§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHSeeing in his place the noble Lord who represents the Admiralty in this House, I beg to ask whether any definite information has been received respecting the disaster to H.M.S. Sultan?
§ LORD ELPHINSTONEThe Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean reports that the Sultan grounded on a rock or patch of rocks unmarked on the charts, and where deep water is shown. In fact, she is on the ten-fathom line, and 400 yards from the shore. Of course, whether this is due to defective survey or to recent volcanic action cannot at present be determined. The Commander-in-Chief has been instructed to cause every inquiry to be 3 made locally, from fishermen and others likely to know, as to whether anything was known of the exact position of this rock. The channel was surveyed in 1857. The circumstances of the stranding of the Sultan will be fully investigated by a court-martial that will be held at Portsmouth under the presidency of the Commander-in-Chief at that port.
§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHMay I ask whether any hopes are entertained of raising the vessel?
§ LORD ELPHINSTONEWe have no further information of any kind beyond the telegraphic despatch which I have read; but we expect to get fuller information to-morrow morning.