LORD MUSKERRYMy Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether they have given their consideration to the report of the formal investigation into the loss at Porthloe Cove, Cornwall, of the British ship "Khyber" with twenty-three lives; whether, with a view to avoiding, as far as possible, similar sacrifices of life in the future, they are intending to take any steps in carrying out the four suggestions contained in the report made by the three magistrates and three nautical assessors constituting the Court; whether they can assist in carrying out the recommendation of the Court regarding the Sennen lifeboat; and, further, whether they can see their way clear to act on the recommendation that a reward should be given to Charles Trenerry for his energy and promptitude in bringing intelligence regarding the "Khyber" to the coastguard station at Sennen.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Duke of MARLBOROUGH)My Lords, in replying to the noble Lord I would remind him that the report of the Court of inquiry suggested in the first place that the coastguard staff should always be kept up to such a strength at all times that every part of the coast might be. properly patrolled. I understand that the Admiralty, in reply to that recommendation, state that it is not a part of the duty of the coastguard to patrol the coast for the purpose of watching for casualties, and that the force must be always liable to be withdrawn or reduced at the discretion of the Admiralty.
883 With regard to the second and third recommendations, I understand that the Admiralty are prepared to consider them in a favourable light and are trying to carry them into effect. With regard to the fourth recommendation, that some improved method of communication between the mainland and adjacent lighthouses and lightships should be provided, a system of wireless telegraphy is now being tried to see whether these different points can be connected up, but no conclusion has yet been arrived at. The next recommendation was to the effect that improvements were required to enable the Sennen lifeboat to be launched in all weathers and at all states of the tide, and in connection with this it has been suggested that improvements should be made for the protection of the harbour against storms. As regards the first point the board are in communication with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and, as regards the second, they have intimated to the town authorities that they would approach the Treasury with a view to obtaining a grant for these purposes, provided that the town itself would contribute an adequate sum, but at present no reply has been received from the town.
There was another recommendation, that lighter transport carriages should be supplied for the rocket apparatus for use in this hilly country; but the Board of Trade cannot agree to the suggestion that the apparatus should be carried in three different carriages, because it is probable that in the event of the apparatus being required only a portion of it might be brought up. They, therefore, think it desirable that the strongest transport carriage should be used. As to the last Question, I am informed that both the Board of Trade and the Lifeboat Society gave. Charles Trenerry adequate remuneration, and they do not see their way to increase it.