§ Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British ships that have been lost through defective steering gear; whether the British steamer "Blairgowrie" was lost through 2266W this cause; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Dr. BURGINDuring the present winter two British ships, the s.s. "Usworth" and the s.s. "Blairgowrie," have been lost following a breakdown of steering gear, but as other serious damage was sustained by these vessels during exceptionally heavy weather, it cannot be held that their loss was due directly to this cause. Special inquiry is being made in my Department into the general question of steering gear on merchant vessels, as well as into the particular casualties mentioned.