§ Sir W. Smilesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many ships have run aground between Ardglass and Donaghadee during the past seven years.
§ Mr. Barnes:I have been asked to reply. During the years 1939 to 1945 inclusive, 25 vessels are recorded to have stranded on the Irish coast between Ardglass and Donaghadee, comprising one in 1939 (on 20th September), three in 1940, three in 1941, II in 1942, three in 1943, three in 1944 and one in 1945 (on 22nd March). The disproportionately large figure in 1942 is chiefly due to the fact that six Royal Naval vessels ran aground on 31st January of that year. So far in 1946 one ship has grounded. The period in question consists of war years when navigation lights were reduced in power or totally extinguished, and other wartime measures added to the difficulty of navigation. All navigational aids were restored to normal in this area shortly after V.E.-Day, and an additional navigational aid is to be provided in the shape of a radio beacon at Mew Island.