TRANSATLANTIC PACKET STATION COMMISSION.
85 the western entrance of the port—as dangerous a one as ever I attempted after nightfall—for we Replies to Qubbims.
appeared at one time surrounded by breakers.
No stranger could, I think, have succeeded at (No-70 night.
I would never attempt it again, except under circumstances where no choice was Gavt ~J~Z Scott left me.
v' ^jy-
•* Berehaven.
Once, in 1836, I entered this harbour by night, in H.M.S.
" President," of 50 guns, drawing 23 feet water.
Having made Black Bull Head clearly out before dark, I had no difficulty in getting to an anchor by the eastern entrance.
6.
I know no part of the world more hazardous than the navigation of the western coast of Ireland in the winter season.
My opinion so formed arises from the almost constant thick weather and frequent heavy gales of wind which are met with on that coast, always accompanied by a heavy rolling sea and swell from the Atlantic Ocean, having nothing to break its full range and accumulated force from the coast of America.
Heavy gales from the westward are almost invariably accompanied by rain and thick weather, so long as the wind remains to the south¬ ward of west.
Any vessel, under such circumstances, running for one of its ports, and should happen accidentally to be out of her reckoning two or three miles in her latitude, would incur a hazardous risk to a fearful degree; and if unfortunately she should touch the ground, inevitable and immediate destruction would be the result.
7.
Cork, undoubtedly.
8.
Instead of a lee shore, such as all the western ports present during a westerly gale, Cork, under such circumstances, becomes rather a weather one, and as such may be approached, proper precaution being taken, with the greatest safety in the thickest weather.
Once em¬ bayed on the m estern coast in heavy, thick weather, the only chance of salvation is the weather moderating or clearing up.
No such danger attends running for Cork.
9.
Mizen head.
« 10.
Cape Clear.
11.
Certainly not.
Nothing, under such circumstances, could tempt me, although I might feel the greatest possible confidence as to my true position.
In my opinion it, would be sheer madness to attempt it, under all the circumstances which the question involves.
12.
I should, for the reasons already assigned.
13.
In my humble judgment it would be the height of imprudence.
14.
Cork.
I have, &c, The Lord Hobart, Jas.
Scott, Sfc.
8?c.
Captain R.N.
Commander John B.
Cragg, R.N.
Commander John 1.
Three years.
B, Cragg, R.N.
2.
Three.
3.
Cork.
.
.
.
Once or twice a-week for nearly three years.
Long Inland .
4 Very frequently during the above period.
Crookhaven .
.
Ditto.
Berehaven .
.
Ditto.
Valentia \ T, , .
.
.
Tarbert I
' * ve never Deen in eitQer.
Galway .
.
.
Three or four times.
Dunmanus Bay .
Once.
4.
I consider Cork and Berehaven to be easy of access either by day or by night.
Long Island.
Easy of access by day, but not a place to run for in thick weather by night.
Crookhaven, Very easy of access, but the harbour is too narrow for steam-vessels of a large class.
Berehaven.
A good harbour; may be entered either by day or night.
I have frequently sailed from it in a man-of-war cutter drawing 13 feet water, and worked through the eastern passage by night.
Valentia and Tarbert.
I am not acquainted with either of these ports.
Galway and Dunmanus Bay.
I am not sufficiently acquainted with either of these ports to give an opinion.
5.
Yes; from Cork, Berehaven, and Crookhaven, during the time I was employed in command of H.M.
cutter " Speedy," for the suppression of smuggling.
6.
Hazardous on account of the heavy sea; thick and stormy weather in the winter season.
7.
Berehaven and Cork.
8.
Because I consider these ports to be more easy of access.
9.
Dursey Island, if running for Berehaven; Cape Clear, if running for Cork.
10.
Skelligs Light, if for Berehaven; Cape Clear (Fastnet Light), if running for Cork.
11.
Certainly not in all weathers.
12.
Yes, I Mould for Cork.
13.
I would have no hesitation in running for Cork.
14.
For Cork.
Captain Sir Robert Hagan, R.N.
Capt.
Sir Robert 1 and 2.
I resided 10^ years at Queenstown, eight of which I was the Inspecting Com-a^an' mander of Coast Guard.
3.
In and out of Cork harbour about four days every week during the above eight years, and twice or thrice into Long Island Sound and Crookhaven, but 1 never visited the others.
