asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will cause inquiries to be made into the sinking of the "s.s. Hill" on Sunday, 15th February, 1944, which resulted in the loss of the clothing of 11 seamen, who were rescued by the Wicklow lifeboat; if he will ensure that the crew are adequately compensated for the loss of their clothing and wages; if he will state the names of the owners of the ship; and what guarantees are given to crews, who take risks such as those on the "s.s. Hill", which was being taken to Dublin for repairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sinking of “s.s. Hill.”
It is not proposed to have inquiries made into the stranding of the "s.s. Hill", which was not registered in this country. I have power to compensate seamen for the loss of their effects and to contribute towards loss of wages, but only when such loss is attributable to circumstances connected with war and is sustained while the seamen are serving on Irish registered ships. Compensation for loss of effects and wages is normally a matter for settlement between the crew and the owners of the vessel. According to my information, the ship was owned by the Green Isle Shipping Company, 9 Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, and at the time of the stranding she carried a crew of seven (including the master). Any question of guarantee is one for arrangement at the time of engagement between the master, on behalf of the owners, and the crew.
Will the Minister say if the Government are prepared to give protection, through their Board of Trade regulations or through one of their Departments, to these men who were recruited to work on unseaworthy ships and bring them back, risking their lives and their possessions in doing so? Are those men not to receive some compensation or protection from the Government?
The Government are responsible for the seaworthiness of Irish ships only.
But this ship was purchased by an Irish company.
This ship was registered in England and was sailing from a British port.
It was purchased by an Irish company which had made arrangements to bring it here for registration. The registration was not completed. Eleven seamen, I understand, lost their clothing. I would like to know from the Minister if the Government will give some protection to seamen when they are put in such a difficult position as these men find themselves in to-day, with only dungarees to wear and their clothes at the bottom of the sea?
The Government are responsible for ships sailing only from Irish ports and Irish registered.