§ Mr. J. Evans113, 114 and 115. asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is satisfied that the anchor cables of the s.s. "Samtampa" off Porthcawl, though fitted with the regulation anchors and cables, had sufficient margin of strength to secure a ship in the prevailing severe weather at the time of her sinking;
(2) what tests, if any, have been carried out on the anchor cables of the s.s. "Samtampa" wrecked off Porthcawl on 23rd April, 1947; and if the results help to show what was the reason for the failure of the starboard cable;
(3) whether at the official inquiry upon the loss of the s.s. "Samtampa" sufficient stress was laid upon ascertaining the reason for the failure of the ship's anchors and cables.
§ Mr. BarnesThe Court of Formal Investigation which inquired into the sad loss of this ship went fully into the particular matter to which my hon. Friend refers and found that the starboard cable had parted—one of the joining links being fractured in the way of the securing pin. After receiving their report, I arranged for the chain shackles to be tested to destruction and it was found that the breaking load was much in excess of the statutory requirements. It is not possible to state what caused the fracture referred to by the court.