§ Mr. CROOKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance at sea on 16th January, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Man You on the steamer "Auchenblas," of Glasgow; whether any inquiry has been held, and, if so, by whom; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining, and how long he had served on the vessel; whether he was on duty at the time; whether he had any previous sea service; what amount of coal the engine-room hands were required to work each 24 hours; whether the engineer's log, as to the consumption of coal, has been produced for the inspection of the Board of Trade surveyor; what was the temperature of the engine-room; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?
Mr. TENNANTAn Asiatic fireman known as Man You was seen to drop from the "Auchenblas" when off Dendra Head, Ceylon, and swim towards a fishing boat, which presently made sail and outdistanced the ship's boat which was sent in pursuit. It is, therefore, not definitely known whether the man was drowned or not. It is supposed that he had shipped under a false name, as a bad discharge under another name was found amongst his effects. Inquiry was made by the shipping master at Bombay, and further in-1020W quiry will be made on the arrival of the vessel in this country. I am informed that it is the practice in this vessel for all seamen to be medically examined before joining. This man had served eight days in the "Auchenblas," and professed to have had previous sea service as fireman. The owners state that the consumption of coal was 30 tons of Indian coal per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers 12. As the vessel has not been in this country since the occurrence, the engineer's log has not been seen by the Board of Trade Surveyors. The temperature of the engine-room was 106, and of the stokehold 98. Two other cases of suicide in this vessel have been reported during the last three years.