§ Mr. BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has communicated with Lloyd's in reference to the cases of the ss. "Derwent" and the Dun-doe steamer "Ruby," both of which were classed as 100A1, though in so unseaworthy a condition that they were detained by the Board of Trade's officers, the ss. "Derwent" having defective hull, machinery, and equipment, and the ss. "Ruby," which was subsequently broken up, being found to have a defective hull; and, if communications have been made, whether he can state the nature of the answers?
Mr. TENNANTNo official communication was sent to Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping in these cases. I am informed that the "Derwent" was due for her periodical survey by Lloyd's Register, and, after being detained at Cardiff in December, 1908, she was temporarily repaired and allowed to proceed to Appledore for completion of repairs under Lloyd's survey. At that port the whole of the requirements of Lloyd's periodical survey was completed, and her class continued. The "Ruby" was laid up in the Tyne awaiting her periodical survey by Lloyd's Register. She came under survey on 22nd January, 1909, and, after partial examination, the owner decided not to repair the vessel. She was detained in June last at South Shields, but on being temporarily repaired was allowed to be towed to Sunderland, where she was subsequently broken up.