether Government subsidised companies are receiving any preferential treatment in the matter of the supply of operators during the marine wireless dispute?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI am informed by the Marconi International Marine Communication Company that a wireless operator was sent from Hull to Newcastle to join the s.s. "Silverpine." This vessel was proceeding on foreign service for an indefinite period, and it was, therefore, deemed advisable to appoint an operator who was willing to accept duty on this particular ship. The s.s. "Silverpine" does not, at the moment, belong to a company in respect of which a guarantee has been given under the Trade Facilities Act, but is in course of transfer to such a company. 276 The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 24. Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steam trawler "Tenby Castle" recently sent out a distress call; whether the call was picked up by any vessel in the vicinity; whether the "Tenby Castle" and her crew are lost; and will he give full particulars?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKDistress signals sent out by the "Tenby Castle" at 5.14 a.m. on 14th February, were picked up by Valentia Wireless Station and by several ships which were too far away to be of assistance. A general message to trawlers in the vicinity was sent out by Valentia at 8 a.m., when the operators on the trawlers came on watch, and it was picked up (by the steam trawler "Cardigan Castle" and others. The crew of the "Tenby Castle" were saved in their lifeboat, reaching the shore at 10 a.m. I regret to say that in searching for the "Tenby Castle" the "Cardigan Castle" was lost, and, so far as reported, only one of her crew has been saved.
§ 25. Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wireless operators A. G. White, late of the steamer "Marlock," and E. J. Cook, late of the steamer "Ranchi," have been available at the revised rates of pay since 7th February; whether he permitted the steamers "Trevalgan," "Albany," "Portloe," "Phyllis-seed," "Archmell," "Pensilva," "Blythmoor," "Ronda," "Bencorlic," "King- guffydd," "Ladykirk," "Ladyastley," and "Parkhill," to sail without operators contrary to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; and, if so, on what grounds?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe answer is a long one, and, if the hon. Member sees no objection, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ I am informed that Mr. White was serving on board the s.s. "Marloch" when that vessel was in collision with the s.s. "Whimbrel" on the 2nd February, and that when the "Marloch's" lifeboat was launched he joined in the search party for the crew of the "Whimbrel." In consequence of this he suffered from severe exposure, but 277 maintained a continuous wireless watch on board the "Marloch." until her arrival at Southampton, and in view of the very long hours of duty and the trying ordeal experienced by this operator, he was granted fourteen days' special leave in which to recuperate. As regards Mr. Cook, I am informed that the steamer "Ranchi" arrived, in London on the 4th February and was booked to sail, and did sail, on the 19th February. During the time the ship was in port Mr. Cook had certain duties to perform, and owing to the state of his health it was necessary to give him a few days' rest. Of the other steamers mentioned, two left carrying operators. The reasons why the Board of Trade, during the late dispute, allowed vessels to sail without operators have been frequently stated.