The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-04 00:00:00

HARBOUR OF REFUGE COMMISSION.

BRISTOL, Ocr. 2.
Her Majesty's Commissioners for inquiring as to
the necessity of establishing a harbour of re-
fuge in the Bristol Cnhanel, and who are also
charged to consider the best point at which to es-
tablish it, arrived in Kingroad this morning, in her
Majesty's ship Banshee, and at one o'clock [they
held a court at the Guildhall. The commissioners
are Vice-Admiral Hope, C.B. ; Capt. Washington,
hydrographer to the Admiralty; Capt. Vetch, R.E. ;
Capt. Sullivan, R.N., C. 8., Marine Department of
the Board of Trade ; Major-General Sir F. Smith ;
Mr. W. S. Lindsay, M.P. ; and Mr. John Coode,
C.E., of the Portland Breakwater. Mr. F. J.
Evans, of the Admiralty, attended the commission
as secretary.
The Corporation of Bristol were represented by
the city solicitor, Mr. W. Brice, Mr. R. P. King,
chairman of the Docks Committee, Mr. Jas. Poole,
Mr. W, P. King, &c. The Society of Merchant
Venturers, by its master and wardens ; the Cham-
ber of Commerce, by the chairman of its committee,
Mr. W. Terrell ; the secretary, Mr. Bruton, &c.
Mr. Cleagram attended from the port of Glouces-
ter, and Mr. Poole, as deputy chairman of the Taff
Vale Railway Company; and a director of two other
Welsh railway companies expressed the views of
the shipowners of Cardiff.
Admiral Hope, the chairman of the commis-
sioners (the commission having been formally
opened), explained the nature of the evidence which
the commissioners wished to receive. They wished
to ascertain the views of persons connected with
the maritime interests of the Bristol Channel as to
the establishment of a harbour of refuge primarily
with reference to the saving of life and property,
but also in relation as touching the convenience of
the trade. The gallant admiral explained
that the commissioners had been to places lower
down the Channel, and stated that they did not
invite engineering evidence, although they would
not reject'it.
Mr. Brice, in opening the case for the corpora-
tion of Bristol, expressed that body as being in
favour of Lundy Island, which was directly in the
course of the trade, centrally situated, and which
could be left at any state of wind. The corpora-
tion had no wish to speak slightingly of the merits
of any other spot, but they considered that, regard-
ing the whole trade of the Channel, neither Milford,
the Mumbles, Clovelly, nor Padstow, would at all
bear comparison with. Lundy. The learned gentle-
man further stated that the views of the Corpora-
tion of Bristol were shared in by those of Gloucester,
Bridgwater, Cardiff, and Newport.
Capt. Drew, havenmaster of the port of Bristol,
was examined, and gave a decided preference to
Lundy, which was open in the course of trade,
could be boldly run for, and could be left at any
point of wind. What would be required would be a
breakwater or pier on the east side of the island, on
which there was abundance of granite suited to the
formation of such a work. As far as the coasting
trade of the Channel was concerned Padstow would
be the best site ; but, looking to the entire trade of
the Channel, Lundy. When a ship was at Clovelly
and with the wind from the north-east, she would
be embayed. Swansea would not be so safe to run
for as Lundy, being surrounded by shifting sands.
Mr. James Poole, merchant, described the ne-
cessity for a harbour of refuge in the Channel, as
vessels, after going to the westward of Londy, were
often obliged to put back 80 miles to Kingroad or
Penrith. Owing to this circumstance vessels would
not leave the two roadsteads in doubtful winds, and
the roadsteads were kept crowded with shipping,
to the detriment of trade.
Mr. R. P. King, merchant, also described the
necessity of a harbour and spoke decidedly in favour
of Lundy, where vessels at present anchored. Ile
did not believe that Clovelly would be of any
service for the larger class of ships. A vessel in
Barnstaple Bay when caught might be glad to run
for Clovelly, but he did not think many would run
either for Clovelly or Swansea.
James Hall and John Gilmore, pilots of the
Bristol Channel, both were decidedly in favour of
Lundy as most in the course of ships, the best point
to run for and the best to leave, as vessels could do
so with almost any wind. There was good anchor-
age, the holding ground being excellent, and vessels
would use it now extensively if it were not for the
fear of being caught by east winds, in which case
they were sometimes compelled to slip their
anchors.
Mr. Rice, an inhabqant of Lundy island, gave
similar evidence.
Mr. Terrell, chairman of the Chamber of Com-
merce of Bristol, stated that, after receiving evi-
dence of practical persons, the chamber decided in
favour of Clovelly.
The inquiry then terminated.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, OCT. 2.—Mr. Com-
missioner Murphy has concluded the present sittings, and
Mr. Commissioner Phillips will sit on Tuesday week, the
19th inst., to hear bail cases and motions,