The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-27 00:00:00

unanim-;usly condemned in the house, and therefore he
hopsd the Government would feel that, ad a great mari-
time people, it was our duty to provide for the security
not only of the lives and properties of our fellow-subjects
but also those of foreigners who visited our coasts for the
purpose of commerce. (Elear.)
Lord A. V. TEMPEST bore his cordial testimony to
the ability and fairness with which the chairman of the
committee bad presided over its pr :ceedings and entered
into details to show that the north-eastern coast had a
more especial claim to consideration than any other part
of the coast mentioned in the report of the cora-
mittee. He also urged upon the First Lord of the
Admiralty the great necessity there was that the corn-
Luis ion about to be appointed should be impartially con-
stituted, and especial 'y that the ergineers connected
with it should 13,, men free from all local prejudice.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said, having already stated, in
answer to a question put to him the other evening by the
hen, member for Devonport, that it was the intention of

the Government to grant this commission, it was unne-
cessary that he should attempt. to follow the speakers
who had taken part in this debate. But he could not
help saying that be quite agreed with the hon. gentle-
men oppesite (Mr. Wilson) in the opinion that the cent"
inittee had done full ju-tics to this important subject'
(Hear, hear.) He had read with great interest their
able report, which he thought fully justified her Majes-
ty's Government in conceding the commiesion. It would
he the wish of the Government, in the constitution of
that commission, to provide as far as they possibly could
for its strict impartiality ; and he hoped, on the part ef
the house, there would be no indisposition to provide
the necessary funds fo' carrying out objects so extremely
iniportent for the protection of shipping, which had in'
creased and was still increasing with such astonishing
rapidity, and which was so closely' connected with the
wealth and prosperity of the country. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DODSON complained that the wreck chart apt
pended to the report indicated only the number of
vessels lost, and not the comparative value of the pro-
petty or the number of lives; and he contended that if
the value of the shipping wrecked and the number of
the lives lost were taken as the test, the southern west
would have an equal, if not greater, claim for considers'
tion Thin the coast between Flamborough Head and Sr'
Aeb's Head, which had been described as the most dot' •
gerous. It appeared that in the five years from 1852 to
1856 inclusive 763 vessels were wrecked between Fleas'
borough Head and St. Abb's, while between Portsmouth
and Dover only 177 vessels were wrecked in the same-, •
period. But be found, on referring to the registers
kept at the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, that,
the 763 vessels wrecked between Flamborough Be "
end St. Abb's involved the lose of 260 lives, while tb°
177 vessels wrecked between Portsmouth and Dover
involved the loss of as many as 218 lives. The hoe.
member for Teignmouth had spoken as if the committee
had come to a decision with reference to the mode 0`
paying the expenses that might be incurred, but the
committee had made no distinct recommendation on the
subject.
Sir F. SMITH thanked the Government for having
once consented to appoint a commission, and though'
the question of the expense might be deferred till
future occasion. ot
Mr. CLAY was glad to find that the Government
had so readily conseoted to grant a commission. fr'l
erection of harbours of refuge was a national duty,
the advantage derived from them would not be.c°,a:
fined to the shipping interest alone. He hoped le;
Government would not, in this case, fall into the err
which had so much prevailed of late years, that per':
cular classes of the community ought to pay for Vo‘...
were great national works. (Hear, hear.) When t''"
commission reported it would be time to consider th:
best mode of paying the expenses, but he hoped theft°
would not be lost sleht of, that these harbours of rail
would be for the benefit of the whole community, ae
not of the shipping interest only.
Mr. M'CANN moved, in addition to Mr. Wila°,a
motion, that the commissioners be instructed to to
the harbour of Skerries, in the county of Dublin, ao
report upon its capabilities and circumstances as a Is'
for a barbour of refuge.
Mr. INGHAM had no doubt that, wider the terra! 0
their commission, the cominisioners would have,iflo,
power to institute the inquiry suggested by his 0
friend. He hoped, however, that the whole body of to
commissioners would not be expected to inquire Or
the four divisi •ns of 'be qsestien which bad been
c-ommended for consideration, but that the work vreao
ets
be distribet d among them in such a manner that tis ry,
it quiriss might be brought to a simultaneous conclolo
Mr. YOUNG observed that only one hoe. mee3
connected with the ports on the eastern coast had oihe
placed upon the committee ; but as representing s-,abit
mouth,
he might statethat his constituents regardedllo,
n ;jeot with c ineiderable interest. 1 he harbour accons°o
dation at Yarmouth was amply pufficient for the true{
of the port, but the place was in time of war a eaiof
station of great importance, and an immense am00e"00
shipping passed through the roads every year. to.
thought, th,refore, that the attention of the coeles
sieners ought to be special y directed t that part of 0
coast. As many as 2,000 ships bad been known to P*o
Yarmouth Roads in a day ; there were frequently filo,
1,000 to 1,400 vessels of various sizes at anchor ie.
roans ; and there was scarcely ever a gale, espeolo,o
from N.N.E., or S.S.We in which loss of life didies
