Foundered Ships There has been much uneasiness arising from the
recent unaccountable loss of certain ships at sea, and especially the steamships Blairgowrie ' and 'La Cres- centa.' The regulations of the Board of Trade in regard to seaworthiness and the manning of ships have been very carefully laid down, and for the most part are carefully enforced. But the loss of such a vessel as the Blairgowrie ' is disturbing. It was a ship of 3,000 tons gross. It was fulfilling prescribed conditions in carrying only two able-bodied seamen, though there were young deck-hands in addition. Mr. Runcirnan said that the deck complement was one man in excess of the minimum requirements. When losses at sea have aroused deep misgivings in the seaports it is proper that the most searching inquiry should be made ; and Mr. Buchanan was justified in asking that something more than a formal inquiry should be made to bring the full facts to light.
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