§ 9. Mr. SNELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the loss of the flat-bottomed barge "Lord Kitchener," at Redlan Cove, near Dartmouth, on the 17th January, when Herbert Ambrose, 21 years of age, and Charles M'Cann, aged 15, were drowned; if he is aware that this barge was sent out empty on a deep-sea voyage in the depth of winter, in the charge of a captain of 22 years of age and the two young men who lost their lives; and will he have a formal investigation made as to why three inexperienced young men were sent out to sea in such a boat in winter weather?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy attention has been called to this case. I am informed that the master, though young, had had eight years' experience of this type of craft, and was specially recommended by masters under whom he had previously served; also, that the barge was specially built to navigate safely without cargo. On the information available, the Board of Trade do not regard the case as one in which it is necessary, in the public interest, to order a formal investigation.
§ Mr. SNELLHas the right hon. Gentleman made up his mind that it is really fit that three young men, the eldest of whom is 22, should be sent out in midwinter in a flat-bottomed barge of this, kind?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have answered the hon. Member's question about the age of the man who was master 1815 of this vessel, and he certainly had from the captains under whom he had served the very strongest recommendations for the post to which he was appointed.
Commander WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a case which would enable his Department to go into the whole of this question very closely to see whether new regulations are not required in some of these cases?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, that really would not be the result of such an. inquiry. I think my hon. and gallant Friend has a certain confusion of thought as to what an inquiry of this kind is for. An inquiry of the kind suggested is to elucidate the particular facts with regard to a particular accident. As to that, I think there is no dispute, and therefore there is no case for a further inquiry.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the finest ships that ever put to sea have been commanded by men of 22 years of age?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am sure both the hon. and gallant Member and myself would be far from saying that comparative youth is a bar.