occur. Efficient shelter for shipping might be preeltes
by c; imperatively small expenditure, and he hoped to
attention of the commissioners would be directed to
su, tea.
Mr. RIDLEY expressed his satisfaction at the skis:merit of the bon, member for Devonport, and his oellitlte
tion that if the commissioners followed the course of
~"
quiry suggested by the committee the result of to
investigation would be most adVantageous, not 01" J. of
the maritime:interests of Great Britain, but to thDa"
the whole world, ei
Mr. DUFF said, the committee did not receive bet
tidal as to the desirableness of constructing ether
tidal harbours of refuge. He wished to know vrbLece
there would be any opportunity of laying such evt"," of
before the commission. (Hear, hear.) Many Par'i-oga
the coast of Scotland required small harbours of o'oo
and it was owing to the want of such that 42 se sot.
lost their lives some months ago on the Banffsbire o'ol
Mr. HAMILTON did not know why no evidence 600
taken with reference to Skerriet'. It was not tbeinteveote
of his hon, friend, be believed, to exclude from o°,o
sideration of the commission any particular lee' ttei
They would exercise their judgment with referenCe Woe.
locality that might seem to require a harbour of re 00t
(Hear.) But the main object of this commission 00
he understood, to direct attention to such great barb otei
of refuge as were necessary for the protection of lif°ol4
property. His hon. friend the member for Dev°::biell
was entitled to great praise for the ability and reel Nd be
he had bestowed upon this subjec`, and there cerpid be
no doubt tbst the labours of the commission svo°„' nits_
attended with most beneficial results. He was `te‘leoe-
sure that her Majesty's Government would plat) "'eri'
the commission gentiemed in whose talents and elr
ence the publ c would have the greatest confidence' t to
Mr. PHILIPPS thought it would be inexPediegtte
name any lecality in the resolution, and approveasto
remarks of the hon. gentleman opposite (Mr. El° ,
the construction of small tidal harbours of refuge. cold
Mr. HATCHELL hoped that the commission vr
direct their attention to the coast cf Wexford. hot'
Lord H. VANE was glad that the GovernneeD"f life
assented to the issue of a commission. The loss ° eise
and property along our coasts had, owing to the in hid'
of ciimmerce, greatly increased of late years. tie an
gated most gratifying results from the commission. 04
Admiral WALCOTT thought that great praisewolli
due to the committee for the ability and judgolleD‘t;no
which they had fulfilled their task. The fornss"sor;
these harbours would unquestionably effect a grea"„t ol'
iog of life and property, and that was the dot,'
Governments. (Hear, hear) He knew from °See*
experience That to avoid the payment of harbour ee
ships had been wrecked and lives lost and therefDnritoe
trusted that the commission would direct their ette"eille
to those dues. He was confident that when the 021-orlo
mien made their report the house would not be Digg-
in the performance of its duty. yoQe
Mr. WILSON briefly replied, and expressed ° *
that the boo, gentleman the member for Dr(,)ght
would not press his amendment, because he rnig, for
satisfied, after what had been said by the Secrete"„iged'
the Treasury, that the subject would not buoveri°'
After a few words trom Mr. J. H. HAMILTON/
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said that the benefit., teef
anticipated from harbours of refuge would be lost 1,41er
were not freely open to every flag. He would boor)
consent to laying a passing toll upon ships for hat co'
of refuge, but he would readily concur in voting al,
siderable sum of money to avert the scandal arising, 00f
the great loss of life which occurred every year OP°
chores.
Captain MANGLES raid that unless the consi:Dif4,leel
which was about to be appointed exercised a greeted
of caution a large amount of money would be wave 0'
very little purpose. The idea of harbours of refea:boet
remarkably popular with shore going men, and Wit et 1;
members who represented seaports—end no de,- th,",
looked very pretty upon paper—but until 101'00,
foreign and the coasting trade should be carried Ow,
more generally than it was at present by steerDo,ol
Ss
harbours of refuge world be really vain and tl,Oll
things. An experienced seaman navigating "0 °Yoe
vessel always avoided the shore when a gale 0a
cosh"
and he did not think, theref ire, that the adva Ov,d'
which kind and philanthropic people were apt ';'t frfre
bute to harbours of refuge were likely to rowel 1'
their more general establishment. He cautie_ rope
r
Government to be careful bow they listened suepor;
sentations from the county of Wexford and distaD' o
the inhabitants of which were all anxious to 100'
10;
boors, and not to be led away by the idea that tbe r deg
Of the
ante upon vessels which had to pass harbour's e so to
would be lessened in consequence. He poll:Awe fiog
le
hardship imposed upon London shipowners in ha it 05
pay duties f .r passing Ramsgate harbour, vale% tato
notorious that ships of a certain burden could 'rt. ihedt
it, and ir stead:of mult'plying the occasion' ifloiei
imposts he called upon the Government to Di
those which already existed.
Mr. M'CANN withdraw his amendment, an
The motion was agreed to. eceoew"
The house adjourned at a quarter before 10 se
e +boo

TEE LIFE GUARDS.—On the occasion of one v-eiliva
dt,i,inguished regiments being orckrutt act'vetebede,l
Lhe otuer day to Aleershot, a wealthy capta'n Gene
9l
his resignation, which his Royal Highnivs this% colc:0
Commanding-in-Chief declined to accept, and "tio- retl3,lo
leis sleet) prevailed upon the gallant ciptain riod
in the regiment, and undergo for a short P,e,cere
vicissitudes of camp life. particularly as nn °Tootoll'
now b ) o,)•ained flr the ILusehold Btigade
rn'ted &nice Gazette,

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