§ Earl GRANVILLE,in moving for the Report of Mr. Rothery, Registrar of the High Court of Admiralty, on the conduct of the officers of the "Palmerston" after the collision of the "Fran- 1060 conia" and the "Strathclyde," said, he did not anticipate any opposition to the Motion. It was on a matter which, attracted much public attention, and concerning which Questions were asked in Parliament. A charge was brought against those in charge of the tug Palmerston, belonging to the Dover Harbour Board, after the loss of the Strathclyde, that they had not done their utmost to save the lives of the survivors—a charge especially supported by the evidence of some Deal boatmen, who had themselves been eminently successful in their exertions. The Harbour Board, immediately after the sad accident, made some preliminary inquiries. For a considerable time it was probable that there would be an inquiry into the whole case by the Board of Trade, and the Harbour Board memorialized the Board of Trade to include the conduct of those in charge of the tug Palmerston in the inquiry. But other legal proceedings making any inquiry by the Board of Trade unnecessary, the Harbour Board determined to have a separate inquiry. They had doubts about the inquiry being usefully conducted by themselves. No member of the Board possessed the necessary legal and nautical experience and they were open to suspicion of local bias. In these circumstances they applied to Mr. Rothery, the learned Registrar of the High Court of Admiralty, and to two nautical Assessors recommended by the Board of Trade. Mr. Rothery had presented to them a clear and full Report, detailing all the circumstances of the case, and the proceedings by the Court of Inquiry. This Report they had officially transmitted to the Board of Trade. Mr. Rothery, with the full concurrence of the two nautical assessors, acquitted all persons concerned in the management of the Palmerston from all blame for the loss of life on the occasion of the loss of the Strathclyde, and added an explanation why it was natural that the Deal boatmen, who behaved so gallantly and so successfully in this matter, should have entertained at the time the views which they did as to the conduct of those on board the Palmerston; though had they been aware of the real reasons which influenced their conduct, they would have seen how groundless were their suspicions. In conclusion, he would avail himself of that public opportunity to thank Mr. Rothery and the Assessors 1061 for the trouble they had taken in the matter, and also to acknowledge the assistance which the Dover Commissioners had received in the matter from the Board of Trade.
§ Moved, That there be laid before the House, Report of Mr. Rothery, Registrar of the High Court of Admiralty, on the conduct of the officers of the "Palmerston" after the collision of the "Franconia" and the "Strathelyde."—(Earl Granville.)
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONsaid, he had nothing to find fault with in the statement made by his noble Friend, which was perfectly accurate; and he should not oppose the Motion.
§ Motion agreed to.