§ SIR JOHN HAYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he has read a Report, in the ordinary sources of information, of the serious injuries which are said to have occurred to H.M.S. "Neptune," and requested him to state accurately what is the real amount of damage which that ship has sustained?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes, Sir; I have seen the Report to which the right hon. and gallant Admiral refers, and it contains a great exaggeration of the facts regarding the Neptune. The practical officers, who have examined the ship in dock, report that some defective arrangements and workmanship exist in the fastening of the wooden sheathing with which the hull is cased. These defects will, at no very distant period, require remedy; but any evil that exists does not extend to, or in any way affect, the iron hull itself, and the ship is quite in a condition to proceed to 8ea, and join the Channel Squadron as intended.