Dr. MURRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware 85W that the town council of Stornoway have protested against the employment of the steamer "Gael" as being unsafe for the conveyance of passengers and mails across the Minch; and whether he can now give the result of his further inquiries into the suitability of this boat for the route on which she is engaged?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A Board of Trade surveyor has visited the "Gael" and reports that the accident on the 12th April was due to the breaking of the valve lever on the starboard engine, which smashed the valve gear, putting the starboard cylinder out of action. It would have been possible to return to Kyle with the port cylinder, but as the "Gael" had got into touch with the "Clydesdale" by wireless, it was considered that it would be quicker to have the vessel towed in. This was done, and the damaged parts of the machinery were in due course replaced. The second accident was on 21st April, when a delay of about two hours was caused by the breaking of the forward valve spindle on the starboard engine. It is considered that this was due to the overstraining of the spindle when the first breakdown occurred. The surveyor made a voyage in the vessel and examined the engines when running and stopped. He found that the replaced parts were satisfactory and that the engines ran smoothly. He also made a thorough examination of the hull, which was built of iron in 1867, and found it to be in good condition. The surveyor considers that there is no doubt that the vessel is suitable for conveying passengers across the Minch in stormy weather